Preview: Bath v Saracens
Having secured a European Challenge Cup Final last weekend, Bath will be looking to continue their winning streak in the Guinness Premiership when they face Saracens at the Rec on Saturday.
Having secured a European Challenge Cup Final last weekend, Bath will be looking to continue their winning streak in the Guinness Premiership when they face Saracens at the Rec on Saturday.
Making just two changes from last weekend's squad, Joe Maddock returns to the fold on the wing, as Andrew Higgins slips onto the bench and number eight Daniel Browne takes the place of Chris Goodman.
Talking earlier this week about the impending challenge, Steve Meehan was confident that Bath have what it takes to take on the competition.
“You have to have a plan in place to try and expose any potential weaknesses or areas that you believe you can make a good positive push through,” he said.
“We feel that we know the Saracens side reasonably well and we know our game very well, so if we can pull together at the weekend, we may come up with a performance like we saw last weekend against Sale.”
Zak Feaunati, who announced his retirement in the middle of this week, will be on the bench, but as an important member of the squad, he is bound to make an impact if brought on to the park.
“Zak is someone who has had a real influence on the squad,” said Meehan.
“He is well thought of and well remembered by the supporters. He is one of our squad representatives and is one that the players have a high regard for and his opinion has really mattered.”
Reflecting upon the dangers from the Saracens, Meehan believes that Bath must not lose focus and remain on top of the game.
“Saracens have not had the greatest run of late, but that doesn't mean that they do not pose a threat. If anything, they could come out and surprise everybody, simply by their approach and by their enthusiasm.
“I expect some of their younger players to be involved and some of their players who weren't involved last week, who we know very well. So they will come out with fresh legs and I am sure they will want to impress. If they take that approach, and things click, they will be very dangerous – so it's a concern for us, we have to be on our game!”
Meanwhile, Kevin Sorrell will captain Saracens in their return to Guinness Premiership action.
The Saracens centre, who is approaching 300 appearances for the club (277), has called on his players to finish the domestic season on a high with their final away trip of the year.
Sorrell said: “We are determined to end the season strongly and with two wins. Our league form has taken a dip in the past few months but it has still been a successful season in terms of our progress to make two semi-finals. The important thing is that we don't throw that away and finish the season on a strong note.
“It's always an honour to captain Saracens and I'll be stressing to the boys the importance of showing pride in the black jersey and in their own performance. I'll also be encouraging them to make sure they enjoy themselves, as we've played some of our best rugby this season when we've done that.”
Neil de Kock, Ben Skirving, Hugh Vyvyan and Nick Lloyd all picked up minor injures in last weekend's Heineken Cup semi-final and will miss out on the trip to the West Country with Moses Rauluni, Tom Ryder, Iain Fullarton and Kevin Yates all coming into the starting line-up.
Watford-born flank Don Barrell also replaces Richard Hill in the back row, while Cencus Johnston is preferred over Cobus Visagie at tighthead prop, with Fabio Ongaro given the nod to start at hooker. Apart from the inclusion of Rauluni, the backline remains unchanged.
Saracens boss Alan Gaffney says Bath at the Rec is always a challenge, with Saracens drawing their last two Premiership matches at the Rec.
“Bath are playing some good rugby, are looking for a home semi final, and in form as their Challenge Cup semi-final win over Sale suggests,” he said.
“We know we can perform there as we've done over the last couple of years, and with some fresh legs to cover for the injured players we'll look for the away win, before finishing the season with a strong performance at home.”
Form: Bath reached the final of the European Challenge Cup with their 36-14 semi-final victory over Sale on Saturday. Bath have won their last four matches in all competitions. Saracens have lost their last three matches in all competitions. Sarries have also lost five in a row away from home in the Guinness Premiership – their poorest away run since 2003/04. Bath's only win in their last four encounters with Saracens was 31-30 in last season's European Challenge Cup semi-final. Saracens have won just once in their last six visits to the Rec.
Bath: 15 Nick Abendanon, 14 Joe Maddock, 13 Alex Crockett, 12 Olly Barkley, 11 Matt Banahan, 10 Butch James, 9 Michael Claassens, 8 Daniel Browne, 7 Michael Lipman, 6 Jonny Faamatuainu, 5 Danny Grewcock, 4 Steve Borthwick (c) , 3 Matt Stevens, 2 Lee Mears, 1 David Barnes.
Replacements: 16 Pieter Dixon, 17 Duncan Bell, 18 Peter Short, 19 Zak Feaunati, 20 Nick Walshe, 21 Shaun Berne, 22 Andrew Higgins.
Saracens: 15 Richard Haughton, 14 Francisco Leonelli, 13 Kevin Sorrell (c), 12 Adam Powell, 11 Kameli Ratuvou, 10 Glen Jackson, 9 Moses Rauluni, 8 Paul Gustard, 7 Don Barrell, 6 Kris Chesney, 5 Iain Fullarton, 4 Tom Ryder, 3 Cencus Johnston, 2 Fabio Ongaro, 1 Kevin Yates.
Replacements: 16 Matt Cairns, 17 Tom Mercey, 18 Andy Saull, 19 David Seymour, 20 Alan Dickens, 21 Gordon Ross, 22 Dan Scarbrough.
Date: Saturday, 3 May
Kick-off: 18:00 (17:00 GMT)
Venue: The Rec
Referee: Rob Debney
Touch judges: Paul Dix, Andrew Pearce
Television match official: Laurie Bryant, Geoff Warren