Lipman focused on one game only
When Bath take on Worcester in the European Challenge Cup Final on Sunday they will do so knowing they are just one win away from achieving all three of their season's goals.
When Bath take on Worcester in the European Challenge Cup Final on Sunday they will do so knowing they are just one win away from achieving all three of their season's goals.
Before a single tackle had been made, a back-line move mastered or a scrum formed, Bath set out three distinct goals. The first was a top four finish in the Guinness Premiership, the second was a place in next season's Heineken Cup and the third was to win a trophy.
The first two goals were achieved in one fell swoop, third place in the final league table wrapped up their Heineken qualification. However, defeat against Wasps in the Guinness Premiership semi-finals ensured their last hope of silverware is in the Challenge Cup.
And as Michael Lipman explained in an exclusive interview with Planet Rugby, Bath are not about to let their focus slip at this stage of the season.
Billed as favourites to account for a Worcester side who epitomise the word 'inconsistent', Lipman is playing down the pressure on Bath – after all this is their third Challenge Cup Final and they are still without a victory.
“We all know what has gone before us, but the main thing is to focus on this one game of rugby and nothing else,” he said.
“We can't afford to put extra pressure on ourselves with all this 'third time lucky' talk. We know we are capable of winning and that is what it comes down to, our self-belief and confidence.
“Our game has been spot on for most of the season and we need to ensure everything is firing on Sunday, if not we will be left wondering what if.”
Indeed, Bath have been in fine form this season, both in attack and defence. Unbeaten in the Challenge Cup thus far and with only eight tries against them things could not have gone better.
Their impressive form, in all competitions, is a stark contrast to the season before, and Lipman accredits a change in fortunes to a new sense of confidence instilled in the squad.
“The confidence has just being going up and up all season,” he said.
“As a side we are playing an attractive brand of rugby, both to play and watch and that in itself breeds confidence. The offloading game has been superb this season.
“Just look at the likes of Matt Stevens and Steve Borthwick, who on top of their basics are marauding around the field with ball in hand and putting others into space.
“It's a pleasure to play in a side who are all working for each other and all singing off the same hymn sheet.”
Whilst Steve Meehan has been running the show this season Lipman is quick to remind us that it was a certain Brian Ashton who got the ball rolling back in 2006.
“What a lot of people forget is that Brian Ashton had a huge impact here, and a lot of what he was introducing is now being seen,” Lipman stressed.
“Regardless of the whole England saga Brian did a good job here and we are finally seeing it come to fruition.
“Added to that the signings we made at the start of the season have made a massive difference and brought a fresh spirit to the squad.
“To have someone like Butch James come in on the back of winning the World Cup was huge – he alone gave us all a shot of confidence.
“Then add Michael Claassens into the mix and all of a sudden we are starting to look like a side who are going places.”
So what of Sunday's opponents? A side Bath have beaten twice in the Guinness Premiership already this season, contributing to their lowly tenth place finish.
Despite their inconsistencies in the league Worcester, like Bath, are unbeaten in Europe this season. Added to that under Mike Ruddock they have gradually been assembling a formidable squad, a point not lost on Lipman.
“A lot of people take the view that just because they have struggled in the Premiership this season that they are a bad side,” Lipman explained.
“All you have to do is look at their recent form to realise that is not the case, it will be a massive test of our ability as a team on Sunday.
“Take a look at the calibre of players they are attracting and you can see what they are all about. The likes of Rico Gear, Sam Tuitupou and Shane Drahm are world class players, and that is even before Chris Latham has arrived.
“They alone give you an idea of the sort of challenge we are facing up to, we are going to need to be on top of our game to contain them.
“In Mike Ruddock they have a very astute coach, someone who is well respected and capable of getting the maximum from his players.”
One area Lipman feels Bath will have the edge on Sunday is in the forwards, where he hopes to take his place at openside. A decision on his fitness will be made on Saturday but at this stage he is confident of making Bath's biggest game of the season.
“I'm pretty confident of being fit but at this stage, I have seventeen stitches in my lip and there is still some swelling,” he revealed.
“I had to come off against Wasps just because I was struggling to breathe, but all things being equal I should be fit to play come Sunday.
“Whatever the case, with or without me, I would like to think we have a better forward pack than them, especially when you look at the internationals we have among our ranks.
“That said it will be a huge challenge on Sunday as they are a great side and have proved that over the last few months.”
Not only would a victory ensure Bath achieve their goals but it will also provide a fine send-off for those players leaving the club at the end of the season.
Both Olly Barkley and Steve Borthwick are moving on after Sunday's game and Lipman could not hide his disappointment on the matter.
“It's very disappointing,” Lipman said.
“We have become such a tight-knit group here and to see your mates move on is never easy. But for me it is disappointing because I feel this current squad could have gone on to achieve some great things.
“Sadly that is not the case now and we have to respect the decisions of guys like Olly [Barkley] and Steve [Borthwick].
“We will never be able to replace Olly, he is a unique player.
“He decided he needed a new challenge and we as a team respect that and are ready to move on without him.
“There are exciting times ahead now with our place in next season's Heineken Cup guaranteed. And what better way to go into next season than as European Challenge Cup holders?”
By Marcus Leach