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It might be a tad strong to describe Bath as a club in meltdown, but amid allegations of drug taking and brawling, resignations and threats of legal action, there is clearly something corrosively wrong at the South West giants.

A quick reminder of the non-playing developments at Bath this season, as we know it:

- December: Bath prop Matthew Stevens fails drugs test for cocaine

- January: Results of failed test made public

- February: Stevens handed two-year ban

- March: Stevens resigns from Bath, before being sacked

- May: Allegations of bar brawl and drug taking at Bath end-of-season party

- May: Bath lock Justin Harrison terminates contract and returns to Australia for "personal" reasons

- June: Bath announce resignations of Michael Lipman, Alex Crockett and Andrew Higgins after allegedly refusing drug tests on three occasions

- June: RFU launches investigation into allegations

- June: Lipman, Crockett and Higgins threaten legal action against Bath

- June: Media reports suggest drug-taking allegations made by members of Bath squad

At this stage, only the players would appear to know exactly what has been going on at Bath this season, but there is no denying that the above is some rap sheet.

Now OT is no legal expert and will therefore steer clear of an opinion on whether Lipman and co should or should not have agreed to the tests, but their refusal to do so has certainly left them looking like they have something to hide.

The negative publicity has the potential to damage Bath for many years to come and will surely make those considering joining the famous club to think twice before committing their signature.

Press reports that the allegations of drug taking were made by players also suggests that coach Steve Meehan's squad is split, and who would want to join such a divisive dressing room?

Prop David Wilson, who made an impressive international start against the Barbarians last week, must be questioning the wisdom of his decision to leave Newcastle in the summer and join Bath.

The same for Saracens number eight Ben Skirving, the same for former stalwart Olly Barkley, who returns to Bath after a season with Gloucester.

When the club should be celebrating Matt Banahan's call up to the England team and looking forward to Lee Mears's first start for the Lions, they are instead embroiled in a right royal mess of Labour-party proportions.

On a wider level, there is also a danger that rugby's reputation will be adversely affected by what is going on at Bath, irrespective of whether the players are innocent or not.

A sports club, especially a professional one, is the last place you would expect to find a drugs culture and the RFU will no doubt launch a campaign to protect and promote the image of English rugby.

The recent shenanigans certainly lend a new meaning to the name Recreation Ground!

Terence O'Rorke / Eurosport