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The Stinging Swarm: Bath v Wasps

Mafi: Hero

By P G Tips
February 16 2016

Were it not for the Six Nations the rugby press would be buzzing with Wasps demolition of Saracens last weekend. An away win at Allianz Park is something of note, but an 8 try, 64 point humbling is a phenomenon. Wasps swarmed all over the wolf pack, finding plenty of places to sting- in the snout, the soft underbelly, the rear of the wolf –pack defence, drawing howls of lupine anguish.. Will they deliver similar amounts of venom a second time in 6 days, at Bath’s expense?  By contrast to the near flawless tactics and execution of the Coventry outfit, Bath had to claw themselves back from an 11 point deficit at lowly Worcester, relying on sheer dog, experience and bloody mindedness. A tight and nerve jangling win was the reward, but it can only be seen as a small stepping stone to the level of performance needed to match the intensity and quality that Wasps are now showing. At least the victory unearthed two potential new heroes in Jonathan Evans and Amanaki Mafi. Dai Young has fashioned Wasps pack, a previously inconsistent unit, into a match winner. Not only do they win quick ball, sweeping opponents out of the way and into defensive disarray, but they are potent carriers and finishers too, especially Johnson and Hughes, who have already shown their worth in punishing Bath’s midfield with bruising charges this season. Once the softening up process has taken it’s toll they can unleash backs with pace, penetration and power – Daly the current press darling, Wade of the dancing feet and the dangerous Piutau. With Halai and Miller also to call on, Wasps have plenty of reserve ammunition in the armoury should the first choices tire.   Bath, by contrast, are beset by injury, inconsistent form and England call ups, especially in the backs. This weekend is not the ideal time to be meeting a team riding a high wave of confidence. On a six nations rest weekend, each club can expect some returns from national preparations and Bath’s best chance of putting up coherent resistance may depend on two players who have had notably little recent game time. Rhys Priestland has shown at Cardiff that he can control a high quality match, while Olly Devoto- who has not fully convinced either Mike Ford or Eddie Jones - has been defensively solid and direct in attack. He has also been exposed to the new Jones England regime- a refreshingly down to earth winning culture. It is to be hoped both will be available to provide nous and strength in midfield.   For the home side the confidence of a first win in seven matches should help steel them further for the stinging onslaught to come.  By contrast and paradoxically, Wasps must count against over confidence after scaling such unexpected heights against the men of Hendon. Their simply stunning win showed that prediction of results is far from black and white, but whatever bath’s optimism this Saturday, the odds look stacked against the Blue, Black and White. Possible Teams: Bath: Auterac, Batty, Wilson. Hooper (Capt), Ewels, Garvey, Fa’osiliva, Mafi Evans, Priestland, Agulla, Devoto, Banahan, Rokodoguni. Homer. Replacements:  Lahiff, Webber, Thomas, Day, Denton. Cook, Hastings, Clark. Wasps: Mullan, Johnson, Cooper-Woolley, Cannon, Myall, Thompson, Smith (capt), Hughes. Robson, Gopperth. Wade, Daly, S Piutau, Bassett. C Piutau Replacements: Festuccia, McIntyre, Swainston, Gaskell, Rieder, Stevenson, Jackson, Miller