Hope & Determination: Leinster v Bath

It is better to travel in hope than expectation –so the saying goes. Bath found new hope last Sunday in Toulon. Now they must head to Dublin’s Saturday encounter marrying hope with determination. Determination to turn performance into points. Determination to continue improving- especially in those areas that eventually undid Sunday’s fine challenge. Determination to pierce the Leinster defence, to deny the so far winless Dubliners a morale-boosting win. Above all, determination to win. To stand any chance of making the quarterfinals, Ford’s men must not only win both their remaining pool games, but also win them well – almost certainly with bonus points. Can it be done? That is the spice of cup rugby.

For all the hope engendered by a much-improved showing, which rocked Toulon, Bath’s chances look bleak.  Leinster may be struggling, but they have a reputation to protect, European pedigree based on experience and a strong squad most Aviva Premiership teams would envy. They have the advantage of an extra day’s recovery in this round and of a less congested fixture list. Should Leinster wish to batten down the hatches and slug out a defensive win they have the men to do so – with a power pack based on the likes of McGrath, Ross, Healy, Strauss, Cronin, Toner, Murphy & Heaslip. Halfbacks Reddan & Sexton are adept at playing the territory and pressurizing opposition back three units. These two, backed up by Boss and Madigan can also be relied on to get a highly dangerous three-quarter line into action – one reinforced this year by Ben Te’o, who will surely fancy another chance of a run at a comparatively slight midfield. It will not be easy in the lair of a wounded beast.

To be sure to enjoy the craic afterwards, Bath should adopt a bit of what used to be known as the “old Irish spirit”. Not poteen, but the “devil” that so characterized Irish national and provincial teams when their dander was up. Mike Ford spoke on Sunday of “bottling that edge for the rest of the season”.  Earlier he had said “If someone is trying to knock your head off, you do it back”. Not literally perhaps, but a toe-to toe spirit from all 23 is needed in these games. Heart wins cup matches as much as body and mind. Leinster will be sure to call on it- Bath will need to find more this time.

Technically, Bath seem to be getting a grip on their lineout and have already done a scrum number on the Dubliners at the Rec – four international props and all. This they will need to repeat, for, if given a sniff, their opponents can turn the tables with interest. As Bath’s backs found when playing for England last year, the Irish are a handful at the breakdown and can stifle the best attacks with their choke tackling. Sean O’Brien may be missing, but there will be other exponents of the art to carry on his work – Bath need to flood that breakdown at the right moments to get the front foot ball their game needs. If it is true that “the Bath way has been sussed out”, there is a simple answer. Play to a simpler, more direct game plan to get the nudge on, before employing the fancy stuff and letting the backs loose. The evidence of Toulon is that George Ford has rediscovered his ability to control a game and that –for these high-pressure occasions- Chris Cook (named in the Times team of the week) is the ideal partner.

Banahan and Rokodoguni were potent threats on the Mediterranean coast, but it was the men in front who made that possible. The return of Stuart Hooper and to fitness of Francois Louw were invaluable and all six front rowers played like heroes. More will be needed from them this weekend.  Before the teams are named, the English contingent in Bath’s squad will have found out if they feature in Eddie Jones’s 6 Nations plans.  Hopefully he will have kept faith with Jonathon Joseph, the vote of confidence to bring out the flair and threat which so lit up a similarly daunting trip to Toulouse at this stage last year.

If he can, and the other parts of last week’s performance can be repeated, Bath have the skills to win. They are becoming the sum of their parts. If they can exceed them, they should win, but it will probably not be enough for a place in the last eight.

Possible Bath Team:

Auterac, Webber, Wilson, Day, Hooper (Capt), Garvey, Louw,Houston.
Cook, Ford. Banahan, Eastmond,  Joseph, Rokodoguni. Watson
Replacements:  
Lahiff, Batty, Thomas, Ewels, Denton. Matawalu, Priestland, Homer