Match preview: Silverware or bust

This is it. Bath’s last game of the season and last chance of silverware. A season that began in hope grew to credible expectation, but latterly has threatened to finish in frustration.

Mike Ford admitted as much last Saturday week after defeat at the Stoop. Nearly is not good enough for this group of players, their abilities and ambitions.

Ford made no excuses but noted that slips earlier in the season had condemned Bath to an unofficial Quarter Final in the last fixture of the Premiership league rounds – against the only other Play Off aspirant in that position. His son George will doubtless have reflected that one or two more successes with the boot would have made such a match unnecessary. The time for might have beens is over. Friday night gives this fine Bath team a chance to reprise the last trophy they won-as long ago as 2008- a contest they have seemed destined to lead from first to last this season.

Northampton stand in the way. In many ways they have played the most complete rugby this season. They have intensity to match the big predatory beasts –the Tigers and Barnet’s “Wolf Pack” and the most positive attacking game plan of the Top 4. Their penetration can come close to the set piece, through the midfield or out wide, all fifteen are comfortable on the ball and they possess the most successful goal kicker of the Premiership. And yet, they have trailed Saracens for most of the season. And yet, there are flaws – of tactics and mindset, as last Friday’s close –call home semi win over Tigers suggests. Having stood toe to toe with Saints on 2 May and emerged honours even, Bath may fancy they can lay a bogey to rest.

Northampton also have the distraction of a looming Premiership Final of brutal intensity against Saracens to add to injury & suspension worries. Coach Jim Mallinder has admitted that he will probably rotate his squad through the next two fixtures and it is hard to see him doing anything else. The Premiership Final will be his priority aim, his first choice front row selection is constrained by injury (or recent return from injury) and a red card. He also has plenty of faith in his squad’s strength in depth. This is a Cup Final though, so his changes are unlikely to be radical. Bath – with only one remaining match to focus on - can select their best available, with only injuries to tie their hands. It will be fascinating to see who is chosen.

Several Saints “occasional” starters have had fine seasons – Haywood, Van Velze, Clark, Stephenson, Wilson & Collins to name a few. Some will probably start-others may have to be content with a bench spot. For Bath, it is the injury news that fans will be watching. With news scarce about the highly influential Matt Garvey & Rob Webber, only the most optimistic would expect them to start. The bustling Ross Batty is another hooker on the injury list and would grace the squad if fit. If ever there was a time for Francois Louw to make his rumoured return –this is it. His presence on the ball, breakdown skills and notably, his leadership would give Bath an incredible boost. Nick Abendanon is another subject of anxious player watch. A brave, try-scoring hero of Bath’s last Amlin triumph, his presence will matter to the fans – not just the emotional send-off he deserves, but his electric counter attack could be a decisive differentiator. If he is not fit, it is to be hoped that Kyle Eastmond, missing from the fray of late, will be available to offer an alternative option of unpredictability -but from midfield.

That two sides of the pedigree and strong supporter base that Bath & Saints have are only allocated 3,000 tickets between them is a scandal. In my opinion the situation is exacerbated by the state of the Millenium Stadium pitch, which cannot host two games in a weekend, and the inability of Cardiff City’s ownership to see the commercial value of a rugby match in their arena. A 25,000 seater venue would be much more appropriate for these two clubs –even on a Friday night and ERC must look into final arrangements next season to prevent a recurrence. None of that, though, is relevant to the likely match outcome. Dave Attwood has spoken of Bath’s “desperation” to win the Cup, his belief that this is a great team that needs to show the character to deal with hard times and that the team can do it this week. Mike Ford has stressed the need for Bath to prove their worth among top company –so the intent is there. They might have added that emotion & motivation is not enough: coolness and composure will almost certainly be needed.

The side that has that on the night will win. It is too close to call.