Quantcast

Get the Show on the Road. London Irish v Bath


Ford: Ponder

By P G Tips
November 3 2015

  After their most disappointing start to a season for three years, Bath next travel to Reading to face a London Irish side who are getting “much better” according to new supremo Tom Coventry. Last Saturday’s home defeat to Harlequins showed a vulnerability from Bath that has not been seen at home for some years, Irish meanwhile are in Coventry’s view “not far from our first win”. Bath’s job this weekend is to deny them that dream and get their own show back on the road. The graph of recent performance seems to have been heading the wrong way, so neither task looks easy.  

This could be “make or break” weekend for Bath. A win is essential to restore confidence and momentum before the opening European Champions Cup fixtures against Toulon & Leinster, followed by daunting Premiership dates with Leicester and Saints. As those are followed by 2 more “Group of Death” European fixtures against Wasps, Bath’s England contingent can feel they have been catapulted from frying pan to fire. Perhaps World Cup fatigue is responsible for the Rec team’s failure to spark so far, or it could be the off field distractions of salary cap rumours and Sam Burgess’s future? Whatever the cause, supporter morale has taken a battering, there is much soul searching to do and steely determination will be needed.

Irish might be tipped by many to be in the relegation dogfight this season, but a home game against struggling visitors would seem the ideal moment to start their revival. Their pack will be hard nosed in tackle and driving maul, as shown last week when they forced Saracens back over their line for a try. Expect them to scrap for every ball and spoil Bath possession, with Paice, Skivington and Scotland hero Cowan in the van. All will want to prove they are better than more illustrious opponents. The same could be true of their backs. Maitland and Tikoirotuma offer pace and strength on the wings and they will have noted the dents made in Bath’s defence by Visser & Yarde. Behind them the veteran Ojo is a third paceman with his own brand of unpredictability.

Mike Ford has much to ponder. His demeanour in interview after the Quins match spoke volumes and I expect that the squad will have been left in no doubt this week of what he expects. Fans will hope that his sharp words will have the same effect that Steve Hansen’s “hairdryer” did on the All Blacks at half time in the World Cup Semi Final. Top on the list is discipline: four yellow cards in 3 matches is just unacceptable. So too eight kickable penalties in a single game. Defensive discipline is high on the list too – it may be time to reconsider the narrow “drift” defence and guards around the rucks have to be better positioned, more alert. Bath’s lineout is improving, but still not secure enough: there is work to do on legal and power scrummaging too.

For all the woes of the past two weeks, Bath should have enough pedigree and experience to win. Even in an away fixture against an Irish team desperate for their own success, supported by a crowd who will probably pressurise three inexperienced officials heavily. Webber, Hooper, Day & Houston need to step up in the forwards. The half backs must aim for control and territory first, finding positions from which to build scores. There will be time to unleash the likes of Rokodoguni and Banahan, but I would not be surprised if it is tight to start with. Tight the scoreboard may be too, but I expect a Bath win: by a score or maybe two.

 

Possible Teams: Bath: Auterac, Batty, Thomas, Hooper (Capt) , Garvey, Fa’osiliva, Mercer, Houston. Matawalu, Ford. Banahan, Priestland , Devoto, Rokodoguni. Homer Replacements:   Lahiff, Webber, Wilson, Day, Burgess, Cook, Eastmond, Watson

London Irish:

Smallbone, Paice, Aulika, Skivington (capt), Symons, Sinclair, Cowan, McCusker. McKibbin, Noakes. Maitland, Fowlie, Mulchrone, Tikoirotuma. Ojo

Replacements: Ellis, Court, Halavatau, Sheriff, Narraway , Steele, Geraghty, Lewington.

View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.

Bookmark or share this story with:

Get the Show on the Road. London Irish v Bath
Discussion started by Comeonmylovers.co.uk (IP Logged), 04/11/2015 09:40
Comeonmylovers.co.uk
Comeonmylovers.co.uk
04/11/2015 09:40
What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:11:17:16:29:07 by Stuart Anderton.

Bathovalballer
Bathovalballer
04/11/2015 11:44
I hadn't read anything about Atters but assume from this team selection he is not fit. What is wrong and when do we hope to see him again?

MESSAGES->author
hasta
04/11/2015 11:59
PG Tips isn't actually selecting the team.

Bathovalballer
Bathovalballer
04/11/2015 12:14
Apologies for wrong use of words- but any news on Atters. IMO he is vital to our forward pack's ability to compete.

P G Tips
P G Tips
04/11/2015 13:13
Speculation on my part BOB- Atters took a knock shortly before Ward's try & a news report described him as "injured". No more confirmation than that.


PG

MESSAGES->author
OutsideBath
04/11/2015 14:15
Seems like Mike Ford isn't that confident of winning, which is concerning.

"We will still pick a side that we feel can beat or do very well against London Irish"

Bathovalballer
Bathovalballer
04/11/2015 16:18
I saw him leave the field and he didn't appear later afterwards of after the game. Desperately hope all is well with him. He is our best forward by a country mile and we need him this and every week, when fit.

Hugo.LI
Smudge21
04/11/2015 19:01
Irish fan here, would expect us to make a few changes from that lineup. Good luck for Saturday, hope to see some you guys at the mad stad!!

MESSAGES->author
TCM2007
05/11/2015 12:59
He was getting treatment right in front of me. Looked like arm/shoulder and he was in a lot of pain.

Stuart

Former ed.

Bath Hammer
Bath Hammer
05/11/2015 13:50
This could Irish's best chance of getting one over on us for quite a while with our depleted back row, lack of preparation & lack of form. It could be a long, hard & possibly embarrassing season especially as far as the European Championship is concerned.

Bathovalballer
Bathovalballer
05/11/2015 14:11
I hope you are wrong Bath Hammer but on reflection have to agree!

The Oilman
The Oilman
05/11/2015 16:48
This could be an uncomfortable wet trip up the M4.

annie blackthorn
annie blackthorn
06/11/2015 10:13
Let's hope they surpass your expectations - get fired up, as there must be a fair amount of frustrated fury about, and play with skill and gusto - but also concentration. We don't want a repeat of the unfocussed mistakes causing penalties last week!

p.s. good assessment as ever PG.

Bathovalballer
Bathovalballer
06/11/2015 12:08
For many reasons. we need a win - any win- to help get the club back on track!

Regret to say, we have never been more vulnerable and we will be lucky to get a win. I predict a loss by 10! My detractors will accuse me of being negative- and hope those who think differently are both right and are prepared to back it with cash at the bookies.

annie blackthorn
annie blackthorn
06/11/2015 12:24
I appreciate that you just love to be negative, but can't you keep your views to yourself at this time BOB? I prefer the thinking positive go get 'em boys attitude.

Jon_R
Jon_r43
06/11/2015 12:51
From an LI prapective the new set up is showing signs of improvement but personally think the fixture list has delt us short term issues for hopefully long term gain.....

First 4 games Tiggers, Chiefs, Sarries and Yourselves who you could make a case for the top four at the end of the season.....

After Europe we play, Wasps, Quins, Saint and Glaws who I think will be in the mix for Europe up To new year..... so must have some easier clubs after that!!

So long as the team have gelled and hopefully Falcons keep losing then I think we will be much stronger from Christmas when we will still have Sale, Worcs and Falcons toplay twice!!

My only worry would be if Falcons pick
Up to many points and we are playing catch up!

MESSAGES->author
jayeatman
06/11/2015 15:23
Quote:
The Oilman
This could be an uncomfortable wet trip up the M4.

Fingers crossed, the rain is forecast to clear around ko time.

BATH supporter since 1975

Adopted players:
2015/6 Tom Homer
2016/7 Matt Banahan
2017/8 Jeff Williams
2018/9 Victor Delmas
2019/20 Semesa Rokoduguni
2020/21 Will Stuart

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.
We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net