LAWRENCE Dallaglio believes high-flying Bath can mount a serious bid to win the Investec Champions Cup and pull English rugby back to the top of the European rugby.

Europe’s premier club competition has not featured an English finalist since Exeter Chiefs lifted the trophy in 2020, with French giants Toulouse and Stade Rochelais winning twice each.

However, Dallaglio thinks Bath have the tools to end that streak as they prepare for a mouth-watering opening game against Stade Rochelais on Friday night.

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Dallaglio will be behind the mic on Premier Sports for its live match coverage from The Rec on opening night in the competition.

He joins the stellar Premier Sports team of Martin Bayfield, Simon Zebo, John Barclay, Andy Goode, Nick Heath and Ryan Wilson on Friday night with live coverage from 7.30pm on Premier Sports 1.

“It’s great to have the tournament back with a bang,” the two-time winner as a player said. “Bath are top of the Premiership table and opening up against La Rochelle, it’s a big game between two big clubs and two former winners.

“Bath, perhaps a long time ago and La Rochelle more recently, but two very famous clubs when it comes to the Champions Cup.

“Bath have started the season very well and I, as one or two others have, have earmarked them as being able to go a little bit further in the competition this year.

“I don’t want to put too much pressure on Bath, but I have always felt that they have the ability to do something in this competition because of the depth of their playing staff and the nice balance they have got in their coaching and playing squad.

“I do feel they are well-suited to this competition.”

Dallaglio believes that English teams were the surprise package in the Champions Cup last season with three teams reaching the last eight, with Harlequins and Northampton Saints making the final four.

Premiership champions Northampton Saints have seen a downturn in form in the league this season, but former England stalwart Dallaglio believes they have been a victim of their own success.

He added: “Northampton are struggling this season to reproduce the consistency of last year.

“But only because their players are getting international recognition and that has a knock-on effect as well as one or two players have left.”

Dallaglio will be part of a 34-strong TV team delivering the Champions and Challenge Cup for Premier Sports, the new broadcasters of international club rugby's premier competitions. Premier Sports will cover 80 live games throughout the tournament including the Finals on May 23/24.

Dallaglio believes Premier Sports' extensive experience of delivering live rugby to fans across the UK will put them in good stead.

“I am delighted to be part of the Premier Sports team, having competed in the Champions Cup for a long time and won it twice, this is a tournament I am very proud of and passionate about.

“We have assembled an astounding team of rugby people who know the game, these competitions and the players and clubs competing in it and we'll be there for every minute of every game throughout the tournament.

“Premier has experienced pedigree in delivering competitions, they already deliver URC and Top 14 so know how it should be delivered.”

Rugby on another level - Premier Sports is the new home of Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup with 80 games live throughout the competition. Premier Sports is available in the UK from £10.99 a month and is available on Sky, Virgin and Amazon Prime. Premier Sports also streams online via dedicated apps on a wide range of devices and platforms. Visit: www.premiersports.tv to sign-up.