By P G Tips
October 17 2016
There will be a local touch to Bath’s first home European match this Thursday. The competition may be continental, but the rivalry intensely parochial: Bath v Bristol, two clubs divided by 14 miles and a recent gulf in fortunes. The two teams have not met in a tournament first XV fixture for 7 years as Bristol have languished in the Championship during that time ..
Bath, whatever their form, scandals or challenges have maintained their Premiership status during those 7 years and supplied numerous players to 6 nations and World Cup squads. Bristol will claim that theirs is the true pedigree club of the West Country and before the arrival of Jack Rowell they certainly had the edge. Since the mid eighties though, they have had to look on with envy while Bath have racked up 16 domestic trophies and 2 European cups- one at each level. Seldom in that time have Bristol been able to lord it over their old rivals. With the fire of a derby meeting in their belly they will hope to mark their return to the top English flight by putting one over the men from the Rec.
A four try home humbling by Cardiff is not the ideal preparation for such a clash. Indeed the Bristol season to date has been a sore disappointment – to themselves and the many onlookers who wish this proud rugby city well. After running Harlequins close with some thrilling adventure on the opening weekend, their results predict a swift return to the Championship whence they came. Six matches have been lost, 29 tries conceded and many opponents see them as bankers for a bonus point victory. All is not shipshape or Bristol Fashion at Ashton Gate at the moment.
Thursday though is a derby, in which, according to tradition, anything can happen. Further spice is added by the familiarity of playing and coaching staff. Nine of Bristol’s first team squad have Bath on their CV (3 of those being former academy members) as have their DOR, forwards coach and Team Manager. Several have moved to Bristol from Bath only recently. They should be able to identify vulnerabilities or points of doubt and lay plans to exploit them. They will no doubt take heart from Bath’s tense and underwhelming close shave in Pau – sensing a chance to fan the flames of any Bath nerves. In Mark Bakewell they have a forwards coach who is highly regarded in Bath’s corner of the vale of the Avon, so there is little doubt they will front up in the set piece and breakdown. Despite heavy defeats Bristol have found the try scoring habit – but their conversion rate for goal kicks has been found wanting.
So, who are the Bristol danger men? Up front the contrasting style of two south sea island front rowers, Tonga’uiha and Perenise could trouble Bath’s defence around the fringes, Ian Evans should be their go to man at the lineout and there is the exciting prospect of a back row of Koster, Robinson and Crane – all of whom will have a point to prove to Bath management and fans. Behind these Bristol may opt for the steadiness of halfbacks Martin Roberts and former Saxon Adrian Jarvis – or the more mercurial Tusi Pisi. There are two lethal finishers known to Bath on the wings: David Lemi and Premiership top scorer Tom Varndell. Perhaps even Gavin Henson may get a turn, to address the goal-kicking drought?
Bath will doubtless ring a few changes, to rotate, rest and to motivate, as well as in response to injury. Khan Fotoali’i, taken off early for concussion assessment at Pau should sit this one out: he needs a rest anyway. Rhys Priestland can continue his game rehabilitation and will probably be entrusted with both tactical direction and goal kicking. Homer may well be benched and a chance given to Hastings. Up front there may not be many changes, but Tom Ellis – a revelation to date, could make way for Matt Garvey or Charlie Ewels. Complacency though is dangerous: especially on derby day and first choices need to be kept sharp in preparation for a testing trip to Exeter in the next match. Expect a strong bench to allow some key players that chance.
Derbies can deliver delight or desperation. Bristol will be desperate to win and give their season some purpose. Bath though have home advantage, momentum and superior goal kicking. It is hard to see beyond a straightforward home win.
Possible Teams:
Bath: Auterac, Dunn, Knight, Charteris, Stooke, Garvey, Mercer (Capt.), Houston. Cook, Priestland. Williams, Bowden, Joseph, Brew. Hastings
Replacements: Catt, van Vuuren, Thomas. Attwood, Z Mercer. Homer, Ford, Banahan.
Bristol: Tonga'uiha, Crumpton, Perenise, Evans, Glynn, Koster, Robinson, Crane. Roberts, Jarvis. Varndell, Tovey, Palamo, Lemi (Capt). Arscott.
Replacements: Brooker, Cortes, Ford-Robinson, Joyce, Eadie. Fenton-Wells, Pisi, Henson
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