What's the prize for Cockers' crew?
By Go Bath!
January 28 2014
It's not difficult to see the potential prize a win at Welford Road would bring Bath, a home semi final but what's the prize for the Tigers?
Following defeat at Quins they are reliant on beating Bath to progress whilst keeping their fingers crossed that Sale don't win at Ospreys and that Exeter don’t crash the party. Will Leicester be interested? Well there is the small matter of pride and history not to mention the blistering they would have recieved from Cockers after the Quins game makes this match far from decided.
Given that both sides are far removed from the two that shared the points in the Aviva dont expect too much change from the two sides that played in round 3 as both clubs field the players that are left after international duty and injuries. To recap last week's teams were -
Leicester: 15 Scott Hamilton, 14 Blaine Scully, 13 Matt Smith, 12 Terrence Hepetema, 11 Adam Thompstone, 10 Ryan Lamb, 9 David Mele (c), 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 Pablo Matera, 6 Michael Noone, 5 Sebastian De Chaves, 4 Steve Mafi, 3 Fraser Balmain, 2 Rob Hawkins, 1 Tom Bristow.
Replacements: 16 George Chuter, 17 Boris Stankovich, 18 Tiziano Pasquali, 19 Harry Wells, 20 Will Owen, 21 Scott Steele, 22 Owen Williams, 23 Henry Purdy.
Bath: 15 Horacio Agulla, 14 Richard Lane, 13 Matt Banahan, 12 Ollie Devoto, 11 Tom Biggs, 10 Tom Heathcote, 9 Micky Young, 8 Leroy Houston, 7 Alafoti Fa'osiliva, 6 Matt Garvey, 5 Ryan Caldwell, 4 Dominic Day (c), 3 Juan Pablo Orlandi, 2 Ross Batty, 1 Anthony Perenise
Replacements: 16 Eusebio Guinazu, 17 Charlie Beech, 18 Kane Palma-Newport, 19 David Sisi, 20 Guy Mercer, 21 Mat Gilbert, 22 Martin Roberts, 23 Gavin Henson
Expect a few starting to swap with the bench and perhaps the most notable changes coming at fly half for both sides, MacHeathcote selected for Scotland "A" could mean a start at 10 for Ollie D or Gavin for Bath and potentially Lamb for Tigers dropping to the bench after the performance at Quins - but who would they play instead?
With no surprises forecasted for Friday night just the usual rain, wind and hurricane with a an occasional fly past of signage, this could turn into an arm wrestle. Saying that I have faith so Bath by six!
As a final thought a loss for the BBW could mean an away semi final at Saints which prior to the great result in the A league would have been game over rather than game on!
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Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2014:02:04:13:41:05 by TCM2007.
I expect the pack to stay the same for us and I've got my fingers crossed we will see Henson at 10.
If any teams are tied at the top, the first tie break is tries scored (Sale has 8, Exeter has 8, Tigers have 6) and if that is equal then points difference decides (Sale +12, Exeter +16, Tigers +12)
So Tigers are the least likely to qualify of the three unless Sale lose away against a weak Cardiff side, in which case it gets very close. Tigers have plenty to play for I think
Thompstone has been called up to the Saxons squad so may not be available. Williams would replace Lamb if Cockers decides to make a change
OD looks good at 12 but has played at FH on occasions, so suspect coaches will give him the nod with GH in at 12.
Lane had a poor game last time out, so Woodburn might get a start with Lane dropping to the bench.
Need to find some more promising backs for the Academy to develop. Options at 12 & 13 are very limited for next 6 weeks or so.
Quote:but what's the prize for the Tigers?
Bath at Welford Road? - can't see them wanting to do anything but win, even if it were a dead rubber.