Our First Game of the Season - Bath Preview

Bath Time
By Billy Hamilton
August 29 2002

If I had been writing this article this time last year it would not have been so positive. Bath was one of the strongest sides in the Premiership and being tipped to contest the title with Leicester. London Irish, on the other hand, was being tipped as relegation fodder.

We now know how the season went. It was London Irish who finished high in the table as well as winning the Powergen Cup. Bath was the strugglers finishing just above bottom-placed Leeds.

In any other season we might have expected Bath to pick themselves up and be going into the season with renewed confidence. However their woes have increased. A long injury list, problems with recruiting new players within the salary cap, changes in management and doubts about their future at the Rec mean uncertainty in the Bath camp.

London Irish remain on form and during the close season have strengthened their squad. The performance at Greystones against a weak Leinster side must raise some selection questions. The forwards have an embarrassment of riches and I cannot see that we should worry about what combination is picked for this game. It is the backs that give cause for concern especially in the centre. If Brendan is still unfit who should fill his place? Rob Hoadley did not instil confidence at Leinster. Perhaps Kevin Barrett should fill the place. Also does Pieter Rossouw come in on the wing or do we continue with Sackey and Bishop who were outstanding in Leinster and New Zealand respectively?

Whatever combination is decided on we must go into this opening game with confidence. In two wins against Bath in the Cup and League this year we scored 51 points to their 24. Roll on Sunday and hopefully we will start as we mean to go on with a win and how about some more bonus points this season boys?

 

London Irish has announced the following team for its Zurich Premeriership home match against Bath on Sunday, 1st September, 2002, kick-off at 3.00pm at Madejski Stadium, Reading.

Team:

15. Mike Horak*; 14. Paul Sackey; 13. Geoff Appleford*; 12. Rob Hoadley; 11. Pieter Rossouw*; 10. Barry Everitt; 9. Darren Edwards; 1. Neal Hatley; 2. Naka Drotske*; 3. Simon Halford; 4. Ryan Strudwick (Captain); 5. Bob Casey*; 6. Paul Gustard; 7. Kieron Dawson*; 8. Chris Sheasby*.

Replacements:

16. Kevin Barrett; 17. Mark Mapletoft*; 18. Richard Kirke; 19. Mike Worsley; 20. Rob Hardwick*; 21. Declan Danaher; 22 Jeff Fahrensohn*.

*Denotes International;

Director of Rugby: Conor O’Shea; Player/Coach: Brendan Venter

Team News

A thorough pre-season training programme that culminated in a short tour to Ireland and a victory over current Celtic League and inter-provincial champions, Leinster sees London Irish starting its Zurich Premiership campaign in good heart. Injuries to Brendan Venter, Nick Burrows and Glenn Delaney mean they are unavailable for selection, otherwise the team has been selected from the full squad.

Previous Results

Zurich Premiership 2001/02

11/11/01 Bath 19 London Irish 11

10/04/02 London Irish 31 Bath 15