Game one done. Bath took the win of a scrappy nip and tuck fixture against Warriors, and as they say four points are better than none. A win is a win and as I have had pointed out to me running rugby hasn't been overly successful for Bath, which is true I would rather they win ugly rather than lose pretty.
Next step is the rejuvenated Wasps. They struggled to stay in the premiership last season taking to the wire with Falcons on the last day. A few new members of personnel and the returning Haskell saw them play what can only be an epic match against last years champions Quins at Twickenham on Saturday. After losing a 27 point lead to lose 42-40 Wasps will be up to prove they're ready to put last year behind them. The game against Quins controversially came down to two decisions by the new TMO system and seemed to affect their game. Against Bath they will want to right their wrongs.
Similarly Bath had a slightly exuberant Ref who became a little to swift to blow up and not allow the game to flow. Luckily for Bath the Boot of Barkley managed to take more of an advantage of the frequent penalties than Andy Goode could. The first game of any campaign is always a tricky undertaking and to come out victorious will always aid the path through the season.
So what can we expect from a fixture between Bath and Wasps? If the game is allowed to flow all I can say is fireworks.
Lining up opposed to each other is four of the most explosive wingers in the league. Bath have Biggs and Eastmond and Wasps are armed with Varndell and Wade, so if the ball goes wide in the right territory of the park we may be treated with some pacey tries.
Claasens will have his work cut out squaring up against Simpson as both have the integral role of linking the pack and back line potentially releasing either set of wingers or allowing the two packs to drive it forward.
Bath's pack against Worcester was the strongest and showed the most stability I have seen for a long time. Louw may be toasting the bench for south Africa this weekend but one thing Bath have is a good depth in back row. Although the pack may be strong a certain few of the Wasps boys aren't to shabby either, enter messers Haskell and Palmer. Haskell since his little globe trotting experience tour has returned in good form and looks very powerful. Palmer has and is always Mr consistent and a handful for any forward.
We could be faced with firecracker of a fixture and hoping the Blue, Black and White faithful are there to lift the boys at the Rec and turn it back to the Fotress it once was. Regardless of the way in which the tactics may go, be it kicking or passing, I hope to see Bath 2/2 at the end of the weekend. So everyone practice for Saturdays encounter all together......'COME ON BATH'
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