Match Preview: Bath Look to Restore Winning Habit

It’s back in the saddle with a vengeance for Bath after the break for the LV= Final weekend. Bath need to get back in the winning groove, after two successive home defeats.

On the face of it, London Irish could be just the team to put to the sword and restore some momentum and pride. Irish languish in 10th place, 23 league points behind Bath –who remain in third despite losing to Saracens three weeks ago. This though is a belated St Patrick’s Day celebration with over 20,000 tickets sold and Irish will be playing for pride too – as well as safety from the relegation zone.

Bath’s returning internationals have all had their moments in the recent 6 Nations. Standout has been Davey Wilson, surely now one of the best scrummagers in Europe. In partnership with Paul James he can be expected to bring a hardnosed edge to the front row (and perhaps the occasional gallop with ball in hand). Behind these two, Dave Attwood, a potent impact sub for England should lead from the front as scrum ballast, in ruck clear out and tackle. George Ford’s cameo against a tired Italian side showed that he can produce the try-making breaks at the highest level and he will be hoping for a further chance to press his claims as a starter for the New Zealand tour.

Rumour has it that Carl Fearns will return from injury for this match – if chosen I expect he will be on the bench as Garvey, Houston & Louw seem to be cementingthemselves as the first choice loose forward combination. Behind the scrum, Peter Stringer, fresh from signing his contract extension will wish to make St Patrick’s Day a visiting Irishman’s occasion and outside him, two Bath backs who were not called on by England- Eastmond and Watson could have the final say if the game turns out to be a runners festival.

Irish have their own stars of course, among them the under rated George Skivington and the abrasive Treviranus up front. In the backs, Humphreys or Geraghty to pull the strings, with the strike threat of Yarde, Ojo & O’Connor out wide. In the centre it could be the two direct & bruising chargers Mulcrone and Sheridan, hoping to gain an edge by taking on Bath’s more lightweight midfield. Irish have had away successes against Wasps and Saracens and would dearly love to add bath to their list of scalps, especially on a feast day.

Not so long ago, Bath made a habit of spoiling another London Club’s saints day celebrations. Even more recently, Bath might have targeted this match as one to add to their meagre tally of bonus points. I would prefer a return to the pragmatism of the early part of the season. Squeeze the life out of the opposition on their patch before thinking of cutting loose. A return to that sort of rugby – at least until the last quarter – may be needed if Bath are to take the 4 or more wins needed to finish in the play offs.

A month ago Bath might have taken this fixture lightly. Now, I very much doubt if they will. Bath have the firepower, they need to summon up the energy & hunger. A Bath win, however achieved, is what the fans want. I expect they will get it- but with some scares on the way.

Possible teams:

Bath: James, Batty, Wilson, Hooper, Attwood, Garvey, Louw, Houston, Stringer, Ford, Rokoduguni, Devoto, Eastmond, Watson, Abendanon Bench: Catt, Guinazou, Perenise, Day, Fearns, Young, Henson, Agulla,

London Irish: Yapp, Paice, Halavatau; Skivington (capt), Rouse; Low, Cowan, Treviranus. O’Leary; Humphreys, Ojo, Mulcrone, Sheridan, Yarde; O'Connor Bench: Parr, Stevens, Hagan, Sinclair, Danaher, Allinson, Geraghty,; Lewington