By Glen Leat
January 16 2004

Colomiers make the return trip to Bath after narrowly losing 25-32 last weekend in the South of France. This is another of those strange situations where the scores are added together to make up the overall result so this is well and truly the start of the second half of this match.

Having been used to losing backs all season the changes this week can be found in the pack. In form prop, Duncan Bell, returns to the side having recovered from a back strain, whilst Rob Fidler starts in place of Steve Borthwick, who misses the game after sustaining a split nostril in the opening leg in France last weekend. How the hell do you split a nostril? In all my years of watching rugby it is not an injury I have come across before. Players are able to wear padding bandaging and other forms of protection to prevent injuries but how do you protect your hooter?

The Bath Rugby official website reports coach Connolly saying, “The Doctor advised us that Steve should not play. He suffered a split nostril last weekend and there was the risk that if we played him and the wound reopened, he might require plastic surgery.” Amazing isn't it, we've suffered every form of common injury known to sport this season and now were starting on the obscure: what next, in-growing toenails, piles, gout, excessive earwax, split ends?

Jonathan Humphries and David Flatman have recovered from knocks sustained last week. Simon Danielli stays at full back with Ross Blake on the wing. Chris Malone returns to the bench for the first time since early November. 

According to last night's Bath Chronicle Colomiers coach, Jean-Luc Sadourney, reckons his team can upset the form book but if you look at the French team's recent form this has to be highly unlikely:

Many Bath fans enjoyed a week-end in France for the away match and a picture of the enjoyment sent in by Mike Senior can be found below. Are you in this picture? If so tell us who you are on the Messageboard. If you have pictures of you and your mates supporting Bath Rugby why not send them in and I'll put them on the Rogues Gallery.

Bath Team

15 Simon Danielli, 14 Andrew Higgins, 13 Kevin Maggs, 12 Alex Crockett, 11 Ross Blake, 10 Olly Barkley, 9 Martyn Wood, 1 David Flatman, 2 Jonathan Humphreys, 3 Duncan Bell, 4 Rob Fidler, 5 Danny Grewcock, 6 Andy Beattie, 7 Micheal Lipman, 8 Zak Feaunati.

Reps: 16 Hentie Martens, 17 Lee Mears, 18 David Barnes, 19 Chris Malone, 20 Scott Gray, 21 James Scaysbrook, 22 Matt Stevens.

If you can read French why not click here to see the Colomiers web site.