Having come away pointless from Exeter Bath must next face another local derby-this time in southwest London. To it’s detractors “the Clash” is pointless, a costly indulgence or giving away home advantage, depending on personal gripe. Its supporters see it as a good day out and a rare chance to back the team at Twickenham. Certainly the 2017 comeback win against Tigers brought happy echoes of 80s and 90s Cup Finals, but now there is a Top 6 place to win and relegation zone to avoid. Can Bath triumph over a fired up Bristol?
Both sides come to the Clash off heavy defeats, Bath 29-10 at Exeter and Bristol going down 39-15 to La Rochelle in the Challenge Cup Quarter Finals. Neither result matters as form guide though in this closest of Premiership seasons. This is a one-off tie: for Bristol the motivation of a derby double and Premiership survival, for Bath a must win if they are to make Champions Cup ranks this year. Bristol’s defeat in France may have dented morale, but it has kept them match fit and focused. Bath may find “home advantage” a poisoned chalice if they arrive at HQ undercooked.
Usually Bath would feel bullish about beating The Bears but Bristol have shocked Bath already this season, a match that turned out to be an omen for Bath’s fortunes. A winnable opener was lost through careless errors and lapses in concentration. That was the first of 4 narrow late defeats, which if won would put Bath comfortably in the top 4. Another careless slip on Saturday could leave coaches and fans rueing “might- have- beens” for some time. Bristol have taken 6 try bonuses from their 17 Premiership matches so far, twice Bath’s haul and a testament to their fluent ball play and attacking intent. Pat Lam has worked with them the transformation he effected in Connaught, a squad whose performances exceed the sum of their parts. Chief danger men could be Morahan, Piutau and whichever halfbacks are chosen, but there are threats aplenty up front too –the livewire Thacker and Afoa in the front row or the bruising Luatua and evergreen Crane in the loose forwards. Bath, beset again by injuries in key positions will need to dominate the set piece and take every scoring chance if the day out is not to end in tears.
The strongest possible squad will be needed both for victory and to fit the occasion and venue. On the fitness front Louw is “50:50”, Mercer, Underhill & Attwood are all available but Thomas, ever present so far, is now out for the season with a torn hamstring. Anthony Watson is in training but won’t be risked. With Homer, McConnochie and Cokanasiga fit and in form his return can wait.
Todd Blackadder and Pat Lam have not engaged in a “war of words” in the build up – rather in a series of affable sponsored discussions in which each claim to have the edge – in the knowledge that the result could move either club a few places up or down the table. Todd admits bath must “scrap for every point – it’s never over until the end”. He expects a “really special day out: enjoy it” he exhorts fans “ and be proud of your team.”
Saturday’s Twickenham weather looks set to be bright with a moderate breeze: ideal conditions for running rugby on HQs wide expanses. The conditions should suit both sides and could produce a classic, although bragging right tensions and the imperative to climb the table may keep the game tight. Out wide Bath have the firepower in Joseph, Cokanasiga, McConnochie and Homer to take the spoils but their forwards will need to deliver fast, quality ball and the kicking of both halfbacks will need to be pinpoint accurate. They must bait a trap for the bear – and spring it. A great day out will be welcome, but if Bath fans are not to go home grizzly, at full time they will be expecting a win.
Really looking forward to this hugely important local derby with our nearest neighbours at a rec packed to the rafters in the sunshine. The whole town will be buzzing and the pubs and restaurants will have a bumper day boosting the local Bath economy. Oh no, I forgot ....
Beergoggles Really looking forward to this hugely important local derby with our nearest neighbours at a rec packed to the rafters in the sunshine. The whole town will be buzzing and the pubs and restaurants will have a bumper day boosting the local Bath economy. Oh no, I forgot ....
Misery guts. At least we will be able to get a drink or go to the loo without a 20 minute wait meaning that we miss the start of the 2nd half. We will also be able to watch it with tens of thousands of our friends and neighbours for whom it will be a very special day out. Some of us will also be lucky enough to watch our kids play games on the famous pitch beforehand. I (like 50000+ others) can’t wait.
Beergoggles Really looking forward to this hugely important local derby with our nearest neighbours at a rec packed to the rafters in the sunshine. The whole town will be buzzing and the pubs and restaurants will have a bumper day boosting the local Bath economy. Oh no, I forgot ....
Misery guts. At least we will be able to get a drink or go to the loo without a 20 minute wait meaning that we miss the start of the 2nd half. We will also be able to watch it with tens of thousands of our friends and neighbours for whom it will be a very special day out. Some of us will also be lucky enough to watch our kids play games on the famous pitch beforehand. I (like 50000+ others) can’t wait.
I hope you enjoy it BathMatt although I'm not sure being able to get a pint in a half empty Twickenham is worth what we've given up. I will watch it in the TV and wait until we've earned it for my next trip to HQ. May be a long wait.
All that we have given up is home advantage (no idea if that will work out as significant) and the opportunity to stand in an outdated ground and queue for the toilet IMO. You have been to the rec every game this season and watched a load of dross in the main - you have earned the right to a fun day out BG!
Beergoggles Really looking forward to this hugely important local derby with our nearest neighbours at a rec packed to the rafters in the sunshine. The whole town will be buzzing and the pubs and restaurants will have a bumper day boosting the local Bath economy. Oh no, I forgot ....
+17.2 million
Adopted Player 2018/19 Ross Batty
Adopted Player 2019/20 Jack Davies
Adopted Player 2020/21 Cam Redpath
Adopted Player 2021/22 Darren Atkins
Adopted Player 2022/23 Gabriel Hamer-Webb
Adopted Player 2023/24 Tom Carr-Smith
Adopted Player 2024/25 Max Ojomoh
"AN OUNCE OF ACTION IS WORTH A TON OF THEORY"
FRIEDRICH ENGELS
"The Bears but Bristol have shocked Bath already this season, a match that turned out to be an omen for Bath’s fortunes. A winnable opener was lost through careless errors and lapses in concentration."
Not so much an omen - more it seems that it established a mindset we have struggled to lose
gaz59 "The Bears but Bristol have shocked Bath already this season, a match that turned out to be an omen for Bath’s fortunes. A winnable opener was lost through careless errors and lapses in concentration."
Not so much an omen - more it seems that it established a mindset we have struggled to lose
Totally agree with that
Adopted Player 2018/19 Ross Batty
Adopted Player 2019/20 Jack Davies
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Adopted Player 2022/23 Gabriel Hamer-Webb
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Adopted Player 2024/25 Max Ojomoh
"AN OUNCE OF ACTION IS WORTH A TON OF THEORY"
FRIEDRICH ENGELS
Anyway, I'm gonna be there with 2 great mates I too rarely see. Meeting in the Royal Oak, Isleworth a pilgrimage from the 80s with a sneaky pint on wander through sewerage works and into ground where no doubt will bump into several old friends i played with and against many years ago
BathMatt53 All that we have given up is home advantage (no idea if that will work out as significant) and the opportunity to stand in an outdated ground and queue for the toilet IMO. You have been to the rec every game this season and watched a load of dross in the main - you have earned the right to a fun day out BG!
I've done some research on this. If you take Saracens out of the equation, the "home" team has only won 26% of games played on neutral territory since 2011. This goes up to 60% if you include Saracens!
As a Bristol fan, with our leaky defence, that 26% is likely to increase after Saturday.
15. Tom Homer
14. Joe Cokanasiga
13. Jonathan Joseph
12. Jamie Roberts
11. Ruaridh McConnochie
10. Rhys Priestland
9. Kahn Fotuali’I
1. Nathan Catt
2. Tom Dunn
3. Max Lahiff
4. Dave Attwood
5. Charlie Ewels (capt)
6. Tom Ellis
7. Sam Underhill
8. Zach Mercer
Replacements
16. Ross Batty
17. Beno Obano
18. Anthony Perenise
19. Elliott Stooke
20. Miles Reid
21. Chris Cook
22. Freddie Burns
23. Max Clark
No Chudley and Stooke on the bench? The 23 looks about as good as it could but I would have had a few swaps there... Nonetheless, COYB!!
[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2019:04:05:12:01:02 by BathMatt53.
Bristol Bears team to face Bath Rugby at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday, April 6th (2pm KO):
15. Luke Daniels; 14. Luke Morahan, 13. Piers O’Conor, 12. Siale Piutau (co-capt), 11. Alapati Leiua; 10. Callum Sheedy, 9. Harry Randall; 1. Jake Woolmore, 2. Harry Thacker, 3. John Afoa, 4. Ed Holmes, 5. Chris Vui, 6. Steve Luatua, 7. Dan Thomas, 8. Jordan Crane (co-capt).
Replacements: 16. Nick Fenton-Wells, 17. James Lay, 18. Lewis Thiede, 19. Jack Lam, 20. George Smith, 21. Andy Uren, 22. Ian Madigan, 23. Tusi Pisi.
I’m extremely concerned that Chudley isn’t playing and Fotuali’i is his replacement. We are never going to get quick ball which will badly blunt our attack. We have two outstanding wingers but how often will they get the ball?
Given all the injuries the team looks really strong. I'm very worried about Kahn and I'm even more worried about our accuracy with the ball and potential to give them enough of it to run rings around us. Visions of Randall and Thacker tearing us apart on the wide Twickenham pitch.
Keep the ball, keep errors to a minimum, solid setpiece and we should be ok.
ballsout Given all the injuries the team looks really strong. I'm very worried about Kahn and I'm even more worried about our accuracy with the ball and potential to give them enough of it to run rings around us. Visions of Randall and Thacker tearing us apart on the wide Twickenham pitch.
Keep the ball, keep errors to a minimum, solid setpiece and we should be ok.
As has been commented on previously on many occasions our half backs have failed to fire and bring the backs into play and recently I feel Chudley has looked a little sluggish/tired ,along with the calls to starve Bristol of the ball by keeping possession points to Kahn being a good selection.Kahn is also one of our best players at disrupting opposition ball with turnovers.
Long Term As has been commented on previously on many occasions our half backs have failed to fire and bring the backs into play and recently I feel Chudley has looked a little sluggish/tired ,along with the calls to starve Bristol of the ball by keeping possession points to Kahn being a good selection.Kahn is also one of our best players at disrupting opposition ball with turnovers.
Relying on a scrum half who’s 37 next month doesn’t say much for our squad management.
Long Term As has been commented on previously on many occasions our half backs have failed to fire and bring the backs into play and recently I feel Chudley has looked a little sluggish/tired ,along with the calls to starve Bristol of the ball by keeping possession points to Kahn being a good selection.Kahn is also one of our best players at disrupting opposition ball with turnovers.
Relying on a scrum half who’s 37 next month doesn’t say much for our squad management.
Isn't it your theory that this is a must win game to avoid relegation and therefore should be considered in isolation as a priority. How have the scrum halves compared in training over the last two weeks?
There were plenty of people decrying the club for not offering Stringer a new contract when he was 37/38. Kahn's been closer to the action than Cook or Green in the last month, so it makes sense that he's next cab off the rank. Worrying if he brings last season's form, but 50/30 split with Cook could work.
Bath by at least 10, hat trick for big Joe or the 'Mac' !!!
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"AN OUNCE OF ACTION IS WORTH A TON OF THEORY"
FRIEDRICH ENGELS
I can see this going either way & remain concerned about our halfbacks compared to theirs. They are a team capable of scoring lots of tries, especially when you think you are in control. I think to win this game we will have to create & take a fair few opportunities ourlselves & to do so will need quick ball. If we either sleepwalk into the game or adopt our usual kamikaze tactics in the last quarter we will lose. We have a terrible run in so points gained in this match could be vital.
Stay positive! Some people on this forum think we are beaten before the team steps on the pitch. We will win tomorrow unfortunately 6th spot is in reality all we are fighting for.
Our team looks good, but agree with BO. Khan really needs to perform in a way we haven’t seen for a very long time.
In the absence of Chudders, then CC for me all day long. Good to see Sam back, and a testament to our loose forward depth that we are without both Flo and Talupe, yet we still look strong.
OutsideBath Quality of Bristol's coaching team and our weak mentality under pressure will be the most significant factors IMO.
Don't get this argument, if their coaches are as good as you suggest why are they not top 4, they have the money?
Because half their team are Championship players. If Lam and co had our squad at their disposal they'd be doing a lot better than we are. He'd instill a better (any?) culture, for starters.
So its a failing of their procurement team then. If not the perhaps those players are simply not available to sign.
They have the key positions sorted though at 9 and 10 don't they in Madigan and Randall.
We are told that that is what you need to pull you free from the relegation zone by some people.
I'm not saying Pat Lam isn't class but the point is it takes many components to build a component team and a few stars to take it to the next level.
Your point about coaching may well be right but when we now have 2 good ones in place (nearly), in GD and NH shouldn't we let it happen rather than pave the road to success with broken glass.
Tyler Offiah
Opinion is based on assumptions, whereas fact is based on observation or research.
Long Term As has been commented on previously on many occasions our half backs have failed to fire and bring the backs into play and recently I feel Chudley has looked a little sluggish/tired ,along with the calls to starve Bristol of the ball by keeping possession points to Kahn being a good selection.Kahn is also one of our best players at disrupting opposition ball with turnovers.
Relying on a scrum half who’s 37 next month doesn’t say much for our squad management.
So apparently Chudley is out injured, I will say it for you BO, doesn't say much for our medical team!
Supreme game management from Jamie Roberts, has 15 yard to run in a try in the 81st minute and he smacks it into touch for the win, you can open your eyes now danny!
Tyler Offiah
Opinion is based on assumptions, whereas fact is based on observation or research.
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