Bath look to extend winning run
Fri, 02 May 2008 14:42
Bath Rugby 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.
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 No.8 Daniel Browne takes the place of Chris Goodman.
Talking 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.
"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!"
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 (captain), 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.
Date: Saturday, May 3
Venue: The Rec
Kick-off: 18.00 (17.00 GMT)
Referee: Rob Debney
Touch judges: Paul Dix, Andrew Pearce
Television match official: Laurie Bryant, Geoff Warren
