Wasps -v- Bath Preview
By Lawrence Aggleton
January 26 2005
So then, after our sojourn in the Cups it’s back to the Premiership. Beginning a run of difficult matches are Wasps, who are fast becoming a bete noir for Bath. Whereas we’ve had successes against old rivals, Tigers, recent meetings with Wasps have not gone Bath’s way.
With the exception of a Brendon Daniel inspired triumph at
the Causeway early last season, it’s been all black and gold. We’ve
persistently bullied them up front, but equally persistently been smothered by
their rush defence.
Wasps seem to split (albeit unevenly) opinion from rival
supporters. Some dislike their
style of defence – which is either persistently offside or cleverly right on
the brink. Many seem to dislike
Captain Dallaglio as arrogant and belligerent to referees, and a majority are
unhappy with the way they’ve won the last two Premiership titles from second
place. From my perspective, I think
Wasps play a high-risk, exciting game. I think Dallaglio is an inspirational
leader who wears his heart on his sleeve and, while I disagree with the way the
Premiership is organised, I can’t lay this blame at Wasps feet.
None of this diminishes my wish to see us stuff ‘em!
So, can we do it? And if so, how? Well our Achilles heel
with Wasps seems to be interception tries.
The ponderous nature of our backline, combined with Wasps aggressive
defence makes us particularly vulnerable to this. Recent examples against
Leinster and Quins have shown that this problem is prevalent, and we must cut it
out to have any chance against Wasps. For me, Chris Malone needs to play with
his head up – if a kick or pass isn’t on, don’t go for it. In addition,
when we do make breaks, and Olly has made his fair share this season, our
support running must be better. Too
often we break through a line and fail to make anything of it.
Wasps, you can be sure, will make the most of any lapses.
While Wasps are still an extremely dangerous side, they
don’t appear to be near the levels they reached last season.
For me this is down to three players – Howley, Leota and Waters.
Waters was their defensive co-ordinator, without him they just don’t
seem to click quite as well. Leota, while not exactly the most accomplished of
line-out feeders, was an inspiration around the park.
And Howley was, along with Galthié, probably the best scrum-half of his
generation. Dawson is a good
replacement, but he’s not quite the same level. Leota has started coming back,
but it remains to be seen if he’s at his peak. Wasps have both first-choice
centres out – which may well be somewhere to attack. But the rest of the team
is exceptionally dangerous – especially the back row.
Lipman will have to be on top of his game to deal with my choice for
Lions Open-side – Jonny O’Connor.
In the end, our last four matches together have been
extremely tight. I see no reason why this won’t continue.
But if we show the guts and determination that got us through the
Powergen QF, and if we get Frikkie back from injury, we’ve got a good chance.
Bath by Two.
Bath (possible):
15 Perry, 14 Higgins, 13 Welsh, 12 Barkley, 11 Daniel, 10 Malone, 9 Walshe, 1 Barnes, 2 Humphreys, 3 Bell, 4 Borthwick, 5 Grewcock, 6 Beattie, 7 Lipman, 8 Feaunati. Reps: Mears, Stevens, Fidler, Scaysbrook, Williams, Davies, Crockett
Wasps (possible):
15 van Gisbergen; 14 Lewsey, 13 Erinle, 12 Hoadley, 11 Voyce; 10 King, 9 Dawson; 1 Dowd, 2 Leota, 3 Green; 4 Shaw, 5 Birkett; 6 Worsley, 7 O'Connor, 8 Dallaglio Reps: Gotting, Payne, Rees, Hart, Biljon, Brooks, Haskell
Wasps' last 5 matches:
Biarritz (a) L 18-15
Calvisano (h) W 45-14
Harlequins (a) W 15-27
Gloucester (h) W 33-20
Bristol (a) W 33-43 (aet)
Bath last 5 matches:
Sale (a) W 23-24
Bourgoin (a) W 17-23
Leinster (h) L
23-27
Saracens (h) L
6-13
Sale (a) L
19-10
Head-to-head
last 5 matches
Bath vs Wasps 16th October 2004 L 16-19
Bath vs Wasps (ZP Final) 29th May 2004 L 6-10
Bath vs Wasps 7th February 2004 L 6-10
Wasps vs Bath 5th October 2003 W 19-20
Wasps vs Bath 6th April 2003 L 36-17