THERE IS a comforting methodology to Joe Schmidt’s coaching. See below for his away day line-up. It’s the same starting XV he fielded in Montpellier.
The only difference to the 23-man squad is Cian Healy. The Irish prop was injured in November’s 16-16 draw but must be content with playing second fiddle to Heinke van der Merwe tomorrow. Healy will certainly feature at some stage as Schmidt has established an effective formula on European road trips. All 13 forwards tend to be used. The frontrowers put in no more than 60-minute shifts, emptying their tanks, before the cavalry jogs in, usually before a big scrum.
Seán Cronin is currently part of the 20-minute wrecking crew and Richardt Strauss will be keen to keep it that way.
Damien Browne’s brawn is to be utilised at lock ahead of Devin Toner as Steven Sykes (virus) is unavailable this weekend.
Shane Jennings continues to be fourth choice in the backrow queue and that means no room for Rhys Ruddock in the squad.
The same applies to the fastest man in Irish rugby. Fionn Carr must be deeply frustrated to be surplus to requirements especially considering Connacht’s third Heineken Cup match takes place today against Gloucester.
Schmidt’s travelling backline always goes with the feistier Fergus McFadden and Isaac Boss ahead of Eoin O’Malley and Eoin Reddan at centre and scrumhalf respectively. Isa Nacewa continues at right wing.
Boss and the backrow will be charged with monitoring Bath’s superb South African number nine Michael Claassens.
“Claassens is just that – he’s class,” said Schmidt. “Great right foot. He probes around the fringes really. Organises defensively, reads defences very, very well so he actually gets forward in the defensive line and puts pressure on himself.
“(Matt) Banahan and (Dan) Hipkiss in the midfield are very combative and they have speed to burn out wide with (Nick) Abendanon a quality counter-attacker.” Banahan is actually named on the wing, although McFadden will have to deal with his 18st frame at some stage, as Olly Barkley brings a more creative dimension to the Bath midfield.
Bath’s chief playmaker is Stephen Donald whose ever-increasing influence must be respected but Schmidt knows plenty about the World Cup-winning outhalf having coached him at New Zealand schools.
Yet it is the Bath set-piece and backrow that Schmidt highlighted as his main concern, even comparing their pack, in both stature and belligerence, to his own dogs of war.
Anything short of victory all but ends Bath’s interests in this competition but, even if Schmidt expects the full artillery to be unloaded, this shouldn’t strike fear into his players who man for man, system for system, look capable of picking up four away points.
BATH: N Abendanon; J Cuthbert, D Hipkiss, O Barkley, M Banahan; S Donald, M Claassens; D Flatman, C Biller, D Wilson, D Attwood, R Caldwell, F Louw (capt), G Mercer, S Taylor. Replacements: C Beech, N Catt, A Perenise, W Spencer, A Beattie, C Cook, T Heathcote, S Vesty.
LEINSTER: R Kearney; I Nacewa, F McFadden, G D'Arcy, L Fitzgerald; J Sexton, I Boss; H Van Der Merwe, R Strauss, M Ross, L Cullen (capt), D Browne, K McLaughlin, S O'Brien, J Heaslip. Replacements: S Cronin, C Healy, N White, D Toner, S Jennings, E Reddan, I Madigan, E O'Malley.
Referee:Jerome Garces (France).
Previous Heineken Cup meetings:Bath 23-35 Leinster (Jan, 2006), Leinster 19-22 Bath (Oct, 2005), Bath 23-27 Leinster (Janu, 2005).
Results so far:Glasgow 26-21 Bath; Bath 16-13 Montpellier. Montpelleir 16-16 Leinster; Leinster 38-13 Glasgow.
Leading points scorers:Bath – T Heatcote 18 points. Leinster – J Sexton 22 points.
Leading try scorers:Bath – O Woodburn, D Flatman try each. Leinster – Eoin O'Malley two tries.
Odds:Bath (+6) 10/11; Leinster (-6) 10/11.
Verdict: Leinster win.
