Match preview: Bath need crusader spirit against Saracens

David Flatman opined a few weeks ago that “Bath do not need to catch the top 2 sides, they just need to keep beating the teams below them”. It may not be wise to argue with “Flats” but many will take issue with his view.

For a start, there is the emotional importance of the match. Bath’s coaches have admitted getting it wrong at Allianz Park in September and of course Saracens handed Bath their heaviest home defeat last season. Payback will be in many minds, even if it does not affect playoff or European competition places.

So that’s the heart, what of the head? While it will be a tough ask for Bath to close the 10 or 9 point gap on the top 2, the pursuit behind Bath is led by Leicester and Quins, respectively only 5 & 8 points adrift. As these 2 clubs face the bottom pair this week, a home defeat would probably see the Blue, Black & White in a 3 way dogfight for 3rd place.

Recent form and strength in depth will be much in the thoughts of both coaching teams as they prepare for Friday. McCall, managing his respurces carefully, kept Stevens, Borthwick and Burger out of his starting line up last Saturday in an attmpt to keep them fresh for the short turnaround this week. He was still able to field 4 internationals up front and six in the backs. Reputation meant nothing to Exeter though, who led for most of the first half and Saracens only looked safe in the final quarter. Their defence, one lapse apart, was the difference, denying Exeter momentum and forcing turnovers to turn the tide. Bath enjoyed a win against a Wasps team showing much more vitality than of late. Victory was secured with some fine tries, but defence and concentration seemed inconsistent, so Mike Ford will be looking for a much improved showing this week.

Selection will depend on injuries and on whether Stuart Lancaster decides to keep the England players in camp in preparation for the Wales match. Bath fans will hope that he returns Attwood and Ford to the home fold and for positive news on the injured Anthony Watson. Saracens, who admit to being below par in recent weeks, are apprehensive about the growing threat from Bath in midfield, so Ford pulling the strings could make the difference. Expect Saracens to want to deny Bath at source, play percentages and territory and rely on a game of kick and maul before releasing their backs down the blindside.

This one is a close call, but I back Bath to hold on to the home record – just. A single score win will do.

Possible Teams:

Bath: James, Batty, Orlandi, Hooper, Attwood, Garvey, Louw, Houston Young, Ford, Rokodoguni, Devoto, Eastmond, Agulla, Abendanon, Replacements: Catt, Guinazu , Perenise, Day , Faosiliva, Stringer, Henson, Watson

Saracens: Vunipola, Brits, Stevens; Kruis, Borthwick; Burger Brown, Joubert. de Kock, Hodgson, Wyles, Barritt, Taylor, Ashton, Goode Replacements: Barrington, George, Johnston, Hankin, Wray, Wigglesworth, Bosch, Tomkins