A Chance to Impress: Bath v Ospreys

  After 4 very satisfying weeks since the New Year Welford Road hangover, Bath’s focus is divided this week between 6 nations and LV= Cup. For 8 members of Stuart Lancaster’s extended EPS squad there is the hope of a place in the Cardiff bound 23. Paul James will hope to join them in the red of wales, while the rest of the squad can progress to the higher levels of a third club competition if they win their home pool encounter against Ospreys. Ospreys are without a win in the LV this season, so Bath will fancy their chances, but progress to the knock-out rounds will depend on the performance of other clubs in their pool – notably Gloucester, who enjoy home advantage against Harlequins and Saracens, who host Exeter Chiefs. All Bath can do therefore is win their match and, hopefully, win it well with a healthy points difference and a bonus point.    

So, what should Bath do? Reinforce the team with returning Saxons to maximise the chance of victory, or stick with the mix who so doggedly slugged out an away win at the Stoop? My money is on the latter, perhaps with the addition of some experience to direct play in midfield. Last Saturday that experience came in the form of Matt Banahan. This week the coaches may opt to use Olly Devoto, who got very little game time for The Saxons in Dublin. They could also continue the development of Sam Burgess. Whatever selection is chosen, Bath’s youngsters have shown themselves capable of standing toe to toe with more seasoned opponents, both in earlier LV rounds and in the A Team competition for the United. Nine of the team that beat Quins have enjoyed first team AP rugby this season- a strong showing for a “development” competition.

In their wins so far, Bath have shown two different styles: an expansive run fest yielding 6 tries against London Welsh, then after initial backline enterprise, grinding out a win versus Quins through scrummage power, pressure and a late penalty goal. Indeed this flexibility is becoming the hallmark of the whole squad as the final two European Champions pool games showed. On Saturday we can probably expect a mix of the two styles as the blue, black & white scrum has proved a potent weapon all season. Add to that the pace of wings Lane & Woodburn, plus the counter attacking verve of Agulla and Bath have the armoury to keep their opponents guessing.

This is a chance for several players with immediate AP squad ambitions to impress. Barring injury or experimentation, it could be the last chance this season for many of last week’s squad to start a game. The entire back row and Devoto will want to show off their prowess, while the young half backs will have England Under 20 selection in their sights. An Anglo-Welsh encounter should have plenty of “edge” and an entertaining afternoon is in prospect.

Possible BathTeam: Auterac, Dunn, Palma-Newport, Day, Ewels, Fa’osiliva, Mercer, Sisi. Homer, Jennings. Lane, Devoto, Clarke, Woodburn,Agulla Bench: Lahiff, Woolstencroft, Ellis, Northcote-Green, Stringer, Banahan, Wacokecoke