Match Preview: Cometh the hour.....


By Ed Scott
November 11 2011

This Sunday Bath travel north to Glasgow where they start their Heineken Cup campaign, the third and final competition we are involved in this season. It is clear to see that there are no easy matches in this pool, and this weekend we face a stern test away from home against the Warriors.

It's difficult to know what to expect from the competition this year. Bath undoubtedly have a tough group, but with places for the Challenge Cup also going to the next best runners up, there is much to play for. This is not to say that I believe that should be our goal, but to highlight the fact that there are multiple paths to success should everything not quite go to plan.
 
At the end of the game on Saturday, I felt strange. I've certainly left the Rec more deflated in recent times, but I simply felt empty. I began to resign to the fact that we are going to have another mediocre season - a feeling I've long since pushed to one side, nonetheless, not a pleasant thought.
 
I think what it came down to was that we didn't actually play that badly. Yes, there were still issues at the set piece, but scrum penalties went both ways, and both teams lost lineouts. It was more our discipline problems, our inability to boss the breakdown and the fact that Quins were simply more streetwise than us. They did a great job at influencing the referee and were far more accurate and intelligent with the boot.
 
What I can't escape is that Sam Vesty didn't back up his chat from the week in relation to Stephen Donald having to work hard to get the 10 shirt from him. At the end of his performance on Saturday, he might as well have ironed 'Donald' onto the back of his shirt, gift wrapped it and attached a tag "Your humble understudy, Sam". I often think Vesty gets unfairly criticised on ERE, but this week I am afraid to say that I've joined the doubters and actually believe that we should have brought Heathcote on as soon as Vesty took a blow to his head in the first half. That said, when we are missing several first choice backs, it isn't fair to say that our attacking problems were all down to him.
 
Glasgow are a tough team with a lot of young talent. They have International half-backs in Cuisiter and Jackson, as well as half their pack at least being nailed on starters for Scotland. In Beattie and Barclay, they have a formidable backrow, meaning that the battle at the breakdown is going to be titanic. In the second row, Richie Gray was one of my players of the Six Nations last year, and I'm glad we (allegedly) tried to sign him for next season. I guess Sale is simply closer to Scotland.
 
Make no bones about it, Glasgow can play rugby and are more than capable of battering us up front as well as stretching our backs wide. They have won five from their last six games, and the last four in a row. These include notable victories against Leinster and Cardiff away from home as well as a recent home win against the Ospreys.
 
Team selection this week will hopefully be more of a tough decision for the coaches, particularly in the backline. It looks like Banahan will be back, with Stephen Donald, David Flatman and Olly Barkley all in contention for places. Sadly Matt Carraro has a dislocated thumb and it looks like Carl Fearns will be out for a bit longer after his knee operation - a big shame as I think he and Louw will be quite a force when together. Lewis Moody also looks to be one further week away from playing. I know a lot is criticised about him, but he's a man who will lead from the front and might give us a bit more dog needed in the pack when he is back.
 
I think we can expect a tight game at Firhill, which is not the widest of playing surfaces. Forecast currently is dry which I think should suit us. Once again I feel we need to stretch the game wide but play the percentages when needed. I would love to see Donald playing, with Olly Barkley also getting some decent game time. If he can make us tick and we take our chances at goal when we get them, then we might just sneak it. Welcome to Bath Stephen, no pressure!

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Match Report: Cometh the hour.....
Discussion started by BathRugbyEre.co.uk , 11/11/2011 17:30
BathRugbyEre.co.uk
11/11/2011 17:30
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:11:13:18:16:48 by Susanne.

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