A NINE-TRY display in Italy last Saturday points to tomorrow’s Amlin Challenge Cup return against Mogliano being little more than a procession.
But head coach Mike Ford has challenged his Bath players to become an ‘every time’ team as they seek to take a firm grip of Pool Two at the Rec tomorrow (3pm).
With Bath United’s Aviva A League final at Northampton on Monday, plus a Premiership clash at home to Harlequins next Saturday also at the forefront of preparations, Ford is likely to shuffle his cards ahead of an important week, but is keen to ensure no slip in standards despite the expectations of a comfortable victory.
“Regardless of the scoreboard, the opposition, whether it’s home or away, sunny or rainy, we just want to do things the same way every time,’’ he said.
“It’s very difficult when you are expected to win and you get the bonus point by half time, to keep that professionalism up.
“It’s a good challenge. I used to be rubbish in games like this because you know you are going to win, you drop your standards.
“But (fellow coaches) Neal (Hatley) and Toby (Booth) are very detailed, so if the players are not executing our prinicples, they are made aware of it.
“Our challenge to the boys this week was to analyse the games themselves and come back with the answers themselves.’’
Backs Ben Williams (ankle) and Semesa Rokoduguni (knee) are long-term injuries, but Kyle Eastmond, Micky Young, Olly Woodburn and Gavin Henson came through last weekend.
FOR MORE SPORTS NEWS, REPORTS & PICTURES SEE FRIDAY'S WILTSHIRE TIMES AND FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @WTSport
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here