Stuart Hooper describes the atmosphere among the Bath Rugby squad as "a very rigorous environment – if you're not doing something right, you will be told."
There is something reassuring in the captain's plain speaking but will a rigorous, critical training regime be enough to enable Bath to finally crack the Top Four Conundrum?
In short, no. A superb work ethic and esprit de corps is important but they are not sufficient for success. You still need some stellar performances in the big games; you need the goal kicks to be nailed in the big games; and you still need the rub of the green with the ref in the big games.
But Bath should be confident of making the Aviva Premiership play-offs this season. Under the tutelage of Neal Hatley, the pack fronted up superbly last season and that muscle has been supplemented by the arrival of Henry Thomas.
The club's back-line is still youthful but if the likes of Anthony Watson and Semesa Rokoduguni can continue the trajectories of their rapid improvement then the back three will take some stopping.
Bath's depth at fly-half is an issue. There's no doubting George Ford's pre-eminence but who does Mike Ford pick as back-up should the England fly-half get injured? There is no obvious choice. Ollie Devoto? Gavin Henson? It will be interesting to see.
But what of Bath's rivals for a top-four finish?
Leicester are being seen in some quarters as something of a fading force but that's a premature opinion to draw and a touch naive.
For the first time since the Battle of Balaclava, the Tigers missed out on making a Premiership final last season. So, by their own exceedingly high standards, it was a disappointing campaign but that hardly constitutes a side in freefall.
And Richard Cockerill will just love the fact that they are being 'got at'. If the Tigers develop a siege mentality, then that could be dangerous for the rest of the Premiership.
Northampton will still be on cloud nine after doing the double last season – and nine is the operative number for the Saints. Their inventive scrum-half Kahn Fotuali'i is pivotal in making them tick, alongside Tom Wood. If those two perform, then it's usually curtains for the opposition.
Saracens might not have secured any silverware last season but they still made two finals and set a record for the most championship points scored during the regular Premiership season. I'd stake my mortgage on them making the top four.
Harlequins are the most obvious prey for Bath and I – along with a whole bunch of others, I suspect – am intrigued at the prospect of the notoriously abrasive Joe Marler being captain. A stroke of genius or a self-inflicted handicap? Time will tell.
But I back Bath to make the semis this season. If they don't, it will be an under-performance.
What do you think?
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