Seeking a Miracle: Exeter v Bath. ADD TEAM NEWS HERE
Underhill:: Fit again.
By P G Tips
March 20 2019
Having kept the faith to defeat Saracens, Bath must next seek a miracle at Sandy Park. Beating Saracens may have restored some of their supporters’ faith but also helped extend Exeter’s lead at the top of the Premiership. Unbeaten in the League at home this season, the Chiefs seem destined to finish top or runners up. Bath, by contrast, have lost touch with the Playoff group and face a dogfight for top European qualification. For them to win at Sandy Park appears a tall order.
Exeter welcome back 8 players from 6 Nations duty, have notched 11 try bonus points and boast a positive points difference of 158. Like Saracens, their close rivals for Premiership domination, their success is built on a clear identity, strong squad culture and simple game plan. In the past 4 seasons that plan has, if anything, become simpler while Saracens’ has developed in variety. Where Chiefs previously put their faith in invention and open play, seeking their bonus points out wide, they now rely on exerting pressure every bit as potent as their rivals’ “wolf pack”. The difference is that Exeter pressurise by dominating possession, a relentless series of mauls or pick- and –drives, eating up territory, forcing the opposition into retreat until an inevitable crack appears in the defence. With this style they minimise error, wear their opponents down and pile frustration on humiliation.
Chiefs men to watch could be Francis, Ewers, Dennis, Hill and Armand up front and Slade and Nowell behind – the latter two fresh from tearing first half holes in Scotland’s defence, reminiscent of Chiefs’ more romantic approach of 2 seasons ago. Such is the strength in depth of Baxter’s squad though that it is impossible to predict his selection, especially as they have been winning without many of their international stars. In truth they are spoilt for quality choice at front row, back row, halfback and in the threequarters.
To win at Sandy Park will require something special, but I expect Blackadder and his team to focus foremost on defence and possession. The Chiefs’ ruthless juggernaut can only succeed with the major share of clean possession. Bath must find ways to dominate their own set piece ball, disrupt their opponents’ and win turnovers. They will need to be especially cute at the breakdown where Exeter’s questionable rucking technique is yet to be called out. Law 15 states “Players must endeavour to remain on their feet throughout the ruck. “ and “Players must not: Intentionally collapse a ruck or jump on top of it. ”. Replacing “jump” with “drive” describes Exeter’s rucking in a nutshell.
To contest the breakdown, Bath will be heartened by the return of Francois Louw and Sam Underhill from injury. That news is balanced by continuing disappointment on the injury front- both Paul Grant and Josh Bayliss now out for the season, as is Jackson Willison who failed an HIA following an illegal clearout last time out against Saracens. Bath will probably opt for a lineup based on those who shut out Saracens, reinforced by returners from injury and internationals. That means continuing with Rhys Priestland at 10, although to make best use of Joe Cokanasiga and Ruaridh McConnochie, I hope to see Freddie Burns get some game time to try to unlock Chief’s defence.Anthony Watson is said to be recovering well and close to a return, but will he be risked or retained for the clash in April?
Exeter’s defence can be breached as Wasps, Quins, Northampton and Worcester have proven-all of them penetrating enough to snatch 4 tries. Tellingly though, the Chiefs were the away team for all those fixtures and, win or lose, each time gained a try bonus point of their own. Bath need as many league points as they can get, but must concentrate on winning – by whatever means works. Even that may take a miracle.
Possible Teams:
Bath: Catt, Dunn, Thomas, Attwood, Stooke, Ellis, Louw, Mercer. Chudley (Capt.), Priestland, Cokanasiga, Roberts, Joseph, McConnochie. Homer.
Replacements: Obano, Walker, Perenise, Ewels, Underhill. Cook, Burns, Wright.
Exeter Chiefs: Holmes, J Yeandle (Capt), Francis; D Dennis, J Hill, D Ewers, D Armand M Kvesic. White, Steenson. Woodburn, Devoto, Slade, Nowell. Dollman.
Replacements: Keast, Cowan-Dickie, Williams, Skinner, Simmonds. Townsend, Simmonds, Cordero.
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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2019:04:02:20:49:53 by P G Tips.
- Leicester vs Saints (better for saints to win and keep Tigers a few points below us?)
- Glos vs Wasps (maybe better for Glos win as we need to keep Wasps below us rather than catching Glos?)
- Newcastle to win v Sale please
- Worcester to beat Bris please
- sarries vs quins doesn't really matter to us now I suspect.
[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]
Quote:BathMatt53
In the other games of the weekend, I can't work out which results would be better for Bath?
- Leicester vs Saints (better for saints to win and keep Tigers a few points below us?)
- Glos vs Wasps (maybe better for Glos win as we need to keep Wasps below us rather than catching Glos?)
- Newcastle to win v Sale please
- Worcester to beat Bris please
- sarries vs quins doesn't really matter to us now I suspect.
If Newcastle and Worcester win, then it sets up a trend where any of the bottom 6 will all be in with a chance of relegation, and we really don’t want that with 5 away games out of 6 to come.
Sam on bench.
Bath Rugby team to face Exeter Chiefs
15. Tom Homer
14. Joe Cokanasiga
13. Jonathan Joseph
12. Jamie Roberts
11. Ruaridh McConnochie
10. Rhys Priestland
9. Will Chudley (c)
1. Nathan Catt
2. Tom Dunn
3. Henry Thomas
4. Elliott Stooke
5. Charlie Ewels
6. Tom Ellis
7. Francois Louw
8. Zach Mercer
Replacements
16. Jack Walker
17. Beno Obano
18. Anthony Perenise
19. Levi Douglas
20. Sam Underhill
21. Kahn Fotuali'i
22. Freddie Burns
23. Max Clark
P G Tips
Jaco Coetzee: my adopted Player, 2023-24.
Bath Rugby team to face Exeter Chiefs
15. Tom Homer
14. Joe Cokanasiga
13. Jonathan Joseph
12. Jamie Roberts
11. Ruaridh McConnochie
10. Rhys Priestland
9. Will Chudley (c)
1. Nathan Catt
2. Tom Dunn
3. Henry Thomas
4. Elliott Stooke
5. Charlie Ewels
6. Tom Ellis
7. Francois Louw
8. Zach Mercer
Replacements
16. Jack Walker
17. Beno Obano
18. Anthony Perenise
19. Levi Douglas
20. Sam Underhill
21. Kahn Fotuali'i
22. Freddie Burns
23. Max Clark
[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]
14 Jack Nowell
13 Henry Slade
12 Ollie Devoto
11 Olly Woodburn
10 Gareth Steenson
9 Nic White
1 Alec Hepburn
2 Jack Yeandle (capt)
3 Harry Williams
4 Dave Dennis
5 Jonny Hill
6 Dave Ewers
7 Don Armand
8 Matt Kvesic
16 Luke Cowan-Dickie
17 Billy Keast
18 Tomas Francis
19 Mitch Lees
20 Sam Skinner
21 Jack Maunder
22 Joe Simmonds
23 Sam Hill
Quote:Shadders
15 Santiago Cordero
14 Jack Nowell
13 Henry Slade
12 Ollie Devoto
11 Olly Woodburn
10 Gareth Steenson
9 Nic White
1 Alec Hepburn
2 Jack Yeandle (capt)
3 Harry Williams
4 Dave Dennis
5 Jonny Hill
6 Dave Ewers
7 Don Armand
8 Matt Kvesic
16 Luke Cowan-Dickie
17 Billy Keast
18 Tomas Francis
19 Mitch Lees
20 Sam Skinner
21 Jack Maunder
22 Joe Simmonds
23 Sam Hill
Ooph
Quote:Shorty Shorty iivQuote:Shadders
15 Santiago Cordero
14 Jack Nowell
13 Henry Slade
12 Ollie Devoto
11 Olly Woodburn
10 Gareth Steenson
9 Nic White
1 Alec Hepburn
2 Jack Yeandle (capt)
3 Harry Williams
4 Dave Dennis
5 Jonny Hill
6 Dave Ewers
7 Don Armand
8 Matt Kvesic
16 Luke Cowan-Dickie
17 Billy Keast
18 Tomas Francis
19 Mitch Lees
20 Sam Skinner
21 Jack Maunder
22 Joe Simmonds
23 Sam Hill
Ooph
Not sure why we should be hiding behind the sofa. Exeter are a very strong side but on paper at least we should be able to compete.
I'd take their 'winning habit and team ethic' over ours but not many of their players and certainly not their style of play
Bath by 2 points, C'mon !!!!!
Heart: Bath by 3
I would not be disappointed with any league points out of this match tbh as it means that we will have either run them close or scored 4 and both are not easy away at the league leaders with their best available team out.
[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]
Quote:BeergogglesQuote:Shorty Shorty iivQuote:Shadders
15 Santiago Cordero
14 Jack Nowell
13 Henry Slade
12 Ollie Devoto
11 Olly Woodburn
10 Gareth Steenson
9 Nic White
1 Alec Hepburn
2 Jack Yeandle (capt)
3 Harry Williams
4 Dave Dennis
5 Jonny Hill
6 Dave Ewers
7 Don Armand
8 Matt Kvesic
16 Luke Cowan-Dickie
17 Billy Keast
18 Tomas Francis
19 Mitch Lees
20 Sam Skinner
21 Jack Maunder
22 Joe Simmonds
23 Sam Hill
Ooph
Not sure why we should be hiding behind the sofa. Exeter are a very strong side but on paper at least we should be able to compete.
I'd take their 'winning habit and team ethic' over ours but not many of their players and certainly not their style of play
Bath by 2 points, C'mon !!!!!
I completely agree, on paper their team is really not that great, certainly no stronger than most teams including us can put out. 2 of the players in that team we decided were surplus to requirement, and I wouldn't have back over what we have now. There are a few players I would love to have here, but no more than other teams bar Saracens. They are in the top 2 for a reason, and I think it has everything to do with coaching and having a game plan that is ideally suited to the players they have
They are much more than the sum of their parts.
We are somewhat less than the sum of ours.
Exeter by 15 unfortunately.
PECK
I can sort of understand that, local rivals at the top of the table, some big names of our own back fit.
I have a hunch we will be in the mix for this one, could even force a shock. My biggest doubt remains on the ability to close a game out, it wouldn't surprise me to be leading with 10 to go and concede a try to lose with a BP.
It would genuinely surprise me if we got a beating.
See little chance of even getting near a LBP.
COYB
FLAP
[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]
Quote:southgate
Nice if the clear out was reffed correctly.
Speaking of which...
Referee: Karl Dickson (16th Premiership game).
Assistant Referees: Philip Watters & Jonathan Healy.
TMO: Keith Lewis.
Citing Officer: Nick Wood.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2019:03:22:18:42:14 by ballsout.
Quote:BathMatt53
In the other games of the weekend, I can't work out which results would be better for Bath?
- Leicester vs Saints (better for saints to win and keep Tigers a few points below us?)
- Glos vs Wasps (maybe better for Glos win as we need to keep Wasps below us rather than catching Glos?)
- Newcastle to win v Sale please
- Worcester to beat Bris please
- sarries vs quins doesn't really matter to us now I suspect.
wish i had put an accumulator on these!
[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]