2002-03: Finalists

Bath first reached the Challenge Cup final in 2002-03, overcoming GRAN Parma (97-22 on aggregate) and Bridgend (63-28 on aggregate) over the opening two rounds.

They then booked their place in the showpiece game by scraping wins in thrilling two-legged contests against Montauban (48-45 on aggregate) and Saracens (57-57 on aggregate), their semi-final success coming courtesy of a superior try count (6-5).

The final was a high-scoring affair at Madejski Stadium, but it was Wasps who claimed the trophy after running in six tries for a 48-30 win.

2006-07: Finalists

Bath made it to the final again four years later, winning all six of their Pool 4 games, home and away against Montpellier Hérault Rugby, Harlequins and Connacht Rugby.

They thrashed Bristol 51-12 in a home quarter-final before edging out Saracens again in the semi-finals, this time thanks to a 31-30 win at Vicarage Road.

ASM Clermont Auvergne awaited in the final at Twickenham Stoop and it was the French side who clinched the title as they marched to a 22-16 victory.

2007-08: Champions

Bath finally secured the trophy in 2007-08, after seeing off Auch, Overmach Rugby Parma and Albi home and away in the pool stage.

They then breezed past Leeds Carnegie (57-5) in the quarter-finals at The Recreation Ground and conquered another domestic rival in Sale Sharks (36-14) to book a second European final in two years.

And it was third time lucky as tries from Jonny Faamatuainu and Nick Abendanon helped them to a 24-16 triumph over Worcester Warriors at Kingsholm Stadium.

2013-14: Finalists

Another strong campaign was kickstarted by six pool stage wins from six, with Bath racking up 243 points in home and away successes against Dragons, Union Bordeaux-Bègles and Rugby Mogliano.

They then cruised to a 39-7 home win over CA Brive in the quarter-finals before a second-half Rob Webber try double saw them beat Wasps 24-18 in the last four at Adams Park Stadium.

However, Northampton Saints recovered from seven points down at half-time to win 30-16 at Cardiff Arms Park, after Anthony Watson’s breakaway try and 11 points from the boot of George Ford had put Bath within sight of a second title.

With the pool draw for the 2022/23 EPCR Challenge Cup completed, we are looking at the clubs returning to the competition and the highlights of their past appearances, with Bath Rugby up next.