Bath have a clear mountain to climb in France against Clermont on Sunday. It is too late to reach the summit of Pool 3, never mind the Champions Cup itself, but another massive challenge also awaits. Bath must build confidence, credibility and cohesion for significant Premiership contests ahead. Last Friday’s tie was close until half time, but Clermont’s power and precision took over in the second half. If they can claim a bonus point away, they surely pose a daunting prospect in front of their home support.
Clermont’s potency is based not only on an abundance of talent and genuine strength in depth, but also the cohesion of a settled squad, most of whom have been together for several years. They could be even stronger next weekend if Damien Penaud is fit, although his youthful replacement, Samuel Ezeala scored two of their tries at the Rec. It is the forwards though who present an obstacle of massif scale to Bath’s hopes of a win. Clermont enjoyed 62% of territory and 68% possession in the second half on Friday, reversing the balance of the opening 40. With quick ball and bruising running they kept Bath on the defensive for long periods and reaped the rewards in a storming 7 minutes which brought 3 tries.
The word “Ferrand” means iron grey and there was certainly plenty of steel in the performance of The CA pack on Friday night. Bath will need to be vigilant and determined not to cough up the ball as they did too often that evening. If they are that wasteful again, the Clermont backs are likely bounce back in counter attack once more.
After an encouraging opening spell last Friday, Bath failed to capitalise on further chances. Cook’s break fizzled out for lack of support, a kickable penalty was spurned, so instead of a possible 10-point lead, they entered the dressing room all square at half time. It was the visitors who came out the stronger
proving Bath’s early huff and puff nothing like enough, as Stuart Hooper was honest enough to admit. He lamented “the details” letting the team down and it is hard to disagree Clermont’s third and fourth tries came from Bath failing to control the ball, while a lineout overthrow not only squandered a good attacking position but also heaped defensive pressure as the players struggled to cope with Clermont’s intensity.
With Francois Louw facing an HIA, which if failed would leave Bath’s back row resources near paper thin, the omens for the match do not look good. However, there is much to play for. Next up after the French trip are London Irish, in the first of 4 tricky Premiership ties which could define the season. To prepare for those the coaches may choose to rest some key players. Whoever takes the field in Blue, Black and White will need to reproduce the positive elements we saw in flashes last Friday: quick ball, swift hands at scrum half and ambition in attack. Jonathon Joseph’s late try showed only what might have been, but did serve as a reminder of the threat he poses when supplied with ball in space.
Bath must find some inner steel this Sunday and put on a performance to be proud of. Otherwise the next few weeks could turn very grey indeed.
Possible Bath Team:
Obano, Dunn, Stuart, McNally, Stooke, Bayliss, Underhill, Williams.Chudley, (Capt.) Burns. McConnochie, Roberts, Joseph, Rokodoguni. Homer.
Replacements: Boyce, Walker, Judge, Garvey, Ellis. Cook, Priestland, Hamer-Webb.
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il a repris les entrainements
