Deadly Derby? Gloucester v Bath

There is seldom any love lost between Gloucester and Bath. This season there is more than the usual local rivalry to stir the spirits, more than local bragging rights at stake. Gloucester DOR David Humphreys admitted last week that a top 6 finish “now looks unlikely” as, following two successive defeats,  the Cherry & Whites lie 7th in the table. Bath are 2 places and 6 league point behind and both teams will be challenged to catch the pack of teams who have established themselves as top 6 contenders for most of the season. With few games remaining, all win chances must be taken if ambitions are not to crumble into dust. The Kingsholm outfit will also have the motivation of trying to avenge 3 seasons of Bath doubles in this explosive fixture.

Humphreys’ team may take comfort from leading their neighbours in the table, but that will be scant satisfaction as Gloucester’s performances have been almost as inconsistent as those of Mike Ford’s men. Certainly the last 2 matches, away defeats to strugglers London Irish & Worcester leave Gloucester looking uncharacteristically vulnerable. This is odd considering the work that they have put in in recent seasons to restore the once fearsome reputation of their pack. Wood, Hibbard and Afoa form a gnarled and wily front row, while Kalamafoni and Evans can be relied on for the heavy traffic carrying duties and Kvesic is one of the best openside poachers in the Premiership.

Their threat behind misses the pace and unpredictaibility of May, but should be reinforced by the return to club action of Scots Captain Laidlaw to bring direction, tempo and, if needed international class goalkicking. Outside him Hook remains one of the most mercurial and enigmatic talents among a large handful of Welsh outside halves. If he can get his attacking game going, he has plenty of pace in support in the threequarters available.

Bath will have returning internationals too.  It seems inconceivable that they would not be used when hope of rescuing the season almost certainly rests on refreshing a tired squad. Ford may not want to change his whole backline, but with Eastmond still struggling with fitness, I imagine George Ford and Joseph will start and Priestland will be on the bench. It is these three and Watson, all sharp in their own ways in recent 6 nations matches who will carry Bath’s main hopes of a rare away victory in a so far disappointing campaign.  The energy of Amanaki Mafi  will be welcome if he is fit to play and it seems that Francois Louw has escaped a citing after his deserved, but unlucky, card last week.

To have any chance, Bath must start with the intent and intensity of recent matches, maintain defensive shape and a territorial edge throughout and keep a full complement on the pitch for as much of the game as possible. All these are a tough ask in what is bound to be a hostile atmosphere. Perhaps that very hostility is the spur they need? Some old fashioned derby day spite could be the fuse to spark the explosion fans have waited too long to see. There is no time for comfort zones and little for over elaboration. A win is  must, in any style – but form to date and the bookies will favour the hosts.

Possible Teams:

Bath:, Lahiff, Webber, Wilson. Hooper (Capt), Ewels, Garvey, Louw, Mafi. Cook, Ford,  Banahan, Devoto, Joseph, Rokodoguni. Homer.

Replacements: Catt, Frost, Thomas, Day, Houston. Evans,  Priestland, Watson.

Gloucester: Wood, Hibbard, Afoa, Thrush, Galarza, Kalamafoni, Kvesic, Evans. Laidlaw, Hook, Sharples, Meakes, Twelvetrees (capt), Trinder; Cook.

Replacements: Dawidiuk, Thomas, Doran-Jones, Savage, Ludlow, Braley, Atkinson, Marshall