Bath Rugby and Thatchers Cider have gone back to their roots with a collaboration that will continue to bear fruit in the heart of cider country – and you can win a taste of Bath Rugby history.

Our collaboration with Bath Rugby has branched out into creating a unique Farleigh Cider pressed from the very apples grown pitchside at Farleigh House, in an innovative first for rugby and cider.

Reflecting Bath Rugby’s commitment to a homegrown team, cider fans can now enjoy this homegrown cider – with Bath’s very own homegrown 100-capped captain Charlie Ewels part of the picking team.

Once pressed, expertly crafted and bottled here at Myrtle Farm, the one-of-a-kind Farleigh Cider was delivered back to Farleigh House for players to take part in a labelling and signing session. Each member of the Bath Rugby squad has signed a bottle of Farleigh Cider.

And you can own a piece of this very special Bath Rugby and Thatchers history through a charity raffle in aid of the Bath Rugby Foundation and the Thatchers Foundation, both of which support local communities throughout Somerset.

For captain Ewels and his teammates, the Bath Rugby Foundation is a cause very close to their hearts and the squad have been supporting the Foundation in different ways during lockdown. By entering the fundraising raffle to win a signed bottle of Farleigh Cider, you too can support both charitable causes.

At Thatchers, we are very much part of the Bath Rugby family, with the 2020/21 season marking the ninth year of partnership between the two brands deeply synonymous with the West Country.

The Farleigh apple trees were planted in 2011 and last autumn, the Farleigh House orchard produced apples which were picked by Bath Rugby players under the watchful eye of our farm manager Chris Muntz-Torres.

Thatchers head cider maker, Richard Johnson, who blended the Farleigh Cider and invited some of the squad to Myrtle Farm for a tasting in 2019, said, “At 5.5% abv, Farleigh Cider is a fantastic union of varieties. Like a scrum the apples used are a blend of strength and guile and all have their unique contribution. Pour this cider into your favourite cup and let it tackle your taste buds!”

Bath Rugby Club captain Charlie Ewels said: “We’re all very proud of our partnership with such an iconic West Country brand and I can attest Farleigh Cider really is a very special drink. I’d like to encourage all of our supporters to support the raffle and help raise funds for two hugely deserving causes.”

Tickets for the fundraising raffle are being sold via the Bath Rugby Foundation website (https://www.bathrugbyfoundation.com/shop/farleighcider) for £3 each. Each winner – randomly selected on the closing date of 07 October 2020 – will receive a bottle of Farleigh Cider signed by one of the members of the squad, together with four cans of Thatchers Gold. There are 38 individual prizes to be won.

Martin Thatcher adds, “Even though Thatchers is unable to be a part of the matchday experience at the Rec due to Covid restrictions, we’re delighted to take part in initiatives such as this fundraising raffle as the Club’s Official Cider Partner to raise money for local good causes.

“However, there’s no doubt we’re all looking forward to a resumption of business as usual for fans at the Rec!”

Thatchers has exclusive pouring rights for Thatchers Gold and Thatchers Haze at the Rec, naming rights to the North Stand and prominent branding on the back of Bath Rugby’s match shirts.