The last time that the Northampton Saints headed to the Recreation Ground, in February this year, it was a top of the table clash between second and first. Now, ten months on, ninth are hosting eighth and both sides are still searching for their true domestic form.
Last Aviva Premiership season Bath ignited our rugby senses week in, week out, as they produced beautiful attacking rugby. Mike Ford’s side were one of the most precise and clinical of the bunch however their disjointed pre-season, with so many players away at the Rugby World Cup, has caused them to stutter in the opening five domestic rounds.
After 22 regular rounds the Northampton Saints finished at the top of the 2014-15 tree, only to be undone by a ruthless Saracens side in the playoff. Over the summer Jim Mallinder recruited well, particularly up front, and in the early rounds this has paid dividends however behind their scrummage they also haven’t clicked.
Bath introduce Jonathan Joseph back into their 13 jersey as the England international has recovered quicker than expected from a chest injury sustained during the Rugby World Cup. His presence will boost Bath’s confidence no end, Joseph’s distribution and talent to make something happen from nothing may just be the spark that they need. Chris Cook is handed the starting 9 jersey in order to provide George Ford with cleaner service and Dave Attwood returns from injury adding experience in their second row.
The Northampton Saints are travelling without a number of key individuals; Coutney Lawes, Calum Clark, Alex Corbisiero and Dylan Hartley are all ruled out due to injury, or in Hartley’s case the return to play concussion protocols. Ben Foden captains the side from full back and will be one of a number of individuals looking to impress Eddie Jones who landed in England this morning. Luther Burrell partners George Pisi in their centres and big George North will be looking to impose himself in the right way out wide.
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The set piece battle will be monumental for recently both packs have taken others apart and are on scintillating form. Neal Hatley’s work at Farleigh House has been tireless and under his tutelage Nick Auterac, Rob Webber and Henry Thomas have become a formidable trio. Equally Dorian West is moulding Ethan Waller, Mikey Haywood and Kieran Brookes into a match winning combination as their outing against Gloucester Rugby highlighted. In this crucial game adapting to young referee Craig Maxwell-Keys, who is in charge of only his eighth Premiership game, will be critical for neither team can afford to get on his wrong side. In short the set piece tussle will be intense and enthralling to watch.
The start will be critical for both sides, if Bath put their foot on the gas early then home advantage will come into its own. Bath made basic errors at Welford Road that cost them ever pushing ahead on the scoreboard and if they do the same today Northampton will punish them. Jim Mallinder’s men have won the last eight Premiership encounters between the two however without some key figures could struggle to deliver for the full eighty.
On a dry, but slightly blustery day in Bath they’ll be little love lost between these two sides for both know that they must ignite their season with a Round 6 victory... or else!
Bath Rugby: 15 Anthony Watson 14 Semesa Rokoduguni 13 Jonathan Joseph 12 Ollie Devoto 11 Matt Banahan 10 George Ford 9 Chris Cook 1 Nick Auterac 2 Rob Webber 3 Henry Thomas 4 Dave Attwood 5 Tom Ellis 6 Matt Garvey 7 Francois Louw (c) 8 Leroy Houston Replacements: 16 Ross Batty 17 Max Lahiff 18 Dave Wilson 19 David Denton 20 Guy Mercer 21 Niko Matawalu 22 Rhys Priestland 23 Tom Homer
Northampton Saints: 15 Ben Foden (C) 14 Jamie Elliott 13 George Pisi 12 Luther Burrell 11 George North 10 JJ Hanrahan 9 Kahn Fotuali’i 1 Ethan Waller 2 Mikey Haywood 3 Kieran Brookes 4 Michael Paterson 5 Christian Day 6 Jamie Gibson 7 Teimana Harrison 8 Sam Dickinson Replacements:16 Reece Marshall 17 Alex Waller18 Paul Hill 19 Victor Matfield 20 James Craig 21 Lee Dickson 22 Stephen Myler 23 Ken Pisi
Northampton Saints: 15 Ben Foden (C) 14 Jamie Elliott 13 George Pisi 12 Luther Burrell 11 George North 10 JJ Hanrahan 9 Kahn Fotuali’i 1 Ethan Waller 2 Mikey Haywood 3 Kieran Brookes 4 Michael Paterson 5 Christian Day 6 Jamie Gibson 7 Teimana Harrison 8 Sam Dickinson Replacements:16 Reece Marshall 17 Alex Waller18 Paul Hill 19 Victor Matfield 20 James Craig 21 Lee Dickson 22 Stephen Myler 23 Ken Pisi
