Cohesion is the key as forward Jordan Martin and back Ed Rimmer are named as Team Bath BUCS Super Rugby co-captains
Jordan Martin and Ed Rimmer want to continue building a ‘cohesive’ club culture after being named as co-captains of Team Bath for the 2019-20 BUCS Super Rugby season.
The forward and back will share the leadership responsibilities as Team Bath – sponsored by Fulkers Bailey Russell – look to take another step forward after recording a top-three finish last season, the club’s best BUCS Super Rugby campaign so far.
Lock Martin said: “It’s a massive honour to be co-captain with Ed, it’s a big opportunity for both of us and I think it’s going to be a good season.”
Scrum-half Rimmer, who scored a memorable try in last year’s Anniversary Game victory at The Rec, added: “Will Britton was captain in my first year and it was Tom Doughty last year, and both led by example. It’s an honour to follow them and be captain alongside Jordan.
“We’re good friends off the pitch and hopefully that mix of leadership in the backs and forwards will give the team cohesion. We have both been in and around the 1sts and 2nds during our three years here, we know what it is like throughout the club.”
The co-captains both combine playing rugby with studying Sports Performance at the University of Bath, with Martin saying: “The course looks at nutrition, strength and conditioning, player management and the coach-athlete relationship, which all links very well with playing rugby.
“I’m excited for the season ahead. I suffered a knee ligament injury in the penultimate league game against Exeter last season but I’m back in training now and looking forward to getting back on the pitch.
“In terms of team goals, it is all about building on last year. We reached the BUCS Super Rugby semi-finals again and were unfortunate to lose to Hartpury. We continue to target the top four but hopefully that includes being in the final this time.
“As well as the freshers, there are a lot of boys from the 3rds and 4ths coming through and stepping up to the plate, so I’m looking forward to seeing how they get on. We work as a ‘1s and 2s squad’ as we need a big squad who are all up to speed with the way we play. Morale has been great in training and there are positive signs of team culture and cohesion, things are looking good.”
Rimmer has also been impressed with the squad during the first fortnight of pre-season training, adding: “We have a really talented group of players, a lot of promising freshers and Academy lads from clubs like Bath Rugby which shows the strong partnership we have with them.
“As a 1s and 2s squad we have spoken about targets in training and we just want to build on last year. We are always demanding better of ourselves, we are always looking to push people to improve on and off the pitch.”
Aaron James, Head of Rugby at the University of Bath, said: “We are fortunate in that we have many players who have the leadership skills to be captain and we know that under Ed and Jordan’s captaincy they will help lead a talented squad of players on and off field.
“It will be good for Jordan and Ed to share the load and, with one being a forward and the other a back, they will also provide balance across the squad. Both have developed as better players and people over their first two years here and deserve this leadership opportunity.”
Team Bath will begin the 2019-20 BUCS Super Rugby season away to South West rivals Exeter on Wednesday, September 25.
Their first ‘home’ fixture will be at The Rec on Wednesday, October 16 (6.30pm) as the Anniversary Game returns to Bath Rugby’s iconic home ground for a fourth successive year.
Cardiff University are providing the opposition this year and the match – the highlight of the University’s student sporting calendar – is once again being sponsored by the Iesis Group.
Entry is free as it is for all home BUCS Super Rugby matches during the 2019-20 season, with the other fixtures taking place on the athletics infield at the University of Bath Sports Training Village.
