‘More good than bad’ – Santi Carreras on the fan reaction to Bath move

Without disrespecting Rob Fidler, Dave Attwood and Terry Sigley, Santi Carreras’ imminent move from Gloucester to Bath is by far the most high-profile of the four that have taken place in that direction in the professional era.

Going the other way, from Bath to Gloucester, has been a frequently travelled route and involved some notable figures steeped in Bath Rugby history, including the club’s Premiership record points and try scorers, Olly Barkley and Matt Banahan, and RWC 2023 winners Iain Balshaw and Mike Tindall. Even in the late 1990s when club allegiances were still relatively strong, you still had Steve Ojomoh, Ian Sanders and Audley Lumsden jumping in the car together to make the 50-mile commute north.

Why choosing to swap a cherry and white jersey for a blue, black and white one without any stopovers at other clubs in between is nowhere near as commonplace is open to conjecture. Maybe the disdain Gloucester fans show for their perceived ‘posh’ rivals is an off-putting factor but whatever it is, Carreras has bucked the trend, and Gloucester fans have made their feelings known.

Carreras admits there were mixed messages when news broke that he was going to Gloucester’s arch-rivals at the end of the season.

“I’ve had a few (messages) to be honest, more good ones than bad ones, which is good," he told RugbyPass.

"I am grateful to everyone in Gloucester, the love they have shown me is amazing, awesome. To play for them, for that club, and for that shirt has been really special for me. I’ll be sad when the time comes to leave but it’ll be an exciting new challenge for me as well.”

As a proud Argentinian, Carreras would expect nothing less than some form of emotional response. Pumas fans are some of the most passionate and vocal in the world, a claim that Gloucester's Sheddites would make about themselves when it comes to English rugby. Bath fans, too, are no less invested in their club, supporting them through thick and thin. And that relationship with the fans is something that Carreras embraces.

“The way the fans live rugby is really important. To play in a stadium that is sold out is always good, to feel the support, it gives you more energy and more enjoyment," he said.

Clearly, money was a factor in Carreras’ decision to swap one very different West Country city with another. But the Argentinian, who has called England home for the last five years, says the conversations he had with Bath Head of Rugby, Johann van Graan when weighing up the move, were on a much deeper level.

“Whenever I have been in touch with him, of course, we always talk about rugby but we talk about life as well. We are not just rugby players, we are humans as well, and I think that is really good.”

Carreras smiles when it's suggested to him that another reason for the move is the chance to play in Bath’s pale blue and white hooped European jersey. It might almost make him feel like he’s playing for the Pumas, something he has done 53 times despite being 10 days short of his 27th birthday.

Carreras met up with his Pumas teammates last week when Argentina held a three-day training camp at the Lensbury in London, to help promote Argentina’s ‘home’ fixture against South Africa in round six of The Rugby Championship, at Allianz Stadium, London, on October 4, and also set their goals as a group for 2025.

Carreras hopes they can build on last year’s Rugby Championship campaign when they achieved their highest match points total.

“It’s always good to meet up. I think we are still building and I think what is important this year, for us, is to stick to the basics and keep growing as a team."

As for the prospect of playing at Twickenham, Carreras will hope to be there in June, a few months before the Pumas take on the world champion Springboks, in the final of the Gallagher Premiership. Gloucester are firmly in the mix for a play-off place, and a derby rematch could be on the cards at English Rugby's HQ with Bath blazing a trail at the top of the table.

Having made his debut for the Pumas there, against the Barbarians in December 2018, it is a place that holds special memories for him.

“It is a really special place, so I am looking forward to it. I have played in Twickenham a few times, we beat England in 2022, in November. That is the second time Argentina have beaten them in Twickenham. It was really special to beat such a big team.”

One potential downside to his move to Bath is the fact that he’ll be the only Argentinian, whereas at Gloucester he was one of three, including Mayco Viavas and Matias Alemanno.

Relocating from Cheltenham to Bath with his girlfriend should help to make him feel at home – as well as the warmth of the English people, which has taken him by surprise, even if he might have had the odd acrimonious comment.

“I think the best thing is the people. I know you’re a bit cold (reserved) in some way but everyone has really welcomed me," he said.

“We are a really long way away from home but everyone has made me feel at home here and are really helpful. I am not going to say the weather and the food (have been good) because that’s much better in Argentina but, yeah, I would say the people are really nice.”

Despite his suave appearance, Carreras is content with the simple things in life, “spending time with my girlfriend and friends, going out for food”.

He added: "It is always tough to leave a place that you like and you love, and even more as I was one of three Argentinians. But it’s life, you need to make decisions and enjoy yourself as well."

The Rugby Championship is coming to London this Autumn, with Argentina hosting Rugby World Cup winners South Africa on 4 October at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham. Secure your seat here.