Premiership Preview - Bath v Saracens

Professionalism has brought rugby many benefits.  Increased television coverage, larger crowds at games and the fact that your average prop no longer looks as if they have swallowed an over-inflated space hopper – with players becoming fitter, stronger and faster – are just a few examples.  It's all because of one thing – money.  There's a lot of it in the game at the moment – although apparently not enough in some areas (just ask the Welsh regions) – but it's not all spread equally.  Traditional East Midland powerhouses Leicester and Northampton have long been thought of as the money men of English rugby, arguably along with Gloucester and possibly Harlequins, but their comparative wealth has been built off the back of shrewd management and a strong traditional fanbase – something  a lot of clubs don't have. 

But now there are new players in town – Saracens' rise to power with the help of Nigel Wray and a serious South African cash-injection has been well documented, as have their innovative marketing strategies designed to create a brand that will have an impact on the world stage.  But even newer than the Londoners are their hosts on Friday night, Bath.  The West Country outfit have always been a big club with a proud tradition but, although they have always been financially secure, they have struggled to have real money-wielding clout since the introduction of professionalism.  Not so any more.  Bruce Craig has been generous in delving into his brick-sized wallet during his relentless pursuit to bring Bath back to the glory days of old, and nothing displayed the swing in the balance of power more than their high-profile acquisition of Sam Burgess.  Now, I have it on good authority that Leicester were sniffing around for his signature, but once they realised the RFU wouldn't be assisting with the £500,000+ transfer fee demanded by the Rabbitohs – the NRL outfit – they quickly backed away.  It was a small hurdle for Craig, who has now acquired himself one of sport's hottest properties, and shown that one of the powerhouses of English rugby is ready to return to the top table.

Of course, to say that it's only money that has got Bath to where they are is to do the players and coaches a gross disservice.  The shrewd acquisition and management of players has been expertly overseen by the no-nonsense coaching duo of Mike Ford and Toby Booth, who have got Bath to move away from the eye-bleedingly awful style they were practicing last year.  Now with pace and inventiveness throughout the team, the West Country side play with real energy and precision, relying on quick ball to be generated by their superb flankers Francois Louw and Matt Garvey in order to allow Ford to put his runners into space.  And what optios he has – power from Matt Banahan, quick feet from Kyle Eastmond, and gliding guile from Anthony Watson and Ollie Devoto.  The fact that they are yet to be beaten at home this season shows how far they have developed and how comfortable they are with their brand of rugby – at the Rec, they back themselves against anyone.

Not that Saracens will be intimidated.  They've done the double over their opponents every year for the last 3 years (including a humilating 0 - 22 at the Rec last season), and will hold no fear for the Rec.  Saracens, of course, have assembled a team of stars themselves, but they work to a plan that is slightly different to Bath.  The Londoners are all about momentum, and Mark McCall has put together a relentlessly physical team that will batter teams into retreating at a rate of knots before putting the ball wide and finishing with clinical precision, with the predatory David Strettle and Chris Ashton lurking out wide.  This isn't boring rugby; this is bullying.  This is a team who have thrown off the tag of having 'bought' success by playing intelligent and ultimately winning brands of rugby, and Steve Borthwick and co will be determined to put these new challengers in their place.

But doing so will be considerably more difficult than in previous years.  Because these are the new heavyweights in town, and when whistle blows tonight, you can bet both will come out swinging, desperate to demonstrate their title credentials.  Let's get ready to rumble…

Bath Team News

Bath make a number of changes as they look to close the gap on second-placed Saracens in Friday's game at The Rec.   Peter Stringer and George Ford pair up at half-back, with Matt Banahan on the wing, and props Paul James and Anthony Perenise among those joining the pack.

Starting Line up:  Abendanon; Watson, Devoto, Eastmond, Banahan; Ford, Stringer; James, Batty, Perenise; Day, Attwood; Fa'osiliva, Louw (capt), Houston.

Subs: Guinazu, Catt, Orlandi, Caldwell, Mercer, Young Henson, Rokoduguni.

Key Player

George Ford.  I wasn't alone in my doubts over young fly half.  I thought that he was looking like potentially slipping into the category of unfulfilled great talents, with a series of wet displays for Leicester doing his reputation no good at all.  But since he joined Bath, something has clicked.  I'm not sure if it is purely the fact he is now first choice – he did get decent game time at the Tigers – but he seems to have very quickly settled into Bath's gameplan, to the point where it feels as if it has almost been built around him.  His control, decision making and eye for a gap have been superb all year, but he will need to raise his standard even further if he is to break down one of the meanest defences in the league.

Saracens Team News

England wing David Strettle plays his 100th game for Sarries after sitting out their 23-10 win over Exeter.  Alex Goode and Neil de Kock return at full-back and scrum-half, and ex-Bath lock Steve Borthwick leads the side.

Starting Line up:  Goode; Strettle, Tomkins, Barritt, Wyles; Hodgson, de Kock; Vunipola, Brits, Johnston; Borthwick (capt), Kruis; Wray, Burger, Joubert.

Subs: George, Barrington, Stevens, Sheriff, Brown, Wigglesworth, Taylor, Bosch.

Key Player

Brad Barritt.  The centre is one of the most widely respected players in the Premiership, gaining admiration for his bravery, leadership and physicality in defence.  Unfortunately, he's also been labelled as a little bit boring and so has found himself cast out of the international scene, for now, and there is increased scrutiny on his ability to provide a genuine attacking threat.  He'll certainly be facing one in the electric Kyle Eastmond, who is himself pressing for international recognition, but all eyes will be on the options Barritt can offer going forward – against a talented and fast backline, Barritt needs to target the channel between Ford and Eastmond with short hard lines if Saracens are going to be asking question outside of the pack.

Key Battle

Francois Louw v Jacques Burger.  On show tonight are two of the Premiership's finest imports and, by common consensus, two of rugby's biggest nutters.  And I mean that in the complementary way.  If you are looking for blokes who put their faces where most players wouldn't put their feet, then these are two of the top guys for ruling the dark worlds of the breakdown and the contact area.    Louw was in my 'dream team' of 2013 in recognition of his international displays and the fact that, at times last season, he seemed to be dragging Bath through matches single-handedly – now, however, his side have raised their standards to the level he demands.  His opposite number, Burger, may not be captain, but he is the heartbeat of the Sarries' defence, smashing runners with glee and offering a real presence over the ball in rucks.  With a Bath gameplan that is dependent on quick ball, the battle between these two will be as fascinating as it is crucial for the outcome of the game.

Prediction

The Premiership Clubs should be very worried about Bath.  The new moneybags of the English league, they are assembling a side that looks every bit as fluid and threatening as the one from the glory days in the early 90s.  Sarries may not be quite as sexy to watch, but they have invested wisely too, and their brand of no frills, physically dominating rugby is equally impressive in its own way.  The clash between the two styles should lead to a game that potentially has everything, which I am sure now means we will have an 80 minute spectacle of kick-tennis.  But, assuming, that both sides play to their strengths, we should be in for a real treat.  I just get the feeling though from recent games that international call-ups – though not overly extensive – have affected Saracen's cohesiveness and there are just a couple of small cracks starting to emerge.  At the Rec this season, that is all the hosts will need to grab crucial win in the battle for playoff places.  Bath by 4.

Let's see what's happening in this weekend's other games:

Exeter Chiefs v London Irish:  Irish have been looking impressive of late whilst the Chiefs have been properly struggling for the first real time since joining the Premiership.  That said, Sandy Park advantage should be enough to see the hosts through.  Chiefs by 7.

Harlequins v Worcester Warriors:  Things don't get any easier for winless Worcester, who have faced Leicester, Northampton and Sale on consecutive weekends, as they head to the Stoop.  Expect an easy victory for the home side here.  Quins by 16.

London Wasps v Sale Sharks:  Both sides have taken real steps in the right direction this season and we could be in for a real battle at Adams Park.  With home advantage though, I think Wasps should nick what could be a high-scoring affair.  Wasps by 2.

Northampton Saints v Gloucester:  Gloucester looked much more like the side we expect last weekend and they will go into the game at Franklin's Gardens with renewed confidence…but they will be met by a side hell-bent on revenge for a controversial defeat earlier on the season.  Saints by 8.

Newcastle Falcons v Leicester Tigers:  The Falcons are tricky at home but they haven't won in the league for 9 consecutive matches.  Tigers may not be in the best form but the big news is that they welcome back Manu Tuilagi, who must be hungry for some victims rugby after so long out.  Tigers by 10.