By RtR on 10/9/2003
September 11 2003

Summer is gone, autumn is here, and a sumptuous feast of rugby action is spread before us. Yes, the Rugby World Cup is nearly here. The world will be able to stuff themselves on the very best rugby fayre available, but what price the 'beans on toast' that is the ZP? Is anyone really interested?

Well I am, and if the sales of season tickets for ZP clubs is anything to go by, so are many others. The RWC factor makes this season possibly the most open for years, and the inclusion of relegation once again, means that the season is going to be another stormer.

First up for the Tykes is a repeat of the seasons opener from two years ago, the visit of mighty Bath. Mighty as they were once, not so mighty now, you may argue. The descent of Bath from European Champions to perennial relegation dogfighter has been one of the more remarkable aspects of the modern era.

The Tykes have a good record against Bath at Headingley, having won both previous encounters, including that memorable first ZP victory two years ago. Last year, Bath were pulverised up front and the Tykes won at a canter. Based upon last years league table, the Tykes should be favourites for this game as well. But players losses to the RWC, and two drastically remodelled squads mean that the two sides that face each other this time will be very different from those that took to the pitch last time the clubs met.

The Tykes will be missing the likes of Albanese, Regan, Kerr, Ross, Popham and the injured Tom Palmer. Bath will be minus Catt, Balshaw, Danielli, Tindall, Grewcock and Maggs. Lots of missing star names to be sure, but it should still be a superb game.

Front-Up Up-Front

Bath were weak in the front row last year, and the recruitment of David Flatman and Duncan Bell at props will beef them up there. Steve Borthwick will be fired up after missing out on an England Squad place, and Rob Fidler , a recent recruit from Glaws, will add further weight, to what looks like a useful pack. Add ex Tykes Zac Feaunati to carry the ball, and the task looks sterner still.

The Tykes pack will be very different from last year. PD will need to pick his best scrummagers to compete with Bath, and the lineout, which misfired in pre-season, needs to work consistantly. Injuries mean that we are already down to three locks (Campbell, Hooper and Morgan), all of whom should feature, and these boys need to do the business. In the back row Dan Hyde will need to be at his tenacious best, and new boys Salter and Rigney will need to contain Zac.

So it looks like a tough battle up front.

Back to the Backs

The Tykes were a forwards dominated team last year, but a new dynamic style has been promised, and the backs look like a strong unit this year. We haven't the luxury of Van Straaten to keeps the points coming, so more tries will be the order of the day, and glimpses of this have already been seen in pre-season. Bath will be missing several players in their backs, and had Robbie Fleck been available, he would need to be straight in on top form. Fleck is a useful performer, and our midfield defence would have been tested. As it is, the presence of Rees, Scarbrough and Christophers should mean that the Tykes have the edge in the backs. Tim Walsh also looks a great capture at Fly Half, with great tactical awareness, accurate kicking and considerable skill ball in hand.

A Close Call

The Tykes appear to have the edge behind the scrum, but games are won and lost up front, and the Tykes new pack must compete to win enough ball for the backs to make a difference. It wil be a spicy encounter. Zac will be at Headingley in opponents colours, Callard will want to keep up the winning streak against his old employers, and the Tykes ex-Bristolians (Morgan, Christophers, Rees and Salter) will still harbour ill feeling regarding last seasons merger rumours between Bath and Bristol. I predict a close, feisty game, with the Tykes backs to edge it.

Result Prediction - Tykes 35, Bath 27