News: Preview Bath away on a cold February day. Great Stuff!
By David Lowrence
February 19 2015
This Saturday sees the visit of Northampton Saints to Bath for what I always regard as one of the best fixtures in the calendar. In spite of what you may have read last week this match is indeed the top of the table clash, and could see a change in the leadership of the Premiership. With Bath riding high in the table, and Saints having stuttered somewhat in the past few weeks this has the makings of a classic game, although having said that I will almost certainly be proven wrong.
Aviva Premiership round 15
Bath Rugby v Northampton Saints
Saturday, 21 February KO 15:15
Recreation Ground Bath
A quick look at the top of the table shows how vital this game is for both sides.
A bonus-point win for Bath would see them draw level with Saints, but because of the five points difference, they would draw ahead of Saints into the top spot. So where will this match be decided? Being the rest week of the six nations tournament, a number of players from both sides will not be available. Much will depend on who is released back to their club and who will have to remain in camp for the next game. Currently the Bath team will be without:
Bath Players retained for training
Dave Attwood
George Ford
Jonathan Joseph
Anthony Watson
Players released
Kyle Eastmond
And for Saints
Saints Players retained for training
Luther Burrell
Dylan Hartley
Players released
Calum Clark
Alex Corbisiero
Courtney Lawes
Stephen Myler
Tom Wood
On the face of it therefore Saints have the advantage, but of those released, only Stephen Myler and Calum Clark are certain to be in full condition to start.
In addition, George North will not be released by Wales, and the injury list includes :
Ben Foden
Courtney Lawes
Tom Wood
It was also very remiss of Salesi Ma'afu to pick up a 2 week ban yesterday, for the most innocuous of strikes on Guest last week. So while Saints would appear to have an edge in the starting 15 on paper , on the muddy Rec this could be very different indeed, stretching our strength in depth credentials to the limit.
Bath have been very strong of late, but without their tyros were put away by Saracens at the Allianz last week. They will be looking to get back on track at home, and facing a weakened and stuttering Saints travelling contingent, could well provide an upset. I suspect they will put out an unchanged side, offering us a chance to decide for ourselves on the development of Sam Burgess
Starting 15
15 Tom Homer
14 Semesa Rokoduguni
13 Sam Burgess
12 Kyle Eastmond
11 Olly Woodburn
10 Ollie Devoto
9 Chris Cook
1 Nick Auterac
2 Ross Batty
3 Henry Thomas
4 Stuart Hooper
5 Dominic Day
6 Matt Garvey
7 Francois Louw
8 Leroy Houston
Bench
16 Rob Webber
17 Max Lahiff
18 Kane Palma-Newport
19 Alafoti Fa'osiliva
20 Carl Fearns
21 Micky Young
22 Richard Lane
23 Luke Arscott
On COYS there has been much debate as to what the side will be, and I am inclined to think that our best will be:
Starting 15
15 Ahsee Tuala
14 Ken Pisi
13 George Pisi
12 Tom Stephenson
11 Jamie Elliott
10 Stephen Myler
9 Lee Dickson
1 Alex Corbisiero
2 Mike Haywood
3 Gareth Denman
4 James Craig
5 Christian Day
6 Phil Dowson
7 Calum Clark
8 Samu Manoa
Bench
17 Matti Williams
18 Alex Waller
18 Tom Mercey
20 Sam Dickinson
21 Teimana Harrison
22 Kahn Fotuali'i
23 James Wilson
24 Sam Olver
I think both sides will play an expansiive running game, but it will be very close - Bath should edge it with home advantage, but I think the two teams above will produce a 3 point win for Saints --- with the potential perhaps of a draw. I think whatever the result Saints will still be top on Sunday
Dorian West Says:
Ken Pisi Looks Ahead
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COME ON YOU SAINTS!
New signings, David?
(Only joking - nice reviewing, sir).
David L
What if there were no hypothetical questions?
- Live wrong and preposterously
I'm more gloomily inclined: too many disruptions to the squad, too many poor performances recently, and we're confronting a team who've shown greater consistency and were a tad unlucky to lose last weekend.
We may not be weakened by the absence of Salesi, but is Calum fully fit? Is Denman? Is Corbs? And is Ace in tune with his back three partners yet, let alone the rest of his teammates?
Fingers crossed that you're right but - away at the Wreck, on a sticky old pitch, I fear the worst. And who is the whistler...?!
Just seen it is Greg Garner, which is a good sign. He won't favour either team and he won't indulge in strutting histrionics, on past record.
*I could agree with you - but then we'd both be wrong...*
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:02:19:22:21:04 by Saint Dom.
David L
What if there were no hypothetical questions?
- Live wrong and preposterously
I think it's too tight to call and will come down to slim margins. I hope that whatever the result we are talking about the players and not the ref.
Good luck for the rest of the (regular) season. (Not including this Saturday of course.)
Im curious why a bonus point win would send Bath top even though we are on equal points? Currently our points difference is +6 to the good. They would have to beat us by 7 points or more to go ahead on PD? Indeed if they didnt PD is immaterial as a LBP would keep us one point ahead. Maybe Ive been watching too many LV cup games.......
Quote:King Curtis
What's a three-point win?
It's a win by 3 points
Perhaps Bath haven't had one lately.
David L
What if there were no hypothetical questions?
- Live wrong and preposterously
Heart says a sneaky win for us, head says Bath by one score or more...
As always the match will be won and lost in the tight fives. I feel Wilson & Attwood are BIG losses for Bath while for Saints losing Dylan, Maafu and Lawes can be covered by some very handy replacements. I very much hope we'll win the setpiece battle.
I also feel Saints have the edge in the halfbacks with Ford missing.
Backrows I think will cancel each other out.
We're missing our two big power runners in the backs in North & Burrell, but they lose their gas in Joseph & Watson. They have their power runners and they have Eastmond, but I back our defence to keep them in check. Even if they break tackles I back our guys to get enough body weight onto them to slow them enough for the cover to arrive. Pace though is really hard to defend against.
I'm cautiously optimistic. It'll be tight, but games like this are where champions are made.
We can do it.