Match Preview - The Italian Job


By Ed Scott
October 14 2010

Three weeks ago I would have told you that playing Aironi (even away) was 5 points in the bag for our Heineken Cup campaign. However, the last two performances have made us all doubt the credentials of our beloved Bath Rugby. Securing this win was always important, but is now imperative for our European campaign.

After the Biarritz game there were a couple of posts stating that Smee's job is now on the line and that Bruce will not stand for these performances much longer (therefore heads will roll). I don't believe that either are true. The panic button is close to the self-destruct one and a hefty hand may hit both (yes I know I said that in a post this week, but I liked it!).
 
Bruce is not going to perform a knee jerk reaction and start throwing his weight around less than two months into a nine month season, it's simply not what is best for the team. Yes the end of the Biarritz game was unacceptable, but the first half was a vast improvement and their error count was 90% down to our aggressive defence. I myself panicked when I heard Butch was not back until January, but on reflection (helped by some replies to my post at the time!) I feel more positive. I am now aiming to be calm, and plan to judge the season in May - I invite you all to join me!
 
On the surface, Aironi don't really pose a threat to Bath. They have joined the Magners League this season, lost all five of their games, and in the process, only scored two tries. Couple that with the loss to Ulster in the HC last week and you've got a team there for the taking. A bit more delving tells a slightly different story. They have international nous in their pack from the likes of Marco Bortolami and Fabio Ongaro. Behind them is the experienced boot of Ludovic Mercier and the ballast of ex-Saracen Rodd Penney. Their recent Magners loss to Edinburgh was by a single point, and their Ulster Magners loss was only 22-15 - both played at home. Match reports from their other defeats indicate that even the likes of Munster have struggled to easily put points on the board against them.
 
The largest talking point this week is likely to be team selection. Catt clearly deserves his starting place, but to be fair to Flats, I thought he was very good when he came on. Lots of flack has been heading Beattie's way, but I thought his first half against Biarritz was the best he's played all season. Ross Batty seemingly should have started last week, but he didn't; consequently the lineout functioned much better and Dixon was more prominent in the loose. Is this going to be Hape's EPS rest week? If so, will Banners play 13 and Biggs get a run, or is Williams going to get the chance to make his claim for the 13 shirt? Should Skirving be on the bench at the expense of Ovens or Mercer now Lobbe is there covering 2nd row? So many questions!!
 
I don't think players will be punished by being dropped this week, I'm also not sure that's the solution. I believe that Smee will pick an almost identical team and wait until the LV Cup to give chances to some of the younger guys. Only time will tell whether this is the right decision or not.
 
We need to be careful on Saturday. I expect Aironi to try and steamroll us in the set piece and force kickable penalties; much in the way their national team often plays. Italy have pulled off some shock defeats over the years in that way, including almost beating England a few times recently. I still believe in the brand of rugby we're trying to play, we just need to be tighter up front and pragmatic in our approach. I don't think this game is a season defining moment, but a good win would certainly point all our heads skywards. I'm sure the views in Italy will be worth raising our heads for.

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