Absent JJ crucial?

By nixworld2
November 27 2015

It would be easy to dwell on the excellent victories chalked up against Leicester last season (45-0 and 47-10, just in case you fancied a bit of a pleasing wallow; I sometimes think about these results when I’m having a bad day and they cheer me right up). But these were at The Rec, and travelling to Welford Road is something of different proposition. Indeed, Bath lost to the Tigers in the Midlands last season.

After a somewhat wobbly start to the season, Bath seemed to pick up the pace last week against Leinster. The cancellation of the Toulon match, the salary cap shenanigans and the departure of Sam Burgess no doubt all sent ripples of worry and stress throughout the squad, and the strange start to the season due the World Cup has meant there has been little to impress so far this season. Until, that is, the Irish powerhouses came to town last week in the Champions Cup. They weren’t at their best, with the impact of their loss the previous week to an invigorated Wasps team evident in their play. But Leinster will never not be a classy team and stretched Bath all the way. The most pleasing part of Bath’s play was the scrum, and it is a skill that they will have to use to it’s fullest extent on Sunday. Indeed, it is tempting to say that the scrum is where the game will be won, and the prospect of young live wires Henry Thomas and Nick Auterac going up against players such as Marcos Ayerza, Dan Cole, Logovi'i Mulipola etc is an exiting one. It will be a big test, but so was playing against Cian Healy, Sean Cronin and Mike Ross, and the Bath pack aced that one.

It was also a pleasure to see Francois Louw back in Bath colours. Leicester’s bustling, busy, sniping back row will be a challenge that can’t be overestimated. Louw will really need to fight against that, and do the same job for Bath, to keep them quiet. The ever joyful and joy filled Leroy Houston could also play a part; relentless energy will be needed to combat the Tigers’ back row. David Denton has been named on the bench, which will provide an exciting and testing debut for Bath’s newest signing.

There is a high chance of the backs playing a key part; George Ford and potential starter Owen Williams are both astute, skilled fly-halves and whoever puts down a marker first is likely to control the game. In addition to calm and considered kicking, I would welcome some magic from the fast men; Kyle Eastmond has been looking rather tasty during the last few games, and the reappearance of Horacio Agulla after his time with Argentina is pleasing. Matt Banahan deserves a special mention, for this will be his 200^th appearance for Bath. Bath will need him at his powerful, smashing best on Sunday.

All the promising play in the world won’t guard Bath against a shock unless they really take their A game to Leicester on Sunday. Leicester v Bath is one of those fixtures where the form book can be thrown out of the window. The rivalry between the two clubs shows no sign of abating, and any match between them should perhaps be seen in isolation, with passion and drive on the day often leading to the win. It will be a tough test, but one that Bath should be targeting if they are serious in matching last year’s successes this season.

Bath Rugby team to face Leicester Tigers

15 Anthony Watson

14 Semesa Rokoduguni

13 Matt Banahan

12 Kyle Eastmond

11 Horacio Agulla

10 George Ford

9 Niko Matawalu

1 Nick Auterac

2 Ross Batty

3 Henry Thomas

4 Stuart Hooper (c)

5 Tom Ellis

6 Matt Garvey

7 Francois Louw

8 Leroy Houston 

Replacements

16 Tom Dunn

17 Nathan Catt

18 Max Lahiff

19 David Denton

20 Guy Mercer

21 Chris Cook

22 Rhys Priestland

23 Tom Homer

Another opportunity to wallow?

Discussion started by Comeonmylovers.co.uk (IP Logged), 27/11/2015 12:53

Comeonmylovers.co.uk
27/11/2015 12:53

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:12:10:21:20:54 by Stuart Anderton.

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Dorset Boy
27/11/2015 13:08

We've won there once in about 15 years, so a Bath win would be a big shock. It's the worst record Bath have at any ground.

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TCM2007
27/11/2015 16:21

Only because our wins have been when they moved down the road to the Crisp Bowl.

Stuart

Former ed.

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@Hydor18
28/11/2015 08:25

Owen Williams not playing. That's pivotal for us.

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joethefanatic
29/11/2015 02:41

Quote:

The Artist formerly known as RCC
Owen Williams not playing. That's pivotal for us.

It presumably means the Tigs will have less leverage and no place to stand.

... IMHO, of course.

Now in Honolulu

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