Match Preview: The Boys are Back in Town
By Ed Scott
October 19 2011
Round two of the Anglo-Welsh cup this week is a home tie against Premiership returnees, Worcester Warriors. A win would put Bath in the driving seat in their pool and perhaps convince a few of the doubters that this is a competition worth investing in.
Last week saw a strong performance and a seven try victory against a better Newport-Gwent Dragons side than many gave credit. I don't think we should play this victory down, we fielded lots of our youngsters ourselves, as well as playing away from home. If it had been a small margin of victory we might try and put it down to the opposition, but I feel that would be doing both our performance, and The Dragons, a disservice. Games like that aren't easy and our dominance showed on the scoreboard for a change.
I am always talking (as do many others) about the importance of confidence to a team. Saturday would have done our players (both the young and the experienced) a world of good. Momentum is key for us as we enter into the next round of Premiership games. As such, we need to carry the form from the Newport game into our match against Worcester.
The Warriors are not an easy team to beat. They have showed this already this season by recording victories in the Premiership over Northampton and Sale, as well as a well fought victory over Wasps in this competition last weekend. Looking at their squad, Worcester have good strength in depth for a side returning to the Premiership and could easily cause us problems if we don't take them seriously. Their form away form home isn't great, so early pressure and points on the board will be imperative to try and get their confidence down.
Saturday's clash carries significance on several levels for me. Firstly, it is an opportunity to give game time to our players returning from injury and the RWC. Many will feel a bit on the outside of the squad and it's a great chance to get these guys involved. Secondly, we need to put down a marker against a team like Worcester. Losing to another Premiership side, no matter what the competition, is not going to be great for when we face them away from home at the end of November. A good win for us will stay in the back of their minds for that game I'm sure. Finally, a victory and we are guaranteed to top our group, firmly putting us as favourites to make the semi-finals. Silverware, and early confirmation of a spot on Europe are both highly important to the club if we want to move forward.
Team selection is an interesting one this week. Louw, Wilson and Mears (who all had limited game time in the RWC) are bound to be available now. Carl Fearns and Olly Barkley look likely to return from injury, and surely Stuart Hooper, if fit, needs some game time. The problem also exists that we need to also use this competition to blood youngsters. Spencer, Woodburn, Beech and Heathcote are all likely to feature again. I wonder though whether the bench slots of Skuse and Tanner, as well as the starting places for Lilley and Beattie, will be under threat as we slowly bring back players.
Either way, as people return, selection issues can only be good for the squad. Geech has stated that he will stick with youth, which is good, but we also need to get players back involved and challenge for trophies wherever we can. I have felt in the past that this competition is a waste of time because we have never had the depth of squad to properly compete. This year I do not believe that is the case. We have youngsters such as Heathcote, Mercer and Palma-Newport who are contenders for first team shirts. If we can get the mix right, and another good win under our belts, then we all might start to find some love for the Anglo-Welsh Cup.
Match Preview: The Boys are Back in Town
Posted by: BathRugbyEre.co.uk (IP Logged)
Date: 19/10/2011 18:20
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:10:23:08:49:45 by Glen The Ed.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:10:23:08:49:45 by Glen The Ed.
Re: Match Preview: The Boys are Back in Town
Posted by: Peasedown Exile (IP Logged)
Date: 19/10/2011 20:03
Great Preview Ed, can't wait for the match now.
Re: Match Preview: The Boys are Back in Town
Posted by: Susanne (IP Logged)
Date: 19/10/2011 22:12
I hope you are right and we see my boy back, but apparently Olly is now still a couple of weeks off fitness.
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