By David Lowrence
February 19 2015

This Saturday sees the visit  of Northampton Saints to Bath for what I always regard as one of the best fixtures in the calendar. In spite of what you may have read last week this match is indeed the top of the table clash, and could see a change in the leadership of the Premiership. With Bath riding high in the table, and Saints having stuttered somewhat in the past few weeks this has the makings of a classic game, although  having said that I will almost certainly be proven wrong.

Aviva Premiership round 15

Bath Rugby v Northampton Saints

Saturday, 21 February KO 15:15

Recreation Ground Bath

A quick look at the top of the table shows how vital this game is for both sides.

A bonus-point win for Bath would see them draw level with Saints, but because of the five points difference, they would draw ahead of Saints into the top spot. So where will this match be decided? Being the rest week of the six nations tournament, a number of players from both sides will not be available. Much will depend on who is released back to their club and who will have to remain in camp for the next game. Currently the Bath team will be without:

Bath Players retained for training

Dave Attwood

George Ford

Jonathan Joseph

Anthony Watson

Players released

Kyle Eastmond

And for Saints

Saints Players retained for training

Luther Burrell 

Dylan Hartley

Players released

Calum Clark 

Alex Corbisiero 

Courtney Lawes 

Stephen Myler 

Tom Wood 

On the face of it therefore Saints have the advantage, but of those released, only Stephen Myler and Calum Clark are certain to be in full  condition to start.

In addition, George North will not be released by Wales, and the injury list includes :

Ben Foden

Courtney Lawes

Tom Wood

It was also very remiss of Salesi Ma'afu to pick up a 2 week ban yesterday, for the most innocuous of strikes on Guest last week. So while Saints would appear to have an edge in the starting 15 on paper , on the muddy Rec this could be very different indeed, stretching our strength in depth credentials to the limit.

Bath have been very strong of late, but without their tyros were put away by Saracens at the Allianz last week. They will be looking to get back on track at home, and facing a weakened and stuttering Saints travelling contingent, could well provide an upset. I suspect they will put out an unchanged side, offering us a chance to decide for ourselves on the development of Sam Burgess

Starting 15

15 Tom Homer

14 Semesa Rokoduguni

13 Sam Burgess

12 Kyle Eastmond

11 Olly Woodburn

10  Ollie Devoto

9 Chris Cook

1 Nick Auterac

2 Ross Batty

3 Henry Thomas

4 Stuart Hooper

5 Dominic Day

6 Matt Garvey

7 Francois Louw

8 Leroy Houston

Bench

16  Rob Webber

17  Max Lahiff

18  Kane Palma-Newport

19  Alafoti Fa'osiliva

20  Carl Fearns

21  Micky Young

22  Richard Lane

23  Luke Arscott

On COYS there has been much debate as to what the side will be, and I am inclined to think that our best will be:

Starting  15

15 Ahsee Tuala

14 Ken Pisi 

13 George Pisi 

12 Tom Stephenson 

11 Jamie Elliott 

10 Stephen Myler 

9 Lee Dickson

1 Alex Corbisiero

2 Mike Haywood

3 Gareth Denman 

4 James Craig 

5 Christian Day 

6 Phil Dowson 

7 Calum Clark 

8 Samu Manoa 

Bench

17 Matti Williams 

18 Alex Waller 

18 Tom Mercey 

20 Sam Dickinson 

21 Teimana Harrison 

22 Kahn Fotuali'i 

23 James Wilson 

24 Sam Olver 

I think both sides will play an expansiive running game, but it will be very close  -  Bath should edge it with home advantage, but I think the two teams above will produce  a 3 point win for Saints  --- with the potential perhaps of a draw. I think whatever the result Saints will still be top on Sunday

Dorian West Says:

Ken Pisi Looks Ahead

News: Preview Bath away on a cold February day. Great Stuff!

Discussion started by ComeOnYouSaints.com , 19/02/2015 15:45

ComeOnYouSaints.com
19/02/2015 15:45

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Saintly Russ
19/02/2015 17:01

Great stuff indeed! Agree about James Craig in the engine room as well

COME ON YOU SAINTS!

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Connorman
19/02/2015 17:21

"Stephen Myla and Calum Clarke"

New signings, David?

(Only joking - nice reviewing, sir).

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St Marlowe
19/02/2015 17:44

spolling chicker overriding - sorry

David L

What if there were no hypothetical questions?

- Live wrong and preposterously

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Connorman
19/02/2015 19:03

You are fourgivan.

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Saint Dom in Hanoi
19/02/2015 21:50

Dave, you contrive very well to prepare us for this tight encounter - too close to call, but you've bravely gone for a Saints edge.

I'm more gloomily inclined: too many disruptions to the squad, too many poor performances recently, and we're confronting a team who've shown greater consistency and were a tad unlucky to lose last weekend.

We may not be weakened by the absence of Salesi, but is Calum fully fit? Is Denman? Is Corbs? And is Ace in tune with his back three partners yet, let alone the rest of his teammates?

Fingers crossed that you're right but - away at the Wreck, on a sticky old pitch, I fear the worst. And who is the whistler...?!

Just seen it is Greg Garner, which is a good sign. He won't favour either team and he won't indulge in strutting histrionics, on past record.


*I could agree with you - but then we'd both be wrong...*



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:02:19:22:21:04 by Saint Dom.

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HRsaints fan
20/02/2015 08:46

Excellent read David and I do hope your prediction of the result is accurate!

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St Dormouse
20/02/2015 09:02

I'm afraid I agree with Dom, I don't think Ace is up to premiership fitness yet and just because Wilson had a rare poor game I don't think he should be dropped. Bath are playing well but surely we can't be as bad as last week. Looking forward to midday for the team sheet.

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St Marlowe
20/02/2015 09:20

I will doubtless be called an "eternal optimist" by Flattie, but I do think that Bath will be weakened greatly by their losses. They bottled the second half away last week, and we are a good second half team. I think it will be a very tasty match.

David L

What if there were no hypothetical questions?

- Live wrong and preposterously

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King Curtis
20/02/2015 09:44

What's a three point win?

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Toast and Marmite
20/02/2015 10:17

Good preview - oddly each set of supporters, most of whom are given generally to cautious optimism given how both respective sides have gone, are trying to out-do each other on pessimism on this one.

I think it's too tight to call and will come down to slim margins. I hope that whatever the result we are talking about the players and not the ref.

Good luck for the rest of the (regular) season. (Not including this Saturday of course.)

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Wee Jim
20/02/2015 11:29

Good preview! Im in the pessimistic camp Im afraid. Playing Bath away at this point in the season isnt going to the easy and last weeks home game didnt inspire confidence.
Im curious why a bonus point win would send Bath top even though we are on equal points? Currently our points difference is +6 to the good. They would have to beat us by 7 points or more to go ahead on PD? Indeed if they didnt PD is immaterial as a LBP would keep us one point ahead. Maybe Ive been watching too many LV cup games.......

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St Marlowe
20/02/2015 12:10

Quote:

King Curtis
What's a three-point win?

It's a win by 3 points
Perhaps Bath haven't had one lately.

David L

What if there were no hypothetical questions?

- Live wrong and preposterously

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Paul Flatt
20/02/2015 12:23

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Phil.
20/02/2015 19:42

Nice one, David!

Heart says a sneaky win for us, head says Bath by one score or more...

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steve393
20/02/2015 20:38

I'm hopeful for a Saints win by around 5 pts.

As always the match will be won and lost in the tight fives. I feel Wilson & Attwood are BIG losses for Bath while for Saints losing Dylan, Maafu and Lawes can be covered by some very handy replacements. I very much hope we'll win the setpiece battle.

I also feel Saints have the edge in the halfbacks with Ford missing.

Backrows I think will cancel each other out.

We're missing our two big power runners in the backs in North & Burrell, but they lose their gas in Joseph & Watson. They have their power runners and they have Eastmond, but I back our defence to keep them in check. Even if they break tackles I back our guys to get enough body weight onto them to slow them enough for the cover to arrive. Pace though is really hard to defend against.

I'm cautiously optimistic. It'll be tight, but games like this are where champions are made.

We can do it.

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