Head coach Gary Gold comfortable with Bath expectations

Bath head coach Gary Gold has said he is comfortable with the expectations from the club and supporters.

The 44-year-old South African joined in May as part of a new backroom team that included Toby Booth, Neal Hatley, Mike Ford and Brad Davis.

"I come from a background in Cape Town where levels of expectation are as high as they are here in Bath," he told BBC Points West.

"I'm used to expectations and I'm happy with them, I'm excited about them."

Gold gained Premiership experience during a three-season stint with London Irish before joining Super Rugby franchise the Stormers, and then filling in as head coach at Western Province.

He went on to spend four years as forwards specialist with South Africa under head coach Peter de Villiers.

"Western Province is a proud, traditional rugby province just like Bath is a traditional rugby club," Gold added.

"The similarities are certainly there and, with the last four years coaching the national team, I don't need to tell you how passionate the South Africans are about their rugby.

"We're here to do a job and the expectations are we have to become a winning team as quickly as possible."

Gold has taken over after a disappointing year with Ian McGeechan at the Rec, where the club failed to win any trophies or qualify for the Heineken Cup.

He moved to Bath following a five-month stint at Newcastle where, although he managed to turn around results, was unable to stop the Falcons from finishing bottom of the Premiership.

"I think what's really important is that supporters have become used to the fact the club hasn't won trophies in nine years," Gold added.

"We need to put ourselves into a position where we're competitive and regularly get into finals.

"The way we get there is going to be a pragmatic approach. We'll play a brand of rugby where we want to score tries, that's why we play the game.

"I'm excited about this group of players. I don't think they're far off being a fiercely competitive team."