Match Preview: Derby Time
By Ed Scott
October 4 2012
The first local derby of the season is upon us this weekend, courtesy of a visit to our friendly neighbours, Gloucester. Away victories are never easy in the Premiership, and regardless of form, it doesn’t get much harder for Bath than a trip to Kingsholm.
We witnessed a slightly frustrating but ultimately satisfying victory against the struggling Sale Sharks last weekend, but are likely need to pull a victory out of the bag on Saturday if we hope to finish the first run of Premiership games in the top half of the table.
For me the positives mostly came from the forwards, with a powerful showing in the set piece and stand out performances from Attwood and Wilson. Stephen Donald seemed a little off the pace (as well as picking up a knock) but I felt showed some classy touches and great vision. When he is fully fit his passing and tactical kicking is going to worry defences and I really hope he’s ok for Saturday.
Bath’s record away to Gloucester in recent years does not make for pleasant reading. In fact, Bath’s performances against them in general has been poor, with only one (home) Premiership victory since 2008, as well as having lost both home and away in the last two seasons. We have to go back even further, to February 2006, for the last time we won at Kingsholm.
Much is made of the pace, guile and youth of the Gloucester backs, but I actually feel that it has been in the pack where Bath have suffered against their local rivals over the last few years. My enduring memories from last season’s away game consist of every (maybe a slight exaggeration) scrum turning into a penalty against us, and as a result simply not being able to get any sort of hold on the contest.
The environment in front of The Shed is unpleasant for visiting teams in general, but there is a special distain and desire reserved just for Bath in the hearts of the Gloucester faithful. The extra edge and bitter rivalry means something to the fans and should do to the players. I hope Gary Gold has been instilling that within the team this week, because Bath are going to have to seriously raise their game if they hope to take anything from this match.
This season Gloucester have had, in many ways, a similar time to Bath. They’ve notched up three decent wins, a draw and a close loss to table toppers Northampton. A statistic of note is that they have also conceded an average of 23.6 points per game. Like Bath, Northampton is also the only team they have played from the ‘big guns’ so it makes the form of both sides still a bit tricky to judge.
From what I have seen of the Cherry and Whites so far this season, Freddie Burns seems to be taking control of the 10 shirt and beginning to really mature. He has great game management, a good turn of pace and lovely distribution skills. Much is currently being made of Owen Farrell and George Ford, but Burns could be a dark horse in the race to be the next England fly-half. He is also a Bath man and has already been talking this week about how much he is up for the game. The bottom line is that he must be shackled and given minimum time and space.
Olly Barkley’s departure leaves a big gap in the Bath team this week. Tom Heathcote is reportedly not fit yet, Stephen Donald looked to be in discomfort at the end of the Sale game, Banahan is reportedly not ready and Williams is also a doubt. If all are unavailable the backline looks very sparse for Saturday, with Ollie Devoto potentially in line for a start alongside Sam Vesty. That would be a baptism of fire for the young lad and I hope to see the combination of Donald and Williams.
In the forwards I fully expect the front row to remain and for Dave Attwood to retain his place in the second row. This would be harsh on the excellent Dominic Day, but with Hooper’s hamstring strapped with ice after the Sale game and Will Spencer only playing a half for United on Monday, we could potentially assume that injury may make the selection decision for the coaches. I felt Hooper really performed on Saturday and we will really miss his presence, particularly in the line out. Personally I would have Skirving and Taylor as second row cover and put both Skuse and Ovens on the bench for some extra mobility.
Saturday is another stern test for the Gold administration with the odds, statistics and recent history stacked against Bath in many ways. I do feel however that this is the best chance we have had at Castle Grim for a while. If our forwards can continue to improve and we keep the game tight, Bath might just sneak it.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:10:20:10:31:43 by hasta.
Dream on Bri!
Quote:except that Bri would have had Bath dominating in every area, having superior players in each position, and expecting to thrash Gloucs....Bri
Great Preview,felt I could have wrote it myself.
Good preview.
Quote:Dorset BoyQuote:except that Bri would have had Bath dominating in every area, having superior players in each position, and expecting to thrash Gloucs....Bri
Great Preview,felt I could have wrote it myself.
Good preview.
I did put it as a laugh Boy,I meant how well it was written but your right I think we would of dominated a bit more if I'd wrote it but hey ho.
Vesty was kicking that day and was 50% at best I recall.
Hoping for a much closer game this year.
C'mon you Bath!