A Big Ask: Leinster v Bath

  Having clawed their way back into Premiership playoff contention, Bath’s focus switches to European knockout rugby.  This weekend’ s match is a big ask. Bath travel to Dublin to face three times Champions, Leinster Bath’s European nemesis. Of the 6 European matches between the teams Leinster have won five, doling out some hidings to Bath in the process, such as the 52-27 walloping in 2011. With Ireland’s 6 nations triumph a recent memory, the Aviva Stadium likely to be packed with fans in holiday mood and Bath having struggled through the last few fixtures, the trip looks like a forlorn hope. Can Bath pull off an upset?  

Leinster may have said goodbye to the leadership that took them to European dominance a few years ago – Joe Schmidt having graduated to coaching Ireland and Brian O’Driscoll retired, but they still contain threats throughout the team. Up front Healey, Cronin, Ross, Toner & McCarthy form a potent front five who will look to provide a platform for all international back row of Murphy, Heaslip & O’Brien to carry deep into the heart of Bath’s defence. Behind them a choice of international scrum halves Eoin Reddan or Isaac Boss can pair up with Ian Madigan to provide the tactical direction. Even in the post O’Driscoll era there is plenty of pace and flair to call on behind these three: Luke Fitzgerald, Rob Kearney, Darragh Fanning and Zane Kirchner all capable of tearing a defence apart if given space to run. There will be no respite for Bath when the Dubliners bench come on either – with Strauss, Jennings, Gopperth and D’Arcy likely to feature.

To counter these all round strengths, Bath would normally look to a strong set piece to put their opponents on the back foot and a high tempo approach with slick passing to find gaps to exploit. Both will require hard work in training this week. An underwhelming win last weekend, albeit in very difficult weather and with the sweetener of a bonus point, needs to be consigned firmly to history. The first four choices at prop are injured and many of the backline have spent the last two months away on international duty. The return of the internationals will certainly give a confidence boost and one week’s rest is unlikely to mean ringrust. Much will depend on how well the stand in props fare. So far Auterac and KPN have done all asked of them. Bath fans will hope that Lahiff, covering his less familiar side and Obano can follow their example. Also crucial will be the loose forward battle – and here fingers will be crossed that Francois Louw is fit to provide turnovers, support and his own particular brand of leadership.

The odds are against Bath, but this is Cup rugby, when anything can happen. Commanding away wins in Montpellier & Toulouse have shown the way. Bath have a great opportunity, win or lose, to show what they are made of, in front an international sized crowd. They must rise to the challenge.

Possible Bath Team: Auterac, Batty, Palma Newport,  Hooper, Attwood, Garvey, Louw, Houston. Cook, Ford. Banahan , Eastmond, Joseph, Watson. Agulla

Bench: Obano, Webber, Lahiff, Day, Fearns. Stringer, Devoto, Homer