Ollie Lawrence reckons it is time for Bath to take things to new heights in today’s Champions Cup semi-final against Bordeaux-Begles.
Last year, head of rugby Johann van Graan’s side won the Prem, Prem Cup and Challenge Cup hat-trick, but it will be a whole different ball game against the holders at Stade Atlantique this afternoon.
Currently second in the league, Bath have put away Saracens and Northampton Saints in the knockout stages and now face Louis Bielle-Biarrey and his Kings of Europe in their own backyard.
Whoever wins today’s showdown will take on Leinster in the final on May 23 in Bilbao after Leo Cullen’s side overcame Toulon 29-25 in Dublin yesterday.
Step up
Centre Lawrence insists Bath have got the tools to get the job done in France – they have just got to step up.
The 26-year-old said: “We have reached a point where we feel we are ready to kick on to another level.
“We did well last season and the boys won the Challenge Cup, but to get through to the deep knockout stages here is even better.
“The way we’ve grown over the last three and a bit years, we’re at a point now where everyone should be pretty familiar with how each other plays. There’s no second place.
“We’ll see what happens after the full-time whistle goes, but I think if we put our best foot forward and play the way that we’ve played for the last couple of seasons now, then we give ourselves the best opportunity to go out there and beat them.”
Determined
This time last year, Lawrence was sidelined after rupturing his Achilles in England’s Six Nations clash with Italy and felt like a spare part for some of the treble celebrations.
This time around, he is determined to be involved at the sharp end as Bath challenge for honours on two fronts.
He added: “It is not easy. I probably felt a bit detached from the Challenge Cup last season because I didn’t actually play any games in it.
“So, as much as I was buzzing for the boys to be lifting silverware, I felt less involved in that than I did in the Prem.
“I was happy for the squad to win three trophies, whatever they may be, is a fantastic achievement.
“It was a special season, but part of me now is wanting to see if I can do the same and actually be on the field this year.”
Superstars
Lawrence, Finn Russell and co might be the superstars on the field, but Van Graan, who arrived in 2022, has put the squad back together after they finished rock bottom in the Premiership.
“Whenever he talks to the group, it always seems like he’s 10 steps ahead of everyone else, even though he’s telling us to stay present at that moment,” said Lawrence.
“He’s already meticulously thought and planned how things are going to look. You could probably have spoke to him in December and he probably would have predicted that we would be playing Bordeaux in the semi-final just because of how he sees pictures unfold and how much he believes and backs the team.
“He’s a facilitator. He makes us all feel like we are the best players in the world.”
On emulating the Bath heroes of 1998, Lawrence added: “The biggest thing that Johann talks to us about as a team, as a club, is we’re trying to create our own history, but it all starts with one game at a time.
“Of course, we’d like to create our own legacy, do well in this competition, but the main thing is making sure each and every one of us go out there at the weekend and give the best version of ourselves.”
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