Match Preview - Threat of the Warriors

By Ed Scott
March 1 2012

With only six games to go, every point is precious as we move towards the business end of the Aviva Premiership. On Saturday we welcome Worcester to The Rec, still holding onto the faint hope of a place in the top six and therefore that vital Heineken Cup qualification spot.

A few people on the board have been asking what the point of getting into the Heineken Cup is when they feel we don't stand a chance in it next season. Firstly I would say that this is a team, that if it clicks, does stand a chance of doing well in the competition - let's not give up on a European Campaign when the season hasn't even started! Secondly, the top talent want to test themselves by playing in the premier European club competition, so it is key when it comes to recruitment. Finally it brings in revenue, plain and simple. Yes, Bruce is loaded, but he's not going to pile endless cash into the club. We need to make money and we need to be in this competition.

Last weekend Bath ground out a good win away to Exeter. Although I'm aware it was far from a vintage performance, the reports left me with two main plus points. One was that we were able to change our tempo and pull back a six point deficit after half time. Two was that, under pressure, we managed to hold out Exeter in the last few moments, thus avoiding the last minute implosions we have become so accustomed to this season. We know that there is a fair way to go, but these kind of gritty wins will always have a positive effect on the team as well as our position in the table.

The away match to Worcester was undoubtedly one of my low points of the season. Not simply because I have half a dozen friends who are Warriors fans (I ended up switching my phone off!), but because of the half baked, headless and soulless nature of our defeat. I think we have come a long way since then, but the memory of that game stays with me like the 0-16 loss to London Irish at the Rec two seasons ago.

For me, Bath are best when we put pace on the ball. Worcester have got a pretty big pack and a solid set piece, so it would be unwise to try and bully our way to victory. Claassens was much improved this week and he will need to fizz in order to create space for our outside backs. There is no reason why we can't play an expansive game, even if it is a bit damp.

The one area where I feel could have the edge this game is at the breakdown. I would imagine that our backrow will remain the same, and although this is an area of strength for Worcester, Louw really is a class above the rest with Taylor and Skirving also on great form. Carl Fearns is also likely to be on the bench and I wouldn't be surprised if Skirving goes to the second row a bit earlier than usual, not only to give Fearns more game time, but to also give a rest to one of the tireless duo - Attwood and Caldwell. With Fearns and Mercer as rapid impact later in the game, we really should be able to up the pace when Worcester start to tire.

Another key area this week will be our kicking game and the positional play of our back three. Andy Goode has a big boot and will try to pin us back to dominate territory. Any return punts must be well executed to avoid giving space to the highly dangerous Miles Benjamin (a consistent thorn in the Bath side over the last few years) and Marcel Garvey. Even though they are not necessarily known for their running game, Worcester are more than capable of throwing the ball around, so our line speed and defence needs to be water tight.

This is a game that Bath should surely expect to win. Although we are just one place ahead of Worcester in the table, they have won only once on the road in the Premiership this season (against Wasps) and Bath are four wins from five at home in 2012. We claim to be a top six team so the points should be there for the taking. As we know however, the Premiership cannot be predicted by statistics. Worcester have taken a lot of top teams close this season and have recorded home victories over Northampton and Gloucester as well as taking the scalp last week of champions Saracens.

I expect this week to be a highly physical encounter but genuinely feel optimistic about the game. It looks as if there will be few changes to the team sheet this week with perhaps Vesty getting the nod over Barkley at 12 and Cuthbert taking the full back slot. Nathan Catt was spotted in a sling after the game, so may or may not be fit. If that is the case then Flatman or Beech will take over the Loosehead berth. Being able to field pretty much the same team each week makes such a difference to our continuity.

Confidence should never drift into arrogance, so we have to again remember to play for 80 minutes as Worcester could easily turn us over. Aggression at the breakdown is key and we must get Biggs and Banahan into the game early. Bath must bring everything to the table because if we underestimate Worcester again, I may have to find a new friendship group!

Match Preview - Threat of the Warriors

Posted by: BathRugbyEre.co.uk (IP Logged)

Date: 01/03/2012 22:17

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:03:04:17:43:15 by Susanne.