Bath
Match Preview - Challenging Chiefs
By Ed Scott
February 23 2012
The second local derby in as many weeks sees Bath visit high flying Exeter on Saturday evening to try and put their Premiership campaign back on track. With a Heineken Cup qualification spot drifting further into the ether, Bath must find some form this weekend if they are to avoid putting all their eggs in an LV Cup shaped basket!
Last weekend was a damp squib on many levels. Bath needed to be at the top of their game, but sadly they failed to find the gear required to beat a tenacious Gloucester at the Rec, extending their losing streak to the Cherry and Whites. Bath played with commitment and heart, but simply made too many mistakes, lacked the ability to up the pace of the game, and gifted Gloucester far too much ball by kicking poorly from hand.
Although West Country cousins, in many ways Exeter are complete opposites to Bath . They have no historical pedigree to speak of, no big name internationals or World Cup winners and no knights of the realm in their coaching set up! At face value, our league positions should be reversed, but Exeter have proved that you don't need to flash the cash to succeed in this league. They have a brilliant team spirit, a loyal and intimidating fan base, a talented player pool and a true will to win.
Bath won the corresponding home fixture and more recently rather handsomely in the LV Cup, but this trip to Sandy Park is a whole different proposition. The Exeter team will resemble little of the XV from a few weeks ago. In fact even that day they caused us any number of problems (particularly at the breakdown) with the score line probably flattering us a little. With a powerful pack and dangerous set piece, I would imagine that Exeter will be playing for position and attempting to drive through and disrupt Bath upfront. Discipline is once again a key word as Mieres will punish any indiscretions with an accurate touch finder or three points from the tee.
The biggest challenge for Bath this week seems to be whether they will have enough fit squad members to produce 23 players on Saturday! Niggles for Banners, Mears, Attwood and Taylor , as well as others falling to illness (including Francois Louw) meant that only 15 were fit for training on Tuesday. This, added to the injured Wilson, Hooper, Hipkiss, Abendanon, Moody, Williams, Eastmond and Flatman has stretched the resources of the squad to its limits. I understand that the majority of those with knocks and players who have been ill are expected to play, but it's hardly ideal preparation.
The major playing positive for me this week is the fact that Carl Fearns is expected to be back after a lengthy lay off. Although they may have wanted to ease him back in, he could well start on Saturday, giving many of us a chance to see the ‘dream team’ of Louw and Fearns on the team sheet together for the first time. Coupled with Taylor (if fit) they will make one of the best back rows in the Premiership I am sure.
Bath have shown glimpses this season of the team they can be, but glimpses don’t win games. We’ve seen plenty of strong individual displays, but the collective need to perform. Claassens must up our tempo and our kicking from hand has to improve drastically. I’m not saying we should run the ball at every opportunity, but I feel that if we’re not going to kick well, we should keep the ball in hand.
The Chiefs are tough at home, but are by no means unbeatable. If we can match their physicality and play a fast open game, then they can certainly be exposed. If we get dragged into a war of attrition, then they will be extremely hard to beat. Saturday is a chance for Bath to try and claw their way back up the table. Although not a last chance saloon, with only seven games left, a loss would make European qualification nigh on impossible. Time to show that Bath can transfer what’s on paper onto the pitch.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:02:28:21:28:00 by Susanne.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:02:24:09:21:04 by Brian4455.
Quote:Brian4455
I expect Fearns to bench
I really hope you are right - and I'm hoping I get to wear my "Fearns 7" shirt to the Wuss game next week.
Edit - PS, should have also said great preview Ed.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:02:24:09:59:25 by Susanne.
Quote:callmeMrTibbs
Baxter's using the fact that they've never beaten us in the professional era as an incentive to his players. Think that record may be about to go sadly.
They are a hard working side but so are we and we will have to much class.Bath by 10
Quote:Ex-Bod
Too much class?
How does the league table look Brian?
Have you been watching? We have had the worse run of injuries ever.The team is just coming back together.
With Exeter having their second choice loose head player this is a area we should dominate.they seemed to have gone for their heaviest pack possible.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:02:24:13:31:17 by Brian4455.
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