Bath Rugby's extraordinary result against Leicester Tigers at the weekend – a 45-0 thrashing – suggests that they will be the side to watch this season, especially with the imminent arrival of rugby league star Sam Burgess.
The game would have held particular interest for Lewis Moody, a former player for both teams and now director of rugby at Bradford on Avon RFC. He is one of many looking forward to seeing Burgess cross codes.
"I think it is particularly difficult for those guys trying to convert from league to union to step into a technical position like forwards or back row, where you have the lineout, scrums and breakdown to deal with. Just put him in the centre, give him the ball and see what he can do," said Moody.
"Post Christmas is the the most important time. It doesn't matter what you do until then as long as you get it right in the last half of the year."
The former England captain and World Cup winner also shared his thoughts on the delayed naming of the national side's elite squad, which this year will happen in October.
"It creates a lot more excitement," he said. "There's probably more nervous energy for the players and it lets the coaches pick on form. Building up to the World Cup in 2015 the pressure on the players will be building now – it's a massive season for rugby and for the Premiership."
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