Bath Power Up For The Saints

Lift The Gloom?
By Glen Leat
January 24 2003

There was a time when then the name "Bath FC" was metaphorically etched on the the English domestic Cup at the start of the season but that was a long time ago. These days we approach every match with great apprehension and this quarter final clash against Northampton is no different.

After the disappointingly close call against Montauban last week the Bath coaches will be looking for a higher calibre performance against the Saints which means Mike Catt starting the game. "Catty will start at number 10, and that will give us a cutting edge from mid-field which we have perhaps lacked while he has been missing," Brian Smith told the Press Association today. "If we can take Northampton on successfully up front and give the halfbacks the platform, then Mike can give us the attacking threat in the wide areas, where we feel we can hurt Northampton. We are quietly confident we can make home advantage work in our favour." So quite a confident mood in the Bath camp.

After the 20-17 victory over Wasps in the last round Bath have got to maintain their Cup momentum, even if it means going all the way by the skin of their teeth. The Bath fans need something to shout about and the players need a win to boost their confidence. Never before has this club needed Mike Catt to take control of a game as much as we do this one. During our hey day we used to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat with the "never say die" attitude that the likes of Spurrell, Hall, Chilcott and Simpson used to instil in to the team; today's players could do a lot worse than spending an afternoon watching the videos of our old stars to see that even when losing with just seconds to go the team believed they could win.

Injuries continue to hamper Bath's attempts at making something of the season with both Iain Balshaw and Dan Lyle suffering with shoulder problems. Whilst Balshaw's absence has a greater impact, losing Dan Lyle for some 12 weeks is not good news because the US Eagle's influence both on and off the field is essential to bolster the confidence of the forwards.

A win for Bath, I wouldn't put too much money on it but you never know - "Never say die" boys!!

Bath Squad
Backs: Olly Barkley, Mike Catt, Gareth Cooper, Alex Crockett, Simon Danielli, Kevin Maggs, Chris Malone, Matt Perry, Mike Tindall, Tom Voyce, Andy Williams.

Forwards: David Barnes, Andy Beattie, Steve Borthwick, Simon Emms, Alessio Galasso, Danny Grewcock, Jonathan Humphreys, John Mallett, Lee Mears, James Scaysbrook, Gavin Thomas, Nathan Thomas, Adam Vander.

Click on to the Northampton Saints site for their perspective on things.

Click here to link to a classic match between Bath and Northampton.

In preparation for this clash let's have a look at a few recent statistics:

Biggest Win

Player Greats

Last Meetings (Bath scores first)