Match Preview: Woes for Worcester?

Saturday brings another pivotal Premiership encounter for Bath. With 3 league games remaining Bath stand 4th and confirmation of play off status is close, but tantalisingly uncertain.

All the top 6 sides have a tough run in, so a win on Saturday will probably see Bath into the semis but Quins & Sale both have a chance to ruin that ambition. Northampton & Quins are the final pair of obstacles, so maximum points from Saturday’s contest must surely be the aim. Opponents Worcester stand on the brink an abyss: Bath, Saracens, Gloucester is not a run in for the faint hearted, especially when 7 points adrift at the bottom of the table.

The two sides have experienced contrasting fortunes over the past month. The home team have struggled for consistency since the tail end of the 6 nations, losing 2 successive home Premiership matches for the first time in 2 years and performing fitfully during the course of a match even when winning. Last Saturday’s last gasp win at Kingsholm though was a triumph of character and it’s psychological value could yet prove immense. Winless warriors have swapped woe for wonderment in the same period – picking up 7 of their 12 league points in a mini revival of 4 consecutive matches, including their win at Newcastle Falcons 2 weeks ago.

Perhaps Dean Ryan’s quoted goal of survival is realisable after all? Only a fantasist or one-eyed Warrior fan would bet much on that. To overhaul Newcastle, Worcester must win 2 of their remaining fixtures while the Falcons fail to get a losing bonus point. They do carry threats: Chris Pennell is a favoured fantasy squad target of many COML posters (to replace Bendy) & David Lemi has stung Bath repeatedly for both Bristol & Worcester. Their physical centre pairing Fatikaki & Grove may fancy a go at Bath’s midfield. It is up front however, where Worcester have struggled for most of this season. They have been adept on occasion at slowing & spoiling opposition possession, but not often sharp in producing enough quick, clean ball of their own for their backs.

Bath look like a side in need of a refresh. The return of Rob Webber & Jonathan Joseph from injury or some squad rotation may well return sharpness and snap to the team. After last week’s exertions I would not be surprised to see a few rested and one or two of the bench players given their chance. Two “heroes & villains” of Kingsholm can breathe more easily after being cited. Nick Abendanon & Paul James both drew the ire of the RFU- “Abendanon and Paul James have been given post-match Level One citings – the equivalent of a foul play yellow card – for striking Knoyle and a stamp on Shaun Knight respectively. No hearings will be held for these citings”.

Bendy’s cracking form on the break & counter will be keenly awaited, but there is an argument to give the loose head start to Nathan Catt to keep the scrum penalty count down. A dry, sunny day in forecast suggests another look at the back row too –perhaps Guy Mercer’s pace or Matt Gilbert’s all round enterprise will get rewarded? Agulla looked to me to be struggling with a dead leg last week, so he might give way to one of the many talented backs we can rotate. Whichever selection Bath field I expect them to win: they know this is the moment for that final surge that will endorse the faith of the pundits, set up for the final challenge and make the season a success.

Warriors will fight to live up to their name, but after last week I see them being vanquished. Bath by 15.

Possible Teams:

Bath

Catt, Batty, Wilson, Hooper, Attwood, Garvey, Mercer, Houston, Stringer, Ford, Rokoduguni, Henson, Eastmond, Watson, Abendanon Bench: James, Webber, Perenise, Day, Fearns, Young, Banahan, Joseph,

Worcester

Fainga'anuku, Creevy, Murray, Percival, Galarza, Williams, Betty, Thomas. Arr, Lamb, Lemi,Fatiaki, Grove, Drauniniu, Pennell Bench: Shervington, Andrew, O’Donnell, Taulava, de carpentier, Su’a, Warwick, Symons