It wasn't just losing to Gloucester that hurt, it was the manner in which it happened; I simply felt let down. What is clear is that a performance like that this Sunday is unacceptable.

It is widely known (or is it?) that the French do not travel well when it comes to the Heineken Cup. In the 2008/2009 tournament, French teams played 18 games in the UK & Ireland and won only three. Last season, of the 14 'away' games French opposition played, five were won. In reality, away wins are uncommon in the Heineken Cup in general. Two of those five away wins last year were achieved by Biarritz, who (it reallypains me to say) lost only to Gloucester away. This will of course not be a worry for them this year as Gloucester are only in the Amlin tournament (cheap shot I know, but I told you I wasn't over it!).

Injuries plagued us during the first half of this season and they seem set to do so again this time around. We are guaranteed to be without Moody, James, Short, Jarvis, Hobson and Mears. Taylor, Flatman and Watson are off the sick list however. I am not going to write excuses as I believe the best teams find a way to perform, regardless of whether they have everyone fit. We should be expecting to at least win our home games in this tournament if we want to have a shot at winning any honours this year.

Nathan Catt gets a first start in the Heineken Cup - Photo: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images

Smee stated in the Chron this week that he woke at 4am in the morning thinking that it was time to give some of the young guns a start. Clearly he went back to sleep again and woke up on the conservative side of the bed! I was hoping Ovens/Mercer and Williams were going to get a baptism of fire on Sunday against genuine world class players like Harinordoquy and Yachvilli. I felt that, after some very average performances from some, it was time to see if they were ready or not. Instead w e have picked a big (and relatively slow) back row and persevered with Dixon. I really believe that Ross Batty deserve d his chance as starting hooker and that Beast has consistently struggled to find his form from a few years ago. Nathan Catt continues to grow in stature and absolutely deserves his start.

So, what do we want from Sunday? A win, a performance, or both? Me? I'd settle for looking into the eyes of the Bath boys to see the deep passion and hunger that we so badly need.

Allez Bath!

Bath Rugby team to face Biarritz Olympique:

15. Nick Abendanon
14. Matt Carraro
13. Shontayne Hape
12. Olly Barkley
11. Matt Banahan
10. Sam Vesty
9. Michael Claassens

1. Nathan Catt
2. Pieter Dixon
3. David Wilson
4. Stuart Hooper
5. Danny Grewcock
6. Andy Beattie
7. Simon Taylor
8. Luke Watson ( c )

Replacements:

16. Ross Batty
17. David Flatman
18. Duncan Bell
19. Ignacio Fernandez-Lobbe
20. Ben Skirving
21. Mark McMillan
22. Tom Biggs
23. Jack Cuthbert