Draw gives Bath leverage
Fri, 28 Nov 2008 21:37
Although Bath are still leading the Premiership table, the team will be looking to use the disappointment of last weekend's (28-28) draw against the Saints to spur them on for a win against Harlequins this Sunday.
Having made the most of an eight-day turnaround between matches, the team will be feeling fresher and with renewed ambition for facing the Twickenham side. Speaking yesterday, Forwards Coach Mark Bakewell explained the challenges Bath will be facing this weekend: "Harlequins always put a lot of pressure on our game," admitted Bakewell.
"They are probably a bigger collective threat than Northampton and they get a lot of quick ball and are solid in defence.
"Harlequins are one of the better attacking teams for sure."
Whilst talking about attacking play, Bakewell referred to two of his own players Jonny Faamatuainu and Daniel Browne, who have both crossed the line twice this season: "I think Jonny and Daniel read the game well and tend to be in the right position at the right time. Daniel's try last weekend was off the back of a very good scrum and he read the defence perfectly and found the space very quickly. These guys take their opportunities when they can."
Nick Abendanon returns to the Bath side after enduring an injury that kept him out of the fray since Newport Gwent Dragons. Tom Cheeseman pulls on the outside centre shirt in place of injured Alex Crockett and Michael Claassens takes on the captaincy.
Bath: 15 Nick Abendanon, 14 Jack Cuthbert, 13 Tom Cheeseman, 12 Shontayne Hape, 11 Matt Banahan, 10 Butch James, 9 Michael Claassens (captain), 8 Daniel Browne, 7 Jonny Faamatuainu, 6 Stuart Hooper, 5 Peter Short, 4 Justin Harrison, 3 Duncan Bell, 2 Pieter Dixon, 1 David Flatman.
Replacements: 16 Rob Hawkins, 17 Paulica Ion, 18 Andy Beattie, 19 James Scaysbrook, 20 Scott Bemand, 21 Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, 22 Michael Stephenson.
Date: Sunday, November 30
Venue: The Stoop
Time: 15:00 (15:00 GMT)
Referee: Martin Fox
Touch judges: Bruce Robertson, Kevin Stewart
TMO: John Burtenshaw
With thanks to guinnesspremiership.com
