The last time Bath put out an understrength side, it was through the coaches’ free choice. Tomorrow night in Greater Manchester, it will be an enforced decision due to injury.
Bath’s decision two weeks ago to rotate their squad for the away trip to Saracens ended in first-half humiliation. Within 20 minutes of the first whistle, as the Vunipola brothers gleefully smashed into the Bath defence, the decision to leave the backsides of two of Bath’s most bruising and effective tacklers – Dave Attwood and Matt Garvey – warming the bench was made to look questionable at best, crackers at worst.
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Bath had a chance to show Saracens – and the wider Premiership – that they could go toe-to-toe away from home with the league’s big beasts. Instead, their selection made them look tentative and vulnerable.
But that was a fortnight ago. Tomorrow provides another chance for Bath to send out a signal to the league.
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Sale’s ground in Salford might not enjoy the fortress status of Saracens’ home at Allianz Park, but a win there would be a significant milestone for this relatively youthful Bath side.
Bath’s away form was woeful last season and cost them a place in the top six, if not the top four. This season’s opening night win in Newcastle was encouraging, but needs to be backed up by another win on the road, pronto, not least because of the half-baked showing in the opening half at Saracens.
Last season, Bath won on the opening day of the season at Worcester and then didn’t manage another away win for the remainder of the campaign. If the ghost of that flaky away form is to be exorcised, then it starts with a win at Sale tomorrow.
Lose up north, and Bath will once again start to be regarded as a team that doesn’t travel well – a reputation that only serves to embolden home teams.
The real test for Bath will be that they will have to pull off this away win without some of their big hitters. Attwood is sidelined by a rib problem, while Bath’s oak-like presence in the back-line, Matt Banahan, has ankle trouble. Rob Webber is also doubtful. That leaves Bath without some of their most formidable physical specimens – and leaders.
Step forward George Ford, a player who had The Rec press box cooing with admiration on Saturday as he orchestrated London Irish’s dismemberment.
If Ford’s game management continues to excel, and if the pack continues to rumble, then Bath’s away hoodoo should be overcome.
Chalk up a win and Bath can head into Europe full of confidence with four wins from five domestically. But lose, and niggling doubts about their vulnerability on the road could start to fester. Much rides on this Friday night trip to South Manchester.
Article source: http://sportsnewsireland.com/rugby/rugby_irish/irish-rugby-squad-for-november-internationals-2013-09-17/
TOM BRADSHAW: Plenty riding on Bath Rugby"s Friday night trip to Sale Sharks
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