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Bath Reprise


By Behind the Bench
January 26 2016

Sandwiched between a perfect half-dozen in the European Champions Cup and the Six Nations squad is this rematch of last season's Premiership final, with a number of selection conundrums for both sides due to players being unavailable for international duty

Normally a side with eight wins from nine, and a losing bonus point from the other game, would expect to be well clear at the top of the table, but if Saracens have got better, so have the opposition, with defeat here potentially seeing Exeter taking over at the top of the table ahead of a mammoth clash in Devon a week on Sunday. The substantial changes necessary to the Saracens side are offset by the coherency of performance which has consistently shone through after previous rotations. Crucial to this game will be Saracens' work at the breakdown and the ability to counter attack, areas in which the visitors have struggled lately as their moves have broken down and their pack has not been as consistently strong as last season. 
 
Although not the only slide to slip backwards from last season, Bath have struggled to get results more than Northampton, for example, with the Saints at least grinding out results despite not playing well, to the extent that the Somerset side seem far from assured of the top six spot which would seem to be the very least of their aims. The eight Premiership games have yielded a trio of victories, and a relatively modest 158 points, as they have failed to build on good starts in a number of matches, as they sit a lowly ninth. Europe, meanwhile, represented something of a curate's egg, as the delayed start saw a tight win against Leinster, built on the dominance of the home pack which earnt a penalty try, in front of a record crowd at the Rec, and backed up by a last gasp win at Wasps, but then undone by a loss in the return fixture to the Coventry side, ahead of a narrow loss in Toulon and reverse at Leinster which put them out of contention by the final day. 
 
Much of the early part of the campaign was dominated by discussions over the future of Sam Burgess, although it seems to be stretching a point to suggest that this is a contributory factor to the modest form so far. That said, the other departures may have played more of a role, as veteran scrum half Peter Stringer left for Sale, and back up scrum half Micky Young went to Newcastle. Centre Olly Woodburn made the journey to Exeter, whilst back row Carl Fearns went to Lyon, and long serving prop Paul James switched to Ospreys. The squad was restocked with Fijian Nikola Matawalu from Pro12 winners Glasgow Warriors, and fellow scrum half Jonathan Evans from Newport Gwent Dragons. Also crossing the Severn Bridge was Rhys Priestland, who switched from Scarlets, and has been restored to the Wales squad ahead of the RBS 6 Nations. Scottish international flanker David Denton was brought in from Edinburgh in the immediate aftermath of the Burgess departure. 
 
After a modest pre-season, with three losses from four in the West Country competition, the opening Aviva Premiership match saw a 19-17 home win over Exeter Chiefs, and it seemed to be a continuation of last season as a combination of stern defence, assured kicking from George Ford, and free-flowing play, which yielded a try for Stuart Hooper, produced what was an impressive win in hindsight. They claimed a losing bonus point in a 16-9 reverse at Wasps, but paid for loss of discipline in a 38-28 home loss to Harlequins, in which the home side scored three tries to the visitors' pair but conceded eight penalties to the boot of Nick Evans. They bounced back to their best, though, in a 45-14 win at London Irish, as forward power mixed with incisive attack (featuring 16 line breaks) set up six tries in total, albeit against a side reduced to 14 men for over an hour. However, they went on to lose successive games at Leicester and at home to Northampton Saints, After Europe, a 21-14 home win was ground out against Worcester Warriors, ahead of a 19-14 loss at Newcastle Falcons on 2 January, their last Premiership action to date. 
 
Switching then to potentially line ups, Ben Ransom should be at full back, with Wyles switching to the right wing, as Bosch continues in the centre alongside Brad Barritt, and Mike Ellery comes in to occupy the left wing berth. Charlie Hodgson would seem likely to start at fly half alongside scrum half Richard Wigglesworth. Into the forwards, and Richard Barrington should start at loosehead, with Schalk Brits at hooker and Petrus du Plessis back at tighthead. The lock combinations should feature Jim Hamilton and Maro Itoje, released from England duty, with Michael Rhodes, Will Fraser and Jackson Wray making up the back row. For Bath, who made several changes to their pack for the Toulon game, there seems to be something of a puzzle in the back line, depending on Priestland's availability. Assuming he is available, Tom Homer should start at full back, with Luke Arscott potentially starting if Homer had to replace Priestland at fly half. Released by England, Semesa Rokoduguni should be on the right wing, with Horacio Agulla possibly alongside Kyle Eastmond in the centres and Matt Banahan returning to the left wing. Chris Cook should be at scrum half. Forwards-wise, former Saracen Nick Auterac could be at loosehead, with Ross Batty at hooker and Henry Thomas at tighthead. The second row should combine Stuart Hooper and Dominic Day, with a back row of Matt Garvey, Francois Louw and Leroy Houston. 

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Bath Reprise
Discussion started by TheSaracens.com , 26/01/2016 22:04
TheSaracens.com
26/01/2016 22:04
Thanks always Gerard, where would we be without you!



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2016:02:08:16:04:03 by Darraghgirl.

davidthesarrie
30/01/2016 05:07
Thanks for the preview. Pretty good starting XV prediction too.

Well done!

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