By Glen Leat
April 12 2003

Bath players and fans have to recover the composure they all lost after that dramatic finish against London Irish on Thursday evening to prepare for the Parker Pen semi-final against Saracens at Watford. This is the a pair of games Bath could do without as they fight for their Premiership lives. After tough games against Wasps and London Irish the Bath coaching staff are asking their players for one last effort before a well earned break in games. Co-coach Brian Smith said, "We will be calling on the troops to give one last big performance before the fortnight's break leading up to the second leg at the Rec. Thursday's game against London Irish was a physical one and due to injuries many players will have played three games in seven days which requires a colossal effort. Therefore, in some positions we will be looking to relieve players and give those who have been benching an opportunity. We have enormous respect for Saracens and will be taking this game extremely seriously. In anyone's estimation to play in a semi-final is an enormous challenge physically and more importantly mentally.”

Mike Catt's recurring hamstring injury does not look as bad as first feared and the two week break will be very helpful. “At this stage it is looking as though Catty will be out for two to three weeks,” explained Smith. “However, we are hopeful that he will be fit in time to play against next month.”

Bath will probably sneak this game by a small margin and win at the Rec to go on to the final.

Bath Squad

Backs: Olly Barkley, Ross Blake, Gareth Cooper, Simon Danielli, Kevin Maggs, Chris Malone, Matt Perry, Elvis Seveali’i, Mike Tindall, Tom Voyce.

Forwards: David Barnes, Andy Beattie, Steve Borthwick, Gareth Delve, Alessio Galasso, Danny Grewcock, Jonathan Humphreys, Andy Lloyd, Andy Long, James Scaysbrook, Matt Stevens, Gavin Thomas.