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Venture into the Unknown


Charteris: return?

By P G Tips
October 11 2016

Bath’s trip to Pau for their first European Challenge Cup tie will be a voyage into the unknown.  The two sides have met before, as semi –finalists in Bath’s European glory year- 1998 -but for the past 9 years, Pau have been out of French rugby’s top flight.  Currently 12th in the Top 14 table, their recent form gives little clue to their capability. Capital of the Pyrenees- Atlantique region, the Gascon city is steeped in the rugby tradition of France’s south west corner. Many French greats have graced their teams in the past. Notables include Beauxis, Bernat-Salles, Traille, Cabannes and more recently, the inimitable Harinordoquy   These dashing backs and ball handling loose forwards suggest a heritage of sweeping attack, which is true. However, the club is also known for gnarled front rowers like Sebastian Bruno and the incomparable tighthead, Robert Paparamborde. The spirit of the Béarnaise, epitomised by these two, could prove sauce for a meaty encounter.

Low in the table they may be, but Pau have recruited shrewdly to strengthen their squad. Up front they boast France lock Julien Pierre, recent European player of the year Stefan Armitage and Wallaby back rower Ben Mowen. While Paparemborde may well have been unique (his shoulders were said to morph straight into his hips), Pau have shored up their front row with seasoned kiwis. Behind them, French scrum half Julien Tomas and former All Blacks Colin Slade and Conrad Smith are evidence that Pau intend to climb from their current position. Civic pride and a home stadium count for much in this part of France, so the key question is: will they take this tournament seriously? Will the Top 14 be top priority, or is the Challenge Cup, the “lesser” of the continental competitions, seen as a winnable goal to satisfy their ambitions? As always with French clubs, which one will turn up? Will it be the vulnerable one of a squad still gelling, or the one capable of tearing you apart? Bath no doubt will be planning for the second.

 

Bath themselves, with an extensive injury list, could be excused for treating this cup as second fiddle. That does not seem to be Todd Blackadder’s style, nor to fit the revitalised spirit of a squad in which academy lads and “fringe’ players have played strong roles in placing Bath 3rd in the Premiership table to date. Pau may not be as encrusted with galacticos as Toulon, but they boast real stars: to send a weakened side to a morale crushing hiding could undermine that spirit. Blackadder himself has hinted that he may ring the changes in team selection, so expect some rotation. Returns from injury could play a part too- will this be the match for Luke Charteris to step back in? Is Guy Mercer ready for a start and a full match? What about Dan Bowden?

 

Whatever the selection, Bath will probably keep it simple. So far this season defence has been miserly, the set pieces strong and the kicking game prominent. The last two matches tell an interesting tale –of lesser possession, but greater penetration, bringing more effective attack. Less time with ball in hand has, unusually, brought more defenders beaten, more metres carried, than either opponent. The result: 5 tries to nil in 2 (possible banana-skin) games. Bath may build from lineout and scrum rather than breakdown, frustrate their opponents with their defence, kick for territory, then break out when the time is right.

 

Pau is home to an ardent rugby tradition, also to the French Army parachute school. Let’s hope Bath can bring them to earth with a bump.

 

 Possible Bath Team:

Catt, Batty, Palma –Newport, Charteris, Stooke, Garvey, Mercer, Houston. Cook, Ford.  Williams, Banahan, Joseph, Brew. Homer

Replacements: Auterac, Dunn, Thomas, Attwood, Z Mercer. Fotuali’i, Hastings, Rokodoguni.

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Venture into the Unknown
Discussion started by Comeonmylovers.co.uk (IP Logged), 11/10/2016 18:31
Comeonmylovers.co.uk
Comeonmylovers.co.uk
11/10/2016 18:31
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2016:10:19:10:25:41 by Stuart Anderton.

quanco
quanco
11/10/2016 21:30
Great read PG, looking forward to the boys parachuting in!

I think Charteris' previous experience in the Top 14 is a good argument for his inclusion in the starting XV.

I would also like to see some of the other returnees, i.e. Priestland, Bowden & G'Mercer get some game time but feel that ought to be mixed up a bit,

I would favour the last 20mins for Priestland with the view to giving George the week off next week. Guy a starting birth with the first 60 and Bowden also starting (Banahan has certainly earned his rest)!

Josh Bayliss [Bath Rugby] - Adopted Player 2018/19

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