Johann van Graan beams as Bath produce the extraordinary

Johann van Graan added a famous European night to his stunning CV since taking charge of Bath. He had every reason to beam as the hosts made it to the Investec Champions Cup semi-finals for the first time in 20 years. And did so in the most extraordinary way against Northampton’s Saints.

Van Graan has turned Bath from Prem basement dwellers into Prem champions, EPCR Challenge Cup champions and now Investec Champions Cup semi-finalists.

Bath won 43-41 against Northampton’s Saints, having trailed 28-7 after 25 minutes and 35-14 after 30 minutes.

Saints, last season’s beaten finalists, scored five tries in the first half-an-hour, but could only manage two penalties in the final 50 minutes, as Van Graan, a picture of calm despite the early scoreline, relied on his super sub bench, which included the in-form Springboks prop Thomas du Toit.

The match, for any neutral, was great value, and for many up north there may just be a bigger appreciation of the golden years of Super Rugby.

Back then Super Rugby was always mocked for being basketball, but Bath’s six tries to five win was the equal of many of those glorious matches in the southern hemisphere.

Bath flyhalf Finn Russell was magical and played a leading role in the miracle comeback and scrumhalf and captain Ben Spencer was as crucial in ensuring composure.

The fight back reinforces the growth of Bath from the team that faded in last season’s Investec Champions Cup Pool Stages.

Bath have lived with the expectation and turned a potential burden into a medal of courage and belief.

Individuals know their roles and the squad clearly understands the collective.

This is a squad that plays with as much humility as authority.

It starts with the coach and the on-field performance is an extension of his character.

The former Bulls and Springboks assistant coach, who spent five seasons coaching Munster before the move to Bath, is among the leading coaches in the sport.

What he has built in the past three and a half seasons is remarkable. He had an appreciation of the soul of this club and he found that what stirred the golden generation of Bath in their 1997/98 European title triumph, was present in the current generation.

The Investec Champions Cup markets itself as the greatest club rugby competition in the world and a tournament in which players and teams produce the extraordinary.

Bath v Saints was a salute to the competition’s marketing team and a great advertisement for the sport.

It was also a statement that the sport has never been healthier.