Strong start every bit as important as steady finish against Saracens
How many years have we been bemoaning Bath Rugby’s inability to comfortably close out games? Too many. The players know it, the coaches know it, but still that problem remains. When Bath have a lead in the final ten minutes or so, their confidence seems to ebb away, they make silly mistakes and panicky decisions. Maybe if there wasn’t a clock counting up to 80, it wouldn’t be a problem. The squad are in the early days of working with new mental skills coach Katie Warriner and I wouldn’t necessarily expect to see an instant impact, but it will be interesting to see if they do become more collectively composed as the season goes on. There will be games against top teams, domestically and abroad, against whom they won’t get away with the manner they finished against Harlequins – when they conceded two late tries – and Saints, when they almost ended up drawing. The big positive is that they have held on to win those games, just, after conceding late to draw against Gloucester at the Rec in round two. Against Saracens at Allianz Park this Saturday it probably won’t be about how they finish the game, it will be how they start it.
The Premiership champions have been bulldozing everything in their way thus far...
The Premiership champions have been bulldozing everything in their way thus far this season; picking up four bonus point wins in a row. Last time out they dominated Gloucester, who had shown signs of being play-off contenders but now know what it takes to be champions. Bath have never won on the artificial pitch at Allianz Park – they haven’t beaten Sarries away since 2010 when they played at Vicarage Road. The aggregate score for the two matches at Allianz Park since Todd Blackadder has been in charge is 94-16. Given the momentum Sarries are firing with at the moment, Bath can’t afford to lose touch early on. Bristol Bears have shown the way. They made selection changes – as Bath might do given they have Exeter Chiefs at the Rec six days later – led in the first half and were well in contention until George Smith got sent off. Mistakes will need to be at a minimum against the ruthless men in black. The hosts will be a little short at tighthead, however, as Juan Figallo is injured and firstchoice Vincent Koch is away with South Africa. If Bath can scrummage like they did against Saints they could get an edge there, but to be on top after 80 minutes they will need to get an edge in a number of different areas and the mental side of their game will need to be tip top.