SKIPPER Stuart Hooper says last season’s final agony has been put to bed as Bath Rugby build for another assault at the Aviva Premiership title.

Bath enjoyed their best season for many a year last term but suffered a heartbreaking 28-16 defeat to Saracens in the campaign’s Twickenham climax.

The post-mortem of that loss was held in the immediate aftermath back at Bath’s Farleigh House headquarters, and Hooper says the squad have joined back together for the new campaign focussed on going one better this time around.

“It was put to bed after the game, not directly, but the people that needed to talk about it talked about it at the end of last year,” said lock Hooper.

“There are a lot of different faces here so it wouldn’t have been a huge amount of benefit to go through it when we got back this year.

“We have learned lessons from it, definitely. From the day, from the game, which is experience that you can’t get unless you have been there.

“There is a huge amount of pride in what we did last year but ultimately we didn’t win the trophy, which would have been a fantastic end to what was a great journey for us.

“But it’s not over. We’ve lost a few good men but it’s essentially the same group with some pretty exciting new talent as well.

“Most of the guys are pretty young, apart from myself, and very, very hungry. We didn’t win it but we have got the fuel to get back there.”

Because of such hefty recognition in various World Cup squads, it has been reduced Bath ranks that returned for pre-season training this summer.

However, Hooper says there has been no stone left unturned as they look to find that winning formula.

“Pre-season has been good,” said 33-year-old Hooper, who is entering his fifth season as Bath skipper.

“There are a lot of young guys, a lot of new talent, and a lot of people who have been exposed to a professional environment for the first time, so they are getting better phenomenally quickly.

“That hunger is there and it’s even more so from last year. We wouldn’t be doing things right if we came back in and were the same as last year, we have got to move forward.

“We didn’t win it last year so we have got to move forward and make sure we are striving to get better every single day.

“The coaches, conditioners and medical team this pre-season have been absolutely unbelievable.

“They have put together an amazing programme and it’s given us the chance to just come back in and work hard.”

Bath kick off their campaign with a trip to old rivals Gloucester in the West Country Challenge Cup on Sunday (3pm).