As the season resumes, Bath Rugby alongside their fellow Premiership teams have committed to tackling and eradicating issues of racism in sport and society.

On Wednesday, Premiership Rugby announced a renewed commitment to making English professional club rugby a more diverse, welcoming and inclusive environment for all staff, players and fans alongside support for societal change.

Ahead of the opening match against London Irish at the Rec this afternoon, the players will demonstrate a unified front for this commitment to equality by forming a circle and kneeling together before kick-off. As a British serving soldier, Semesa Rokoduguni will exemplify solidarity and respect by standing to attention. Together, united as one, we are stronger.

Over the past few weeks, a player group from across the Premiership clubs and including Ugo Monye and James Bailey have discussed at length the challenges faced by black people both within the game, within sport and across society more widely.

Commenting on the Rugby Against Racism campaign ahead of the match, Anthony Watson said: “We have a responsibility not just to rugby but across the board to support Rugby Against Racism and demonstrate that support.

"Across the playing group, we have talked about the issues, particularly in light of the heightened awareness of the Black Lives Matter movement, and we are united in supporting equality and educating each other on this issue.

“We want our actions to mean something. Every player has a choice on how to do this personally, in addition to our decision as a playing group ahead of the game. This is why we stand together in a circle of unity, and respect each individual's choice whether they take the knee."

Bath Rugby support Rugby Against Racism campaign

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