By P G Tips
November 10 2015
Bath venture into the Dragons Den this Saturday. Not the TV show to impress venture capitalists, but the Stade Felix Mayol, home of Toulon, who will breathe a very different fire. These dragons are not the ones hot, cold or lukewarm about backing your business scheme, but the dominant force in European rugby: intent on scorching visitors on the pitch, roasting them on the scoreboard. Cynics and critics of Bath & of the European Champions Cup may describe this venture as the clash of the billionaire owners, so the big business theme is relevant. Mourad Boudjellal has assembled the most expensive collection of global talent possible, while Bruce Craig’s ambition to make Bath competitive in such company is well known, witness the swift signing of David Denton to fill a gap in our back row- one week after it appeared. So for another week at least, we could be condemned to read more about the sorry saga of Slammin’ Sam or the failed farrago of Faletau. The game itself should need no hype or media manipulation to be compelling viewing. Toulon, three times champions in quick succession, can select from a squad of 46: 28 of them internationals. If some of these, like Paul OConnell, are injured or are rested after their World Cup labours, it is still embarrassment of riches exercising the minds of their coaches as they chose Saturday’s selection. Currently Toulon stand 4th in France’s Top 14, behind only rising force Clermont, European aristocrats Toulouse and Craig’s old club, Racing. Bath meanwhile are 5th in the Aviva Premiership on points difference, having lost two of their opening fixtures. What should we expect for the first European clash: lambs to the slaughter, or a tale of plucky underdog resistance?
Bath will have something to say about that, of course. There were signs at the Madejski last Saturday that the Blue, Black & white were shaking off their early season torpor. Imperfect it may have been, and still ill-disciplined, but a 6 try away performance spoke of determination, verve and a happier spirit in the camp. Maybe off-field issues have affected the squad and they were sending a signal that the settling of the Burgess issue is the start of a revival?
Revival or no, Toulon will be firm favourites. With star names and pedigree from stem to stern, they can choose from the likes of Mafu, Stevens, Guirado, Gorgodze, Juan Smith, Fernadez Lobbe and Armitage up front, Quade Cooper, Bastareaud, Mermoz, Habana behind. It is feasible that World Cup stars like Vermeulen, Giteau or Drew Mitchell might be their reinforcements from the bench. There will be threats everywhere –from forwards in set piece, maul, breakdown and on the drive and from backs who can blast up the middle, combine to dazzle out wide or counter attack. When pragmatism is called for, their halfbacks and back three can kick tactically with interest and the match day squad could contain as many as four goalkickers. It hardly matters who they choose –this will be a side of international quality.
Bath will want to remind the watching world that they are credible in this company. Last year they were the only AP club to top their group and then came from 0-15 down against Leinster in the QF to within literally finger tips reach of victory. This after making it hard for themselves by losing their opening two matches – including a complete pasting from Glasgow. Montpellier & Toulouse seemed to bring the best out of Bath’s backs who gave some scintillating displays both home and away. Can it be done again? Maybe – if Attwood & Louw are there to shore up the pack, Devoto continues his upward curve and the back three can find the form that so lit up the Champions Cup matches against French clubs last season. Above all, George Ford needs to pull the strings from 10 –although in this area it is great to see Bath have secured an alternative of real class in Rhys Priestland.
The arrival of David Denton is too late for consideration on Saturday, but welcome news all the same – a ready made and proven international 8 (or 6) to take the place of “you-know-who”. I expect the news to have a positive impact on both squad morale and performance. Performance is what matters. Get that right and as last year in Toulouse showed, victory just may be possible. If not, losing bonus points and points difference could decide this European “Group of Death”. It is probably too much to expect a win – but I do think Bath will rise to the challenge. As said above – compelling viewing: with plenty of hope that Bath will make it close.
Possible Bath Team:
Auterac, Webber , Thomas, Hooper (Capt), Attwood, Garvey, Fa’osiliva, Houston. Cook, Ford. Banahan, Eastmond , Devoto, Rokodoguni. Watson Replacements: Lahiff, Batty, Wilson, Day, Burgess, Matawalu, Priestland, Homer
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