Match Preview - Young Guns, Run Free

On Saturday Bath take on old rivals Gloucester in their final LV Cup pool game at Kingsholm. There are several permutations that go into qualifying for the semi-finals, but Bath are still in with a shot of a last four spot in this competition, which results in not only silverware, but a much coveted place in next seasons Heineken Cup.

Let’s get the logistics sorted out first. Bath are currently one point behind Northampton in Pool 4 with only the top side progressing. If Bath beat Gloucester and Saints lose to Exeter. Bath will go through. If Saints beat Exeter and get the try bonus point, Bath are out. When it gets (slightly) complicated is if both teams win or both lose. If Bath get five points from the game and Northampton get four, or if Bath lose but get the LBP and Saints get nothing against Exeter, then they will be equal on points and the team who has scored the most tries then goes though. Currently Bath have five and Northampton six. If tries scored and pool points are equal, then it goes on points difference........and breathe.

Essentially, our fate is not in our hands. Northampton are taking this competition seriously so are likely to be too much for a young but spirited Exeter side, albeit playing at home. As such, Bath’s priority must be to win their game first, but if they fail to score a decent number of tries (an ability lacking in this Bath side recently) then it is likely that the run will end at the pool stages for Bath.

Gloucester themselves are not without problems however. They are missing key players, especially in the front row, and look likely not to want to risk others with the Premiership starting again the following week, as it is impossible for them to win their pool. That said, they are playing Bath at home, so expecting anything less than a full blooded battle would be naive to say the least.

For me, I’d love us to progress, but as we have to rely on other results, a good win away from home is probably the most important goal. Bath desperately need to beat Worcester when they visit the Rec the following weekend and as such must develop a winning habit. Much is being made on COML and the press at the moment on who Bath are going to sign, who we need and who should go, but right now the squad is the squad and it needs to be made to work.

With the game falling on a weekend when the England Saxons are playing, as well as it being the start of the Six Nations, Bath will be missing their speedsters Biggs and Eastmond, as well as Davey Wilson, who will be on the bench for the senior side. We will be also be without the services of Tom Heathcote who has been named in the Scotland A squad this weekend.

The other big news this week has been the arrival and subsequent impact of Peter Stringer on loan from Munster. Most seemed happy that he was on his way to cover for the injured Michael Claassens, but I think all were ecstatic after his debut performance in the Blue, Black and White. A few are speculating on the board what Stephen Donald may be able to do with Stringer calling the shots and I will add my name to that list. I still believe that Donald is a fine player but has struggled to fit in. If he’s fit he will start this weekend. Hopefully Stringer will start at nine and begin to form a partnership to take into the Warriors game.

I would by and large expect the perhaps only a couple of changes in the team from last week. I know we are rotating second rows, but I really would play Attwood against his former club, particularly after his performance against Exeter. Resting players is a great luxury to have, but we also need to keep guys sharp and the only way to do that is to play.

After a nasty blow to the head, I am not sure whether Ben Williams will be fit to take the field this week. If he is absent and Hipkiss is fit, then I would expect him to take the 13 shirt and Banahan to move to 12. If not then Roko could find himself catapulted back into the starting line up at 13. I think the guy deserves another start and a chance to prove himself for a contract next year.

If Ovens has now recovered from his back injury, then he must get some game time, as should Carl Fearns, who we understand is ready to play. If Simon Taylor is able to play, he could also get a spot on the bench in preparation for the following week. With Mat Gilbert putting in an impressive debut last weekend, the back row is suddenly looking like an incredibly competitive place to be.

My team (dependent on player fitness):

1) Beech 2) Webber 3) Perenise 4) Caldwell 5) Attwood 6) Fearns 7) Gilbert 8) Koster 9) Stringer 10) Donald 11) Lane 12) Banahan 13) Hipkiss 14) Woodburn 15) Cuthbert. Replacements: 16)Batty 17) Catt 18) KPN 19) Day 20) Ovens/Taylor 21) MMM 22) Vesty 23) Roko

I do wonder with the Premiership coming back up whether the likes of Louw and Abendanon might also sneak into the squad to keep them ticking over? Alternatively, with a number of back rows potentially needing a run out, we may go with only two backs on the bench and another forward, such is the luxury that Vesty gives us with his versatility.

Saturday has to be about Bath further developing a positive mentality. They have now won three games on the bounce for the first time since October, but have not won four in a row all season. We desperately need to find some form to take into the Premiership, as well as a long awaited victory over Gloucester. Lets get experienced heads running the game and allow youth to get some tries on the board.