Bath - Back In The Big Time

Bath director of rugby Jack Rowell insisted it will take something special if Bath are to return to their European glory days...

The men from The Rec are back in Heineken Cup action after a two-year absence and Rowell admitted it will take a huge effort to reclaim the trophy the won in 1998.

But Rowell admitted it came as no surprise to see the Westcountry outfit up against quality sides in the groups stages, with the likes of Leinster, Benetton Treviso and Bourgoin all paired together in Pool Two.

"This is a massive challenge for us," he said. "The Heineken Cup is the pinnacle of the club game in the Northern Hemisphere and every club strives to get there so we are bound to find ourselves in a pool full of excellent sides like this.

"There is going to be no easy game because to become champions of Europe takes something special. "It is going to be tough but something we will all strive to achieve."

Bath coach John Connolly, who has already tasted Heineken Cup action with Stade Francais, echoed Rowell's sentiments.

"It's a tough competition to qualify for and now we're here we find ourselves in an incredibly tough pool. "Leinster are among the best in Ireland while Bourgoin are an extremely physical side and Treviso will also be a big challenge."