Match Preview - One last hurrah?

This weekend Bath travel to the artificial pitch in the Allianz Arena  to mark the end (for Bath at least) of the 2012-13 domestic season. Although it hasn’t been quite the 9 months many of us would have hoped for, I am always sad see the end of another Premiership campaign. There is still something for Bath to play for against Saracens, and after our last victory against Leicester, I feel we can go into the match believing a result is possible. 

Days at The Rec don’t really get much better than our last home game to Leicester. A win against the old enemy is always sweet, but the manner of the victory always makes a difference. Not since Butch dove under the posts in 2008 have I heard the Bath crowd going so mad. OK, we made it harder than it needed to be by missing kicks and falling asleep in defence for their two tries, but it was a strong performance and hopefully one to build on moving forward.

With Exeter providing Wasps with a free lesson in rugby in the penultimate round, Bath now rely on two things if they hope to qualify for the Heineken Cup next season. Firstly, they have to beat top of the table Saracens (no mean feat). Secondly, Gloucester have to beat Exeter at Sandy Park. With both West Country teams not exactly great away from home, and Gloucester essentially nothing to play for, Europe is somewhat of a pipedream. Regardless however, I am sure Gary Gold and the team want to end the season on a high.

In a week dominated by the Lions selection, the biggest question on my mind was who Saracens would select to play. They are already guaranteed a home semi final and only need a losing bonus point to finish top of the table. With that coming up coupled with the exertions of their Heineken Cup defeat to Toulon on Sunday, I thought a few key players may be rested or rotated. Although there are some changes, they are incredibly strong and this will be one heck of a challenge

Having watched the way Toulon played in that second half, it is clear to me that Bath need to attack Saracens at the breakdown and play a fast up tempo game. We need to switch the point of attack and not get drawn into a slow brawl.

One of the reasons I think Bath played well against the Tigers, is that they weren’t expected to win. As a result I felt that they played with more freedom and expression. They put great pace on the game and really took it to Leicester from the start.  With Saturday looking to be dry, and the pitch guaranteed to be solid, I believe the conditions could suit Bath. That said, the foundations for the Leicester win were set up front and this is where Bath are going to really have to challenge Saracens.

With Vunipola and Stevens starting I can’t wait to see them up against James and Wilson. I know I have been harping on about their influence and their battles every week, but surely Wilson would want to assert himself against his England team mate and James want to prove the Lions selectors wrong by doing a job on Stevens! The front five is an area that should really be a close contest and one I’m looking forward to.

Once again this week Bath don’t really have anything to lose. They are up against the league leaders and their fate is not in their own hands. I’d love to see an attacking mind set and for the Bath backs in particular to go out and express themselves.

Last season Bath finished with a poor run of form and I wonder how much effect that had on a group of players who also had to get used to a new coaching set up. I think if we can continue to play good rugby then that confidence will flow into pre-season and onwards. We’ve signed some very exciting young players who will do particularly well if they come into a confident and cohesive environment.

We started the season with an away win and haven’t managed one since, let’s go out on a high and set the tone for next year. Good luck Bath, we’re right behind you.

P.S Thanks to one and all for reading, as always, it's a pleasure to be involved with COML.