Match Preview: Saints halo to slip?

Having squeezed into their fourth European Challenge Cup Final, Bath now know they must meet Northampton Saints at least twice –possibly three times - at the tough end of the season.

Bath’s semi-final win over Wasps proves the progress of Mike Ford’s team, but highlighted plenty of errors under pressure. With only 5 days to prepare to meet the Premiership’s most incisive attacking side, Bath must feel they will be up against it. Both Friday’s opponents and chasers Quins are coming into form. Sale too cannot be discounted.

To be certain of a play-off place, Bath must get something from their remaining games against Saints & Quins. Two losing bonus points may be enough, but real safety demands a win in one of these fixtures. Last Friday Northampton rested several England players yet still dispatched Quins quite comfortably to take the other Amlin final place. It seems likely that they will restore their stars for the visit to the Rec, bringing back 3 players who have had a huge influence on England’s season-Courtney Lawes, Tom Wood & Luther Burrell.

To gain anything from this match Bath must be on top form, just as end of season weariness is starting to show. George Ford must find perfection with his kicking boots and the scrum, all-conquering in the early part of the season will need to renew that dominance. Most of all though it will be defence that must step up to the mark. Another early season strength, Bath’s defence has been stretched and breached too often for comfort in the past two months. Sunday’s Amlin semi saw two different defensive styles – the drift mostly effective but once breached for Helu’s try, while the press defence – a higher risk strategy, at least forced Wasps to play behind the gain line and forced both error and turnovers.

Friday’s key question is – can Bath repeat that press to force errors from Burrell and co in the Northampton midfield? Against Wasps Bath persisted with attempts at fluid, wide –passing attack, but failed to score tries that way – through fluffed handling under pressure. They did manage one superb score by Joseph, only to have it ruled out for an earlier infringement. As Northampton’s pack look likely to resist the driving maul more successfully than Wasps, a way through (or around) the backline defence is essential if Bath are to win.

At this point in a season predicting the line-ups is uncertain, but I expect both teams to go for the strongest squads available. It is unlikely that Dylan Hartley will be fit to lead Saints just yet and George North may be an injury doubt. Bath have question marks too - will Dave Attwood & Francois Louw be fit (their presence could be crucial) and will Matt Garvey-so influential a force all season- recover from what looked a serious ankle injury? Even with a full presence, I expect Saints to be too strong, but there are England tour places up for grabs and a few Bath players who have slipped below the national radar through injury or lack of opportunity will want to remind Stuart Lancaster of their mettle. Saints to win- but it will be close – let us hope that Bath can get at least a bonus point to keep play-off hopes alive.

Possible Teams:

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

Northampton Saints: A Waller,McMillan, Ma'afu; Day, Lawes; Clark,Wood (capt), Clarke,Dickinson. Dickson, Myler, Elliott, Burrell, Pisi, Collins, Foden. Bench: Denman,Haywood, Mercey, Manoa, Dowson, Fotuali’I, Hooley, Stephenson ​​