As Bath Rugby prepares to host Leicester Tigers at the Recreation Ground, the stakes couldn't be higher with a home advantage in the Gallagher PREM play-offs on the line. This clash is not just a repeat of last year's final but a pivotal moment as Bath looks to tighten their grip on the league's top spots, despite recent stumbles. Rugby legend Jeremy Guscott, with 143 tries for Bath under his belt, shares his insights, emphasizing the need for a dynamic start to secure victory.
"It's far from panic stations," Guscott reassures, despite Bath's recent form which saw them lose three out of their last four league matches. The team's lead over the Tigers has shrunk to a mere two points, igniting the urgency for a turnaround. "If Bath get everything right on Saturday, it is going to be very hard for Leicester," he predicts.
"Their challenge, for me, is starting quicker. If there is one tiny thing I’d like to see them do better it’s start quick; be in the game right from the first whistle."
The historical data underscores the importance of finishing second rather than third; no PREM club ending the regular season in third place has reached the final since 2010. Guscott, who remains England’s fourth-highest try-scorer, points out that Bath's typically strong bench should not be their only hope. "Bath have to be faster starters: start winning games before the bench comes on," he emphasizes.
The absence of Finn Russell continues to be a blow, but Santi Carreras stepping in at fly-half could be key. Guscott also highlights the role of returning centre Max Ojomoh, whose recent performances have been formidable, yet puzzlingly overlooked by England selectors. "I remember getting dropped by England and thinking: 'I can’t change that. The decision’s been made. I just have to carry on playing and trying to play well'," Guscott reflects, expressing confusion over Ojomoh's omission from the Six Nations squad.
"I think Max has done that. With little appreciation and no reward from England. I’m at a loss as to why he wasn’t given an opportunity in the Six Nations."
Bath's strategy will be tested this Saturday, with the team needing not just to win, but to dominate early, setting a tone that could carry them through to the semi-finals and beyond. The game is also a personal affair for Guscott, born and raised in Bath, whose passion for the club is intertwined with his own rugby legacy. As the match approaches, the blend of strategy, history, and personal stakes promises a compelling chapter in Bath's storied rugby history.