Match Preview - Beaver Fever
By Ed Scott
November 23 2011
On Friday Bath travel up to Sixways as they make a return to the Aviva Premiership against Worcester. A five day turnaround is not ideal, but it's a game that Bath should really be expecting to win if they are to stake a claim as Premiership contenders. We need to be cautious about getting ahead of ourselves though as it is the kind of match which could easily result in a loss if we don't approach it in the right way.
The big news this week (and not just on ERE) is the win against Montpellier on the weekend, and most of all, the contribution of Stephen Donald. The papers, the pundits and the fans have all had nothing but great things to say about our World Cup winning fly half and his performance. Although I don't believe he is the solution to all our problems (he's not a prop after all!), he certainly seemed to provide a fair few answers on Sunday, and I will have given the team a real lift. I often felt that when Butch played, the likes of Claassens and Barkley would rise to join him. I think that Donald may well have the same effect, with his presence and authority giving quality and confidence to those around him. We suddenly have a leader in the backline and I really hope he just gets better and better.
Thoughts now though have to move back to Friday where we are still in a position to make a play for the top four in the Premiership. The next two weeks will be key however, with two wins from two almost a must. Worcester however are a canny bunch and shouldn't be underestimated. They have a robust pack, and Shaun Perry is a very classy operator at scrum half.
It'll be interesting to see whether Andy Goode or Joe Carlisle gets the nod in the 10 shirt for Worcester. On a Friday night at home, I'd be expecting Goode to play. He is likely to use his big accurate boot to play for territory and then rely on the likes of Craig Gillies to steal key lineout ball. It's a simple game plan, but sadly for Bath, this could well be a rather effective. With Batty likely to be out, the lineout is looking very precarious and could make for a very tricky night on Friday.
What we must do against Worcester is take our chances. They will have holes in their defence, but we need to be clinical. If we allow them to get ahead with a couple of penalties, we could end up chasing the game. They are more than capable of shutting up shop and playing for territory once ahead.
For me, one of the best things about the first 20 minutes against Montpellier was the pace at which we played the game. There seemed to be much more aggression at the breakdown from the whole pack, with Francois Louw a stand out performer in the loose. It doesn't seem to matter if he plays open or blind, he always seems first on that ball and is a great asset to the team. We need to up the pace and get early points on the board. Montpellier came back at us, but I believe the Warriors heads will drop if they fall two scores behind early in the game.
It looks like Matts Banahan and Carraro are going to be out for at least one more week, but Stephen Donald will play. A friend of mine in sports sponsorship hosted him at the O2 tennis on Monday night and he said his hand was just bruised. Apparently he is also a top unassuming bloke who talked really passionately about his love for Bath already. I expect Sam Vesty (who had a good game on Sunday) to start again at 12, but I'm guessing Olly Barkley will get 20+ minutes this week as his fitness improves.
Hooker is obviously our big problem. I'm assuming that Lilley will start, but who will sit on the bench remains unclear. I'm sure he will have been practising his throwing like mad this week, with shortened line outs, front ball, and quick throw ins bound to be part of the strategy. Hopefully the gash in Batty's leg will recover enough for him to be ok for Sale, but our longer term problems remain.
I feel optimistic about the game on Friday night. I'd prefer to be playing Worcester on a nice sunny Saturday afternoon, but it is what it is. Hopefully the team have confidence and momentum going into the match and they'll be able to repeat the performance from the LV Cup game at home. Is the future bright? Perhaps it's simply All Black.....
Match Preview - Beaver Fever
Posted by: BathRugbyEre.co.uk (IP Logged)
Date: 23/11/2011 18:19
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:11:25:23:07:56 by Glen The Ed.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:11:25:23:07:56 by Glen The Ed.
Re: Match Preview - Beaver Fever
Posted by: marshie10 (IP Logged)
Date: 23/11/2011 19:56
Sam Betty is going to get it, for those of you that can't remember him, he's the one that put in the heinously high and illegal hit on Flo in the LV. And then proceeded to beat his chest and start mouthing off. I think his card has been marked. I believe it is in Newcastle as well after he did the same to Jimmy Gopperth...
Re: Match Preview - Beaver Fever
Posted by: DA Bath (IP Logged)
Date: 23/11/2011 22:00
Horstmann, Percival Balding and a TH all out for Worcester so they may be lacking some grunt. Expect their pack will look something like Mullan, Lutui, Tamopeau, Jones, Gillies, Betty, Best, Kvesic. Louw v Betty and Gillies v Lilley should be interesting.
Big question is Hooper/Caldwell/Attwood. Is this the week to not start our lineout captain? Attwood must start on the back of a short turn-around.
Big question is Hooper/Caldwell/Attwood. Is this the week to not start our lineout captain? Attwood must start on the back of a short turn-around.
Re: Match Preview - Beaver Fever
Posted by: callmeMrTibbs (IP Logged)
Date: 24/11/2011 08:51
Betty is clearly a loose cannon. So rather than 'getting him' I hope our guys are subtle enough to simply wind him up, wait for him to strike out, then do the same again when he returns from ten minutes in the bin. Two yellows equals a red equals a useful victory for the BB&W.
Re: Match Preview - Beaver Fever
Posted by: OldmanofDorset (IP Logged)
Date: 24/11/2011 12:05
"It'll be interesting to see whether Andy Goode or Joe Carlisle gets the nod in the 10 shirt for Worcester".
Indeed. Would prefer them to play Carlisle as he didn't really give them additional attacking options in the LV whilst the old skullet will take advantage of any infringements to deliver territory and points keeping them close on the scoreboard.His old mate motor mouth Healy is pressing his case a lot and is likely to drone on about this in the ESPN coverage.
I like worcester as a venue and we have a good record there, but, unfortunatley friday night tarffic and ESPN means watching this one from home.
Indeed. Would prefer them to play Carlisle as he didn't really give them additional attacking options in the LV whilst the old skullet will take advantage of any infringements to deliver territory and points keeping them close on the scoreboard.His old mate motor mouth Healy is pressing his case a lot and is likely to drone on about this in the ESPN coverage.
I like worcester as a venue and we have a good record there, but, unfortunatley friday night tarffic and ESPN means watching this one from home.
Re: Match Preview - Beaver Fever
Posted by: callmeMrTibbs (IP Logged)
Date: 24/11/2011 12:29
You got your wish, Oldman, Carlisle it is.
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