Henson has the class

By P G Tips
October 28 2014

After 3 disappointments in succession, the LV Cup offers Bath a chance to regroup & revive. Or does it? Bath would welcome a victory: they also need to rotate their squad – out of necessity in the back row, to rest some tired players and give game time to others who could be needed to step up sometime soon.

 The LV competition would seem the ideal opportunity, especially against strugglers London Welsh. But what will Welsh do? After played 6 lost 6 in the AP & 2 heavy defeats in Europe they could be ripe for the plucking. Equally, they will be desperate to get a win- somehow. Von Clausewitz wrote of “No plan surviving first contact with the enemy”. Mike Ford would do well to think on those words when preparing his game plan for next Saturday. London Welsh will probably not oblige by picking a weakened team.

So what should we expect from Welsh? They do not lack either class or experience. Some seasoned campaigners in the forwards, backed up by international class at halfback and sprightly backs like Stegmann, Jewell or Scott who can all do damage if given the chance. Indeed, the Welsh have scored as many tries at the Rec this season as Saracens & Toulouse between them. Expect them to target Bath’s perceived vulnerability at loose forward – with breaks from Weepu and carries from their own loose trio. They will also aim for mayhem at the breakdown against an inexperienced back row. Both their fly halves are reliable goal kickers should the breakdown penalties go their way. Olly Barkley has shown once already this season that he can orchestrate a wide game for his threequarters, so expect clean second phase or turnover ball to be put through the hands to build momentum or create strike moves .

Bath may have Hobson’s choice in selection in some areas of the team and it seems likely that some Academy lads will be required. The back row remains the area of greatest speculation. Charlie Ewels had a fine debut against Toulouse and must surely be trusted again at 8, but the sight of David Sisi, who also stood the test manfully, leaving the field early last Saturday was a worry. Hopefully the problem was cramp and not anything more serious. There has been stunning silence about the rumoured loose forward reinforcement, so that rumour should be discounted for now – even though Dan Lydiate is thought to be looking for a change. The front row looks pretty secure and a start for Catt could be on the cards. In the second row Tom Ellis, like Ewels a junior World Cup winner, could make his senior debut, while behind the scrum the combination will probably have a makeshift, look about it. Even so, likely starters Henson, Banahan, Woodburn & Arscott offer class and speed: they will be keen to prove a few points.

If London Welsh do bring their strongest team, this will be a stern test. Bath though boast enviable strength in depth in the front row. They should provide a reliable set piece platform, from which a talented and pacy Bath backline can profit. A home crowd and the need to restore the winning habit should do the rest. Some of the squad players will get their chance to shine, Bath to get back to winning ways. More woe for Welsh.

Possible teams:

Bath: Catt, Dunn, Palma-Newport (Capt), Ellis, Day, Northcote-Green, Sisi,Ewels. Young, Henson, Lane, Devoto, Banahan, Woodburn, Arscott
Bench: Shiells, Woolstencroft, Orlandi, Hooper , Mercer, Homer, Clark, Wakecokecoke,

London Welsh:,Reeves, Britton, Vae, Schofield, Gilding, Browne, Thorpe, Pienaar. Weepu, Ross,. Scott, Barkley, May (Capt.), Stegmann. Jewell

Bench: Vella, Henn, Gilding, Corker, West, Lewis, Roberts, Molenaar

A Chance to Regroup? Bath v London Welsh, LV Cup

Discussion started by Comeonmylovers.co.uk (IP Logged), 28/10/2014 20:18

Comeonmylovers.co.uk
28/10/2014 20:18

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:11:03:21:04:38 by Stuart Anderton.

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abendanon-anon-anon
30/10/2014 14:25

Weepu won't be playing as he's injured his ankle apparently

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P G Tips
30/10/2014 15:58

Thanks a-a-a


PG

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Y Drenewydd
31/10/2014 11:38

Molenaar out injured for most of season, Richard Thorpe , picked for Canada's! Squad.

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