By Henry Harman
October 17 2003

This Sunday sees struggling Saracens travel down to table topping Bath. Both Saracens and Bath fans have suffered over the last couple of seasons as their respective teams made up of big names costing big money have stuttered and spluttered, promised so much but delivered very little. Bath certainly seem to have over-come the problems of last season. A new Head Coach in John Connolly and a whole host of new names and faces are helping one of the grand old names of English Rugby as they try to re-establish themselves as one of the top sides in Europe.

Thus far this season they have beaten all that have been put before them. Leeds were first to be put to the sword at Headingley – 44-32 followed by victories over Northampton (24-6), Sale (14-9), Wasps (20-19) and a five-try thumping of Rotherham at the Rec last weekend.

What is so impressive about Bath’s form is that since the 32 points conceded against Leeds, they have leaked only 37 points in 4 games. Compare this to Saracens defensive record (143 points conceded this season) and you can see quite how much of a challenge this game really is for the Men in Black.

As the old saying goes; Forwards win matches, the backs decide by how many points. Bath have a very strong looking pack. Ex-Saracen Dave Flatman and fellow new signing Duncan Bell have been very good this year in the tight alongside the vastly experienced Jonathon Humphreys. Rob Fidler and Steve Borthwick are the classic loose and tight-head lock combination. Fidler brings the power and Borthwick the line out thievery. The other standout player for my money (which isn’t a great deal by the way) is Michael Lipman. The Aussie-born open-side has awesome pace and won’t be giving Andy Goode much space to work with on Sunday.

Olly Barkley has had his critics in the past but the 21 year old with one England cap to his name has been right in the middle of everything good about Bath this season. He is the midfield creator and most importantly the point-scorer (81pts so far).

Saracens will have had another nasty video session this past Monday after a disappointing performance on the road against Leeds. Rod Kafer and his players will have, once again, had to do an enormous amount of work on most phases of the game, from the line-out (where potentially Mr Borthwick will have a field-day) to the basics in defence. There is no doubting the passion that Saracens have displayed throughout this season but more often than they would like, the focus and poise required to be a top-quality side eludes them.

This is a massive game, one where Sarries will need to turn their average away form around quite drastically to stand a chance of getting anything from this game.

Personally, I can’t see it.

Teams

Bath

15 – Matt Perry
14 – Lee Best
13 – Andrew Higgins
12 – Olly Barkley
11 – Brendon Daniel
10 – Chris Malone
9 - Martyn Wood

1 – David Flatman
2 – Jonathon Humphreys
3 – Duncan Bell
4 – Steve Borthwick
5 – Rob Fidler
6 – Andy Beattie
7 – Michael Lipman
8 – Zak Feaunati

Reps – Hentie Martens, Lee Mears, Matt Stevens, Jamie Williams, Robbie Kydd, James Scaysbrook & Scott Gray.


Saracens

15 – Thomas Castaignede
14 – Richard Haughton
13 – Ben Johnston
12 – Mark Bartholomuesz
11 – Nathan McAvoy
10 – Andy Goode
9 – Patrick Phibbs

1 – Steven Sparks
2 – Joe Ross
3 – Emiliano Bergamaschi
4 – Simon Raiwalui
5 – Alex Codling
6 – Kris Chesney
7 – Ryan Peacey
8 – Taine Randell

Reps – Andy Kershaw, Johnny Marsters, Ben Skirving, Ben Russell, Dan Kirton, Darragh O’Mahoney & Adryan Winnan.