Who cares?

By PG Tips
May 13 2014

Bath have no match this weekend, but it is a big date all the same.

Having narrowly missed out on a Premiership semi-final place last weekend, Bath must now look on as the usual suspects contest the knockouts in two fascinating derby matches.

“So what?” You may ask. Well, since these 4 sides have shown remarkable consistency in reaching this stage (only Gloucester in 2011 have broken this 4 way monopoly in 4 years) they could find much to learn from how their rivals approach these intense occasions.

Is the blitz “Wolf Pack” defence of Saracens superior to the “rush” employed by Harlequins? Should we expect Tigers’ attritional game to win out against Northampton’s penetration and variety? Who will have the calmest and most successful goal kicker and when will they opt for goal - when for territory? With a less settled coaching team and squad, Bath may want to pick up some tips.

This may also be the time to assess why these 4 teams finished above Bath. A table of matches against the 4 is instructive:

CLUB        W D L F  A  POINTS

Leicester   1 1 0 54 47 6

Harlequins  1 0 1 30 22 5

Northampton 0 1 1 44 62 2

Saracens    0 0 2 27 54 0

Thirteen points when 30 are on offer is a poor return and clearly a draw against Harlequins, home win against Northampton or a losing bonus point in one of the defeats would have propelled Bath into the Top 4. A try bonus point seemed to beckon at Welford Road too – until Leicester’s come back: that would have been sweet!

A clear lesson - do better against the top sides if you want to join them. There are other reasons for keeping an eye on these contests too. Many Bath players will have hopes of a trip to New Zealand with the England Squad & Stuart Lancaster is sure to take the chance to run the rule over likely candidates this weekend. While a number of Bath’s forwards and George Ford will be rightly optimistic about their place in his plans, Nathan Catt, Matt Garvey, Kyle Eastmond, Jonathon Joseph, Anthony Watson & Semesa Rokodoguni will all be hoping that their rivals do not get too many opportunities to stand out.

One game in particular will get close attention from both coaches and players: Friday night’s clash at Franklin’s Gardens. A week later Bath & Saints meet to contest Bath’s last chance at silverware this season. Northampton’s fate will be as closely studied as their form and tactics. A defeat leaves the Saints free to choose their strongest team and, having lost a final to a West country club already this season, determined to end on a high. A win gives them a dilemma with the AP Final only a week away. Do they select their strongest side for the Amlin or rest & rotate in the hope of winning both? Injuries, battle fatigue or even (as last year) sendings off could also influence the outcome.

Fans will have their preferred winners of this match for their own personal reasons of course – many out of a dislike of one contestant or another. For others, the game of “Oojerava” (“who’d you rather?”) will be a matter of supreme indifference as Bath are not involved. I personally hope that Northampton win on Friday and go on to take the title on 31 May: they have shown admirable form all season and a victory for them would break Leicester’s run of finals. For the moment, I will content myself with predicting home wins – for Saints (close) and Saracens (convincing).

Over to you: interested – or indifferent? ​​

If not us, then who?

Discussion started by PG Tips (IP Logged), 13/05/2014 22:07

PG Tips
13/05/2014 22:07

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2014:05:21:09:21:27 by Stuart Anderton.

Reply Quote Report

riverlodge
14/05/2014 15:41

Saints fan in peace - great analysis and a god piece.

If you look at most of your games against the top 4, it is such fine margins i.e. the ability step isn't the issue, its the 'mind' or belief thing that we suffered from in AP semis up until last year, and (soon to find out if) still with Tigers.

right now, I'm pretty sure that I'm not unusual for Saints in that Friday vs tigers is everything. I don't care (much) about winning the prem final, nor the Amlin - I'd swap both for a convincing win over Tiggs. this Friday. you can be sure as a consequence that - to coin the cliche - there will be nothing left in the Saints locker room this weekend.

Reply Quote Report

Widcombe boy
15/05/2014 13:29

Personally I would like to see Saints beat their nearest and dearest rivals. They have the power and all round game to do it, but it will be one hell of a battle, with Tigers finding their form just at the right time.

I'm going to stick my neck out here and go for Quins win. Someone's got to find a way through that amazing wolf pack defence, and I believe Quins may just have the game to do it. (Massive ask though!)

Sarries just maybe will have one eye on the Heineken

Reply Quote Report

Awp
15/05/2014 14:53

I'm off to final so as long as Leicester aren't there I'm happy. Sarries v Saints was what I predicted at start of season so is what I hope for.

Reply Quote Report

Malco
15/05/2014 15:41

Anybody but Saracens. Or Leicester.

(Saracens are clearly the best team in the league and if there's any justice they will win it).

Reply Quote Report

Boy
15/05/2014 17:01

Is it not 13 points from a possible 40? Eight games with a maximum five points from each?

Reply Quote Report

TCM2007
15/05/2014 17:26

Six games, unless they play themselves.

Stuart

Former ed.

Reply Quote Report

P G Tips
15/05/2014 18:01

Boy & Stuart

My calculations were based on 8 games (Bath v Top 4 clubs x 2).

I chose 4, not 5 because bonus points are random, whereas unless there is a draw evey game results in one side getting 4.That would be the expectation from a win against Top 4- a bonus point could only be an aspiration.

On that calculation it should read 32, but I notice it was edited to 30-I now understand why.


PG

Reply Quote Report

TCM2007
15/05/2014 20:04

Apologies, I misread it.

Stuart

Former ed.

Reply Quote Report

hasta
16/05/2014 09:04

Saints, but Sarries deserve it. Anyone but Tiggers (although their record at getting to finals is pretty incredible).

Reply Quote Report

johnnyf
16/05/2014 19:17

Personally I rather still disrespect the play-off competitition.
So for several reasons a Saracens v Northampton final with Saracens winning would satisfy all criteria.

Reply Quote Report

ciderhead
17/05/2014 11:21

Quote:

johnnyf
Personally I rather still disrespect the play-off competitition.
So for several reasons a Saracens v Northampton final with Saracens winning would satisfy all criteria.

Agreed Johnny, for me they have been the two best teams in the league so deserve the final. Personally I do not like Queens (a few bad experiences at the stoop) so really hope that Sarries destroy them this afternoon to set up an explosive final.

Reply Quote Report

Goto: Forum List•Message List•Search• Log In

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net