Bath vs Leicester - Sunday 3pm

[Puja]

Bath: Watson; Cokanasiga, Joseph, Redpath, Muir; J Matavesi, Spencer; Obano, Walker, Stuart, McNally, Ewels (capt), Faletau, Underhill, Mercer.

Replacements: Du Toit, J Schoeman, Thomas, Williams, Reid, Chudley, Bailey, Gray.

Leicester: Steward; Potter, Moroni, Kelly, Murimurivalu; Ford, B Youngs; Genge, T Youngs (capt), Cole, Wells, Green, Martin, Reffell, Wiese.

Replacements: Clare, De Bruin, Heyes, Lavanini, Wallace, Wigglesworth, McPhillips, Scott.

[Puja]

Winner gets to move into the top 6 after Irish's loss on Friday night. Very close to a first choice XXIII for Leicester for the first time in a very long time. Only Nadolo, Montoya, and Liebenberg missing as far as I can see. I think this one could come down to who concedes the fewest stupid penalties to feed the oppo's strong mauling game.

Interesting to see that Kelly's selected ahead of Scott. Good to see the trust in youngsters.

Puja

[FKAS]

I think Bath are missing three from their probable best XV as well. Hooker, 10 and wing.

I think Bath are favourites with the bookies and I suppose they are the home team. I'm quite looking forward to it. Two English tight fives are going to wage war at the set piece. Watson Vs Steward round 2 with Watson no doubt hoping that better conditions allow him to do more running and less staring into the sky wondering where Ford's spiral bomb is going to drop and whether that lock sized full back is going to beat him to it again. Youngs Vs Spencer at 9 will be an interesting one with many talking up Spencer as someone who should be considered for England, Youngs was very good Vs Connacht so game on there.

Yes, I was pleased to see Kelly backed though he's got a tough game on his hands Vs Redpath. Ford may have called Kelly Tigers most improved player but this will be a stern examination of by just how much he's improved. In attack he'll have to pick his lines well as both Redpath and Matavesi are decent tacklers so it won't just be in defence he has a tough ask.

[Which Tyler]

I think Bath are missing three from their probable best XV as well. Hooker, 10 and wing.

I'd say 4 - I'm pretty sure neither winger would be in the first choice XV this year (but both would be fighting for a bench spot). 1st choice would be DeGlanville at the back, with Watson and McConnochie out wide.
I'm also not sure we'd see that backrow if Bayliss was fit, but that's much more debateable and based on balance - it's also a position of both strength and depth.

It's only FH that worries me in terms of the team announcement; though Walker is currently a big step down. Hopefully Coka can continue his fight for form now he's got his off-field dramas behind him.

I'm surprised Bath are favourites with the bookies TBH - you're probably right that it's the home advantage that swings it there; as punters haven't realised that home advantage barely means anything without crowds (see the differences in ref decisions evening out significantly over lockdown).
I'd say this is too close to call, and will come down to a stroke of genius / luck, a ref decision, or a novel tactical change.
So Matevesi selling an outrageous dummy, or Ford's kicks landing where only Steward is expecting them.

[Tigersman]

For me Brink would be in my first team also.

[Puja]

For me Brink would be in my first team also.

Where though? Wiese is our 8, Martin and Liebenberg are fighting to be our form 6 (and the other would be on the bench), and I'm really not sure Brink is a 7, or at least not one that would form a particularly balanced back row with the other two.

I'm surprised Bath are favourites with the bookies TBH - you're probably right that it's the home advantage that swings it there; as punters haven't realised that home advantage barely means anything without crowds (see the differences in ref decisions evening out significantly over lockdown).
I'd say this is too close to call, and will come down to a stroke of genius / luck, a ref decision, or a novel tactical change.
So Matevesi selling an outrageous dummy, or Ford's kicks landing where only Steward is expecting them.

I think it might come down to the coaching. Borthwick's started to get actual team and greater-than-the-sum-of-their-parts performances out of Leicester over the last month or so, but the revolution is still very new. Hooper is still putting out a team on paper that makes you go wow, but I'm not sure is getting the best out of them yet. If Bath produce what those players are capable of, then I'd agree they should be favourites. As it is, I'm looking forward to a very evenly matched game (and hopefully a precursor to the Euro final).

Puja

[Tigersman]

For me Brink would be in my first team also.

Where though? Wiese is our 8, Martin and Liebenberg are fighting to be our form 6 (and the other would be on the bench), and I'm really not sure Brink is a 7, or at least not one that would form a particularly balanced back row with the other two.

I'm surprised Bath are favourites with the bookies TBH - you're probably right that it's the home advantage that swings it there; as punters haven't realised that home advantage barely means anything without crowds (see the differences in ref decisions evening out significantly over lockdown).
I'd say this is too close to call, and will come down to a stroke of genius / luck, a ref decision, or a novel tactical change.
So Matevesi selling an outrageous dummy, or Ford's kicks landing where only Steward is expecting them.

I think it might come down to the coaching. Borthwick's started to get actual team and greater-than-the-sum-of-their-parts performances out of Leicester over the last month or so, but the revolution is still very new. Hooper is still putting out a team on paper that makes you go wow, but I'm not sure is getting the best out of them yet. If Bath produce what those players are capable of, then I'd agree they should be favourites. As it is, I'm looking forward to a very evenly matched game (and hopefully a precursor to the Euro final).

Puja

Against Bath I reckon Brink would be starting 7.

[fivepointer]

Leicester have improved enormously this season. They have gone from relegation candidates to genuine top 6 contenders. Credit to Borthwick.
It could be a close one with some tasty personal battles to look forward to (Genge v Stewart, Youngs v Spencer, Steward v Watson)

[twitchy]

Fun start in the sunshine.

[FKAS]

Everyone's having a go at an offload at the minute. Even George Martin has thrown one to hand.

Real shame to see Joseph go off. Him Vs Moroni was looking tasty. As a Tigers fan I won't worry about it to much obviously.

[Mikey Brown]

Dallaglio really bringing the cringey banter today isn’t he.

Struggling to tell Redpath, Muir and Bailey apart at times.

[FKAS]

Dayglo is an awful pundit.

Not sure how Pearce decided a clear knock on from Watson under a high ball was Steward "tipping it back". Must have been an incredible tip back as it looked frankly impossible. Gives Bath the possession that leads to the try.

[Mikey Brown]

Oh my god I wish they’d stop saying spiral bomb.

[FKAS]

Dayglo loves a buzz word. Makes him sound likes he's kept up with what's happening in rugby and isn't just waffling on and offering nothing in terms of analysis. Monye is ok but he hasn't got much to work with opposite Mr Ego.

[Which Tyler]

Sums up Bath today.
Adventurous, but a bit thick, resulting in Leicester possession

[FKAS]

Ben Spencer gets a bit carried away with a penalty as time goes red. Goes for a very optimistic crossfield kick as opposed to a pretty straightforward 3 points. What was he thinking?

[FKAS]

Tigers score a nice multi phase try and all Dayglo can saw is spiral bomb. Yes there was one but there was three or four line breaks after that. Having said that Steward finally allowed to contest a high ball offensively and Watson is in trouble.

[Mikey Brown]

Slightly odd mix from Pearce of being very pedantic at times and then other times just telling players they're committing an offence but not blowing the whistle. Not that this is unique to Pearce.

Amazing how many lineouts Bath have thrown directly to the prop at the front without anyone challenging it.

Watson has had an odd game.

[FKAS]

TMO Rowan Kitt never misses the opportunity to call a completely random penalty against Tigers. A push after the ball has gone at the front of the line out is now foul play that you need to intervene for? There's been plenty of other things he could have intervened for of a similar level but didn't. Stupidly inconsistent.

[Oakboy]

Watching this match, it is hard to believe that Ewels is an international.

[Which Tyler]

Watching this match, it is hard to believe that Ewels is an international.

Even harder to believe that he's considered a real leader and strong captain

[Mikey Brown]

Ha. Spencer hasn't made that easy for himself going wide.

[FKAS]

Pearce very generous to Bath and they finally get the try.

[Mikey Brown]

Nails it. I guess he's spent so much time around the ice man it's rubbed off.

[twitchy]

Great game.