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'The squad is so young and may have some inexperience in a few areas, but the lads are fighting for each other'
By PA
Ben Spencer has underlined Bath’s desire to “crack the top four” ahead of a key Gallagher Premiership clash against play-off rivals Wasps.
Bath have collected 14 points from a possible 15 since the competition restarted following its five-month stoppage due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Victories over London Irish, Leicester and Northampton also saw them score a total of 13 tries, confirming a form team potentially timing its run perfectly.
A win against Recreation Ground visitors Wasps on Monday would take Bath above Bristol into third place with just five games left.
“We have a sight, and that sight is to crack the top four,” England international scrum-half Spencer told Bath’s official website.
“Everyone is hungry to play, and everyone wants to play, and ultimately the team that is picked is the best team to try and win the game.
“The squad is so young and may have some inexperience in a few areas, but whether it is in training or games, the lads are fighting for each other.
“The will to win here is huge.
“The good thing about now is that people are going to get opportunities, which is good because it keeps that hunger and creates a good vibe for training.”
Bath boss Stuart Hooper has made 12 changes from the side that won impressively at Northampton on Wednesday.
England star Anthony Watson features at full-back, replacing Tom de Glanville, while other switches include starts for centre Josh Matavesi and skipper Charlie Ewels.
Wasps show six changes from the side beaten at home by Sale Sharks five days ago. Lima Sopoaga features at full-back, and there are also opportunities for the likes of centre Ryan Mills, wing Marcus Watson and lock James Gaskell.
London Irish have lost their last five Premiership games, and life is not about to get any easier on Monday against a Saracens team featuring recalled England forwards Jamie George, Maro Itoje and Billy Vunipola.
The Irish starting XV at Twickenham Stoop includes nine current or past members of the club’s academy set-up, while former Argentina Test captain Agustin Creevy makes his debut and England sevens star Dan Norton is on the bench.
Irish rugby director Declan Kidney said: “We know that Monday’s match against Saracens will be a challenge due to the quality of their squad.
“But it is a good chance for us to test ourselves against a great side, and we are looking forward to it.”
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Latest Comments
Agreed. Borthwick will have to write a new excuse book soon .
I have looked at the two world cup final teams from 2003 and 2020.
2003 team scored 187 tries between them in 389 caps
2020 team scored 113 tries between them in 473 caps. As you can see a huge disparity in scoring rate. Only Johnny May with 36 tries in 78 caps scored a higher amount of tries. Elliot Daly comes close but the rest are frankly very poor.
Farrell and Ford scored a pathetic 20 tries between them in a combined 210 caps.
There again , the 2003 team did have Wilko and Greenwood etc whereas 2020 team had Ford and Farrell .
So much people saying that Fords strength is of bringing others into the game .
Really. The figures totally disprove that notion .
It has been mentioned elsewhere that we have accepted mediocrity far too often and the figures would indicate that players are or have been picked far too often without performing .
Go to commentsNot disputing that NZ are ahead of Eng. Also not saying Eng are unlucky (though clearly the tone of the article is not that the ABs were unlucky but that they 'should have' won). Your team are looking great and are on the up. I just felt that Pundits have argued Eng 'should have' won the first test against the ABs, when it's more nuanced than that, and very fine margins determine results that Eng didn't get right. Same applies, therefore, to NZ and other nations. Ben Smith though doesn't seem to see it that way. To be clear: I'm not saying I agree with the 'should haves', but more that I take issue with the phrasing.
Good to see your respect for other nations is so strong! Proper rugby fan you are!!!
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