By Glen Leat
September 9 2004

"Heaven, I'm in heaven!" Well almost as we get ready for our first game at our beloved Recreation Ground. Some of the locals may not like us being there but we'll all be cheering the lads in blue, black and white as they trot out on to the hallowed turf to face Jonny and his mates from Newcastle.

Our ground gets a good slating from all and sundry and yes, it has it's faults, but what a location we have! I usually spend the final 15 minutes before kick-off at my seat absorbing the atmosphere and looking at the beautiful scenery all around. From my spot towards the front of the West Stand I look over the East Stand, the honey-coloured houses up towards the luscious green hills and bathe in the delight of such a picturesque setting. The trees at the back of the East Stand by the old pavilion stand guard over a sports field which has seen the proven greats of rugby and cricket as well as the potential greats of school sports days. 

I can still remember watching the Aussies playing Somerset in the early 70's with my grandfather: I've still got the programme somewhere in the loft. The Chappell brothers, Bob Massie, Kerry O'Keefe and many other top stars. White kit in those days and the famous baggy green cap that's out of fashion now another Somerset old boy, Steve Waugh has retired. It was hot (as always when remembering your childhood), it was great sport and I didn't realise how lucky I was. Blue Remembered Hills, wrote Dennis Potter: ah yes, but my hills were green!

Where do you start with the great (and better) rugby players who've trotted out on our pitch? Depends on your age I suppose. This place is a shrine and we, and many others, shouldn't forget it. "Friends of the Rec"? How dare they claim this right as their own, it's only co-incidence that they live nearby. Top class sport belongs on this green space, not dogs and their mess, and as the days of amateurism have long gone the City of Bath should embrace the professional Bath Rugby and thank God that we still can see the best play the best.

Hey, I know The Rec is not a "proper" stadium, but who wants "proper" when you have all this beauty and history? Not me fella!

I suppose I'd better say something about the game...

The team that starts against the Falcons will not be too different from last week's starters, though Mike Tindall will be back to replace Spencer Davey. David Barnes will start, despite his early substitution at the Gardens and Michael Lipman is carrying a knock but is ready to target Jonny along with his back row colleagues. “We will be able to select Mike and Olly and that leaves us with a selection headache as I thought Chris Malone, Spencer Davey and Robbie Fleck played well." said John Connolly. "We will also be able to play Steve Borthwick for the full game too, which is a bonus.”

As expected the game is a sell-out, with the Club announcing a gate record of 10,400. “It is always great to start our home campaign with a sell out crowd,” said new captain Jonathan Humphreys. “Last season the supporters made the place a fortress with their incredible support and noise and as players we could all feel them pushing us along every minute of the way. When the Rec is at its capacity it really is a special venue to play rugby.”

Head Coach John Connolly added, “We have spoken in team meetings about making the Rec a fortress as it was last season. The close proximity of the crowd to the action creates a very special atmosphere and I really do think that it is an inspiring factor for the players.”

The Falcons starting line-up shows two changes from the side that beat Worcester last weekend with James Grindal replacing Hall Charlton at scrum-half, and Andy Long returning to the Rec for the first time since his transfer. It looks as though we'll also get a chance to another top class ex-international as ormer Wallaby fullback Matt Burke is named on the Newcastle bench.

Neither side played particularly well last week, fortunately for the Falcons they were at Worcester so this should be a close encounter. Despite last weeks loss at Franklin's Gardens, Bath have a great home record of late and will squeeze past Jonny and his pals by a narrow margin.

Possible Bath Line Up

15 Matt Perry 14 Alex Crockett 13 Robbie Fleck 12 Mike Tindall 11 Brendan Daniel 10 Chris Malone 9 Martin Wood 1 David Barnes 2 Jonathan Humphreys 3 Duncan Bell 4 Steve Borthwick 5 Danny Grewcock 6 Andy Beattie 7 Michael Lipman 8 Zak Feaunati

Newcastle: 15 Joe Shaw, 14 Tom May, 13 Jamie Noon, 12 Mark Mayerhofler, 11 Michael Stephenson, 10 Jonny Wilkinson (joint captain), 9 James Grindal, 8 Phil Dowson, 7 Colin Charvis, 6 Mike McCarthy, 5 Stuart Grimes, 4 Luke Gross, 3 Marius Hurter, 2 Andy Long, 1 Ian Peel (joint captain).
Replacements: 16 Micky Ward, 17 Matt Thompson, 18 Craig Hamilton, 19 Semo Sititi, 20 Matthew Burke, 21 Hall Charlton, 22 Dave Walder.

Got your limited edition ERE car sticker? If not click here to find out how to get one.

Click on to the Newcastle Falcons site for their perspective on things.

Click here to read about the encounter between Bath and Newcastle last season..

In preparation for this clash let's have a look at a few recent statistics:

Biggest Win

Last Meetings (Bath scores first)