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PAST MATCHES: MY FAVOURITE 5

Starved of live rugby by the coronavirus pandemic I have been reminiscing about favourite matches of the past. There are many to choose from – club, international, Lions, Barbarians, but it is favourite Bath matches I’ll focus on here. Making the selection proved more difficult than for gaz59’s Desert Island Discs (I have 3 sets already for that thread) as there is such a rich heritage to choose from – and indulge one’s memory. So – here is my subjective favourite 5, in reverse order. You may wish to add yours.
PREMIERSHIP POSTPONED: WHAT NEXT?

The Gallagher Premiership has been postponed for five weeks, which has to be the right decision. In the context of the nations health, welfare and economic prosperity, rugby is a mere sideshow. The action does though raise several questions. Does postponement for pandemic mean pandemonium or panic? Will it be only for five weeks? Is the survival of some clubs threatened? When competition begins will tournaments be completed and qualification for European competitions decided?
GO WEST! EXETER v BATH

Fresh from frustrating derby defeat to Bristol, Bath face another west country rival seeking to preserve bragging rights. Both teams suffered narrow losses in the last Premiership round, though Chiefs will be on the warpath over controversial decisions, while it is hard to excuse Bath’s three to one try deficit. Exeter currently lead the table by five points, an echo of their finishing position for the past two seasons. It seems Bath go west with the writing already on the wall.
BEWARE THE BEAR; BATH v BRISTOL

Bath must beware the bear in the next round of the Premiership, Sunday’s home derby against Bristol. Bristol Bears inflicted Bath’s heaviest defeat of the campaign to date and, having weathered a fallow patch in December are resurgent, winning in 3 of their 4 league ties since the turn of the year. Bath’s record against other West Country teams has been poor since Mike Ford’s stellar 2015 season and England commitments look like disrupting selection again. So will Bears triumph again, or can Bath justify their DOR’s bullish optimism?
GAME OF CHEQUERS; BATH v HARLEQUINS

Having wobbled to a win over Worcester Warriors, Bath’s next Premiership quest is to quell Quins on Saturday. At their best, Quins can produce a game as colourful as their shirts, but this season’s performances and results have been as chequered as the pattern on those same shirts. They lie 7th in the table having won 4 of their 10 Premiership games to date, most recently subsiding at home against a revitalised London Irish. So can Bath expect victory or does the wily Harlequin have a winning trick up his sleeve?
GAME OF CHEQUERS; BATH v HARLEQUINS

Having wobbled to a win over Worcester Warriors, Bath’s next Premiership quest is to quell Quins on Saturday. At their best, Quins can produce a game as colourful as their shirts, but this season’s performances and results have been as chequered as the pattern on those same shirts. They lie 7th in the table having won 4 of their 10 Premiership games to date, most recently subsiding at home against a revitalised London Irish. So can Bath expect victory or does the wily Harlequin have a winning trick up his sleeve?
The Way of the Warrior: Worcester v Bath

Bath will want to pursue the ‘way of the warrior’ visiting Sixways in Saturday’s Premiership fixture. As Storm Ciara gives way to Storm Dennis, high and gusty winds and heavy rain are expected for Saturday afternoon, weather almost as unpredictable as last Saturday at Murrayfield. Constructive rugby may not be the answer in such conditions, but fighting spirit, cool heads and warrior hearts will be prized qualities. Have Bath got it in them to win?
England’s World Cup Hangover – A Bath Perspective

England’s 2020 Grand Slam ambitions disappeared on Sunday faster than you could say “Eddie Jones”. England’s promised physicality was slow to feature and aspirations to be “the greatest ever” looked hollow at half time and ridiculous a few minutes afterwards- staring at a 24 point deficit. The reasons were clear to see: unforced errors, poor decision-making, a lack of heavy ball carriers and leadership. But what next and what does defeat mean for Bath’s England players and hopefuls?
IMITATE THE TIGER: BATH v LEICESTER TIGERS

Bath must take a tigerish approach when the Premiership resumes at the Rec on Saturday. Visitors Leicester Tigers started the tournament poorly but have improved in recent matches. A dazzling backs display brought a bonus point win against Bristol in early January, hinting at more to come. Now events beyond the control of either club have changed the dynamics of the tie. So will Tigers’ resurgence continue? Or can Bath gain a home win and build Premiership momentum?
Blue, Black, White and Red. Ulster v Bath

Red and white plays Blue, Black and White at the Kingspan Stadium on Saturday. Bath’s European Champions cup hopes are squarely in the red already, while Ulster got their first touch of the blues, losing at Clermont last weekend. Both sides prospects are spelt out in black and white. Bath have only pride to play for but for Ulster this is no dead rubber. Currently the highest placed second team, they should reach the knockout rounds, but must win to make qualification certain.