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Having narrowly avoided relegation and merger with [[Bristol Shoguns|Bristol]] in the 2002/2003 season, the club invested heavily in its squad, with no fewer than 15 changes in personnel during the summer of 2003. [[Jack Rowell]] and Michael Foley recruited wisely and the appointment of John Connolly as Head Coach helped gel the players into a formidable unit and the team ended the regular season at the top of the table six points clear of [[London Wasps|Wasps]], but lost in the play-off final match at [[Twickenham]].
Bath finished 4th at the end of the 2004/2005 season and qualified for the European Cup in 2005/2006. The club reached the [[Powergen Cup]] final after a dramatic extra-time try by Andy Williams in the semi-final against [[GloucesterRFC|Gloucester]], but lost to [[Leeds Tykes|Leeds]] at [[Twickenham]] after a poor display. The pack continued to dominate but, with a backline once again decimated by injuries, many bemoaned the 10-man rugby displayed by Bath. Two players, [[Matt Stevens]] and [[Danny Grewcock]], were selected for the [[2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand|Lions tour to New Zealand]]. Coach John Connolly, having announced that he would return to Australia at the end of the season, remains at the club until his successor is appointed.
Well known Bath players from the recent history of the club include [[Jeremy Guscott]]; [[Dan Lyle]], one of the first [[United States|Americans]] to play regularly in Britain; England captain [[Phil de Glanville]]; and [[Andy Robinson]], an assistant coach of the [[Rugby World Cup]]-winning England side who is now the England team's head coach.
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