Beware the Warriors!

After dispatching Newcastle Falcons with ease last Saturday, Bath next face another likely Premiership struggler in Worcester Warriors. With two impressive wins to start the season, Rec fans could be forgiven for licking their lips at the prospect of hosting the tenth placed team.  Before any chickens are counted though, there is the small matter of fielding a full and fit squad. A mounting injury list up front pared both front and back row resources to the bone last week: the pack which faced Falcons being some way different from the expected first choice.  Faletau, Denton and Wilson will be absent for a while, and there is little prospect of Garvey, Guy Mercer or Ellis being ready for this weekend.  There is more optimism though that Catt and Thomas may be fit in time, while backs Bowden and Watson are in training and available for selection.  Squad depth and rotation have become a theme early this season- out of necessity more than choice.

Warriors took the game to neighbours Gloucester last weekend and had impressive patches in taking a 23-3 lead, especially in the forwards. Their dominance must have had the likes of Burton, Fidler and Teague shaking their heads in disbelief at the indignities being inflicted on a once proud tradition.  A red card for former Rec star Alafoti Fa’osiliva undid all that good though, leaving Worcester frustrated with a draw instead of the possible 5 league points had all fifteen kept to the pitch. This week they will look to put that frustration behind them and earn their first win. They have the threequarters to threaten any under prepared defence: Teo and the highly experienced Olivier are strong, direct runners who will fancy a go against a slighter Bath midfield and on the wings they have similar power on Vuna and Heem or the pace and promise of new flyer Humphreys. They will be worthy opponents – not to be taken lightly.

Bath too have warrior stuff of their own. Not least, Dave Attwood whose performances so far could be interesting the Lions’ selectors as well as Eddie Jones. Ably supported by Charteris, Ewels or Stooke, he is likely to be the core man in whatever pack makes the start line. There is also the delicious possibility that the amiable and hugely popular Leroy Houston may be called upon, not long after arrival, to make up the numbers. Hopefully he will be recovered from jet lag in time to take a place on the bench.

With Ford and Rokodoguni in deadly form and the expected return of Watson, Bath will look to continue the fluent work which reaped rewards last weekend. The season has started with confidence, clarity and attention to the basics. Worcester should be a bigger test than Falcons, but a home win must be the likely result.

Possible Teams:
Bath:
Auterac, Batty, Palma –Newport, Attwood, Charteris, Ewels, Sisi, Z Mercer. Fotuali’i, Ford. Banahan, Bowden, Joseph, Rokodoguni. Watson.

Replacements: Catt, Dunn, Thomas,, Stooke, Houston. Homer, Homer, Williams.

Worcester:  Ruskin, Annett, Johnston, O’Callaghan, Barry, Betty, Mama, Dowson. Arr, Lamb. Vuna, Te’o, Olivier, Humphreys, Willison.
Replacements: Bregvadze, Leleimalefaga, Daniels, Van Velze, Kirwan, Hougaard, Heathcote, Heem