Ford relishing Wasps clash

Editor

Bath coach Mike Ford believes his side could not be more motivated for this week’s Aviva Premiership match at Wasps.

Bath coach Mike Ford believes his side is just as motivated for this week’s Aviva Premiership match at Wasps as they have been for their previous three matches of the season.

Bath have produced some impressive displays in their recent matches against Leicester Tigers, Northampton Saints and Saracens and lie in second place in the standings going into their sixth fixture of the season.

While champions Northampton have already left Adams Park empty handed this season, Ford insists that his charges need no extra motivation for Sunday afternoon’s match there.

“The challenge is can you keep the players on the edge for 80 minutes 24 weeks of the season in the Premiership,” Ford told the Bath Chronicle.

“We play better when we’ve got a bit of fear in us and we’ve got that this week. It’s going to be a very tough encounter because Wasps are a good side if you let them play and if we don’t get it right we’re not going to come away winners.

“They have got danger all around the park but with Christian Wade, Tom Varndell and Elliott Daly there’s some real speed there which we’ve got to be wary of.

“We’ve taken note of what they’ve done thus far this season. They played very well against Saracens in the first game and then they beat the champions at home.”

Even though Bath beat Wasps away twice last season – once in the league and once in the Amlin Cup – Ford expects the home side to pose a threat to his team.

“It’s always a very intense battle at Adams Park,” he said.

“We know they’re very good at home and we know they have some big individuals who’ll be back against us. We know exactly what’s coming.

“But it’s very much about what we do now, that’s what we’ve learned. It worked for us against Saracens and we’re going to keep on that theme and just try to work on how we can get better no matter who we’re playing.”