Worcester vs. Bath

Worcester:

15 Errie Claassens
14 Marcel Garvey
13 Alex Grove
12 Dale Rasmussen (c)
11 Miles Benjamin
10 Joe Carlisle
9 Shaun Perry

1 Matt Mullan
2 Ed Shervington
3 Tevita Taumoepeau
4 Chris Jones
5 Craig Gillies
6 Neil Best
7 Sam Betty
8 Matt Kvesic

Replacements
16 Bruce Douglas
17 Aleki Lutui
18 James Currie
19 Ben Gulliver
20 Jake Abbott
21 Jonny Arr
22 Andy Goode
23 Chris Pennell

Bath:

15. Nick Abendanon
14. Olly Woodburn
13. Dan Hipkiss
12. Sam Vesty
11. Tom Biggs
10. Stephen Donald
9. Michael Claassens
1. Charlie Beech
2. Mark Lilley
3. Anthony Perenise
4. Dave Attwood
5. Ryan Caldwell
6. Francois Louw
7. Lewis Moody (c)
8. Simon Taylor

Replacements

16. Will Tanner
17. David Flatman
18. David Wilson
19. Stuart Hooper
20. Guy Mercer
21. Mark McMillan
22. Olly Barkley
23. Jack Cuthbert

It's interesting to see Kvesic get a run out in his original position, hope he goes well.

Bath certainly do have a hooker crisis - apparently Hersh has given them all the clap!

More seriously though, I'm pretty sure Lilley is normally a prop so Wuss really need to pressurise the lineout. I can see Wuss sneaking this one.

I have a feeling that Wuss might just win the set piece battle for this one. Think the selection of Carlisle over Goode will come back to bite them in the bottom though. Against this Bath team Goode's experience and massive boot could have pinned the Bath team back and forced them to try and run it from their 22 or kick it down the throats of the Wuss back three (who are all damn pacey).

My prediction Wuss 15 (scored in 3s) vs Bath 13 (1 converted try and 2 pens).

The hooker crisis really could be an issue, a prop who used to play hooker at U16 level doesnt necessarily inspire me with confidence! Keep the ball on the park is going to be the aim of the game!

Away from that interesting to see the club captain dropped in the second row, plus the battle of the Claasens brother of course. I'm hoping Donald can inspire the backline, close win for Bath I think.

Away from that interesting to see the club captain dropped in the second row

Especially as he's normally the main target at the lineout and doesn't he call the lineout as well? Talk about making life difficult for the stand in hooker Liley. Wonder how Caldwell is keeping his place, the couple of times I've seen Bath play he's looked pretty average.

He does indeed Sam. I'm sure either Attwood or Caldwell can stand in for that role but as you say, its not exactly making things easy! There has been a bit of a feeling that he hasnt been playing well and has only been a starter due to the armband, so maybe this will be a kick up the backside for him.

Caldwell has looked ok when I've seen him, in my opinion Attwood is the pick of our locks though, so I dont know why he has been on the bench behind the Ulsterman.

Anyone want a pair of tickets for tomorrows game?

Caldwell was quality on Sunday, made good yards, carried well, disrupted the lineout.

Hooker crisis is obviously bad, but couldn't have come at a better time. Apparently we have a short term international class loan coming in on special dispensation. I'm hoping its Mealamu, he might fancy 3/4 weeks of rugby on big cash, as he is here for the Baa baa anyways

Bathite wrote:Caldwell was quality on Sunday, made good yards, carried well, disrupted the lineout.

Hooker crisis is obviously bad, but couldn't have come at a better time. Apparently we have a short term international class loan coming in on special dispensation. I'm hoping its Mealamu, he might fancy 3/4 weeks of rugby on big cash, as he is here for the Baa baa anyways

I thought those short loans were only applicable during the world cup, otherwise it's a minimum 3 months and wouldn't that rule out Mealamu?

You stalking me HKC?

Not really sure to be honest, just assumed that it would be different as hooker is a specialist position. It's considered dangerous/illegal to not have specialists there and Lilley hasn't played there since U16s and that was a handful of games at most.

Mealamu was me dreaming, realistically it will be a Currie Cup man I would imagine

I was here 1st

You could always bring Azam out of retirement...

I've heard rumours of Bismark Du Plessis......

BDP was asked by some of our SA boys, apparently Louw was on the recruitment drive. One 'big SA player' was contacted and talks progressed, but couldn't go further due to a contract or something. Reckon that was BDP.

Wow........not quite BDP!

http://www.thisisamericanrugby.com/2011/11/chris-biller-signs-with-bath.html

Slight anti-climax.......

The reality of the situation is that you weren't ever going to be able to get a truly top class hooker at such short notice as none were available - I am capable of making serious comments about Bath...

I thought those short loans were only applicable during the world cup, otherwise it's a minimum 3 months and wouldn't that rule out Mealamu?.

The minimum 3 month loan only matters if they intend to use that player as part of the HEC squad. I think there's a get out anyway as it is an injury replacement in a specialist position as opposed to a short term squad strengthening.

im looking forward to this game its on sky, the program is about to start.

donald was excellant at the weekend and im looking forward to seeing what impact he will have in the AP.

First time I've seen Kvesic - he certainly carries well.

Two young English looseheads looking good around the park.

Yes, Kvesic doing pretty well at 8. He was superb for England U20 at openside this year.

If Mullen stays fit then I expect him to challenging for a place in the 6N along with Corbisiero, Marler and Sheridan (if fit / considered). If it wasn't for injury he would have more than 1 cap for England.

Beech has a good turn of pace for a prop, looks a decent prospect. Along with Catt Bath have a couple of good young props.

Great result for Worcester. Best wishes to Dave Attwood, looked as if it was a nasty injury.

Ozzy3213 wrote:Great result for Worcester. Best wishes to Dave Attwood, looked as if it was a nasty injury.

Yes, it didn't look good, here's hoping it's not too serious. He had played pretty well until the incident.

I know Bath had injuries but every time I've seen them this year they have looked pretty ordinary. With the heavy squad investment Bath fans must have been expecting more. Great result for Worcester though.

Bath looked pretty average and Donald was poor throughout. Kept trying to force things and never looked in control.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Bath looked pretty average and Donald was poor throughout. Kept trying to force things and never looked in control.

I don't always agree with you Pooly, but that's a cracking summary. Worst Bath performance for 2/3 years, since the 16-0 at home to Lonodn Irish I reckon. Doesn't help your falcons either!

I remember that 16-0 win. Lamb had a stormer and got all the points, it absolutely hammered down and Abendanon had a complete and utter 'mare!

Must be easy to remember Lamb having a stormer! Count on one hand? God that game was an awful watch, i was freaking freezing on the outside, blood boiling on the inside

Just watching ESPN and Flatman has said as far as he's aware Attwood is ok

Just watching ESPN and Flatman has said as far as he's aware Attwood is ok.

Could be concussion. You can never be to careful with bangs on the head. I saw someone quite recently get a knock and he was away, not touched a drop but was about as coherent as when he's had 10 pints.

Bath were very poor throughout, Donald looked lost and just wasn't on the same wave length as his backs. Bath are still carrying one or two players up front and against agressive packs like Worcester's it is hurting them.