THE concept of ‘The Clash’ appeals to me, with an expected crowd of 60,000 at Twickenham to watch Bath against Leicester a testament to the staunch support still commanded by two clubs who were giants of the English game.
They are not quite on that pedestal these days, with Saracens having stolen their thunder and both clubs still in transition after multiple changes of coaches and players.
Leicester and Bath have had titanic battles in the past – including cup finals at Twickenham which I was lucky enough to have played in and finished on the winning side. However, in the modern era Leicester have been on top more often than not, despite a couple of decent Bath results.
This time when they meet neither team will be fully loaded and at their premium best, but which of them improves enough to come out on top could have a big influence on the Premiership run-in by claiming fourth place – and a semi-final.
That said, I would not hold out much chance of either of these Leicester or Bath teams challenging for the title by getting a semi-final result at Wasps. The reality is that both teams are really looking at a top six finish to get them into Europe next season – and if I was the coach of either of them I'd rather the season ended a game early so you could start preparing for the next campaign.
Leicester still have among the most solid foundations in the English and European game. They have the stadium, the support, the tradition and history, and let’s not forget many clubs would love to be in the position they are in. Fourth in the league and an AngloWelsh Cup title may not be good enough for the Tigers – with Richard Cockerill and Aaron Mauger being shown the door – but that would be an enviable position for many other clubs.
ãã®èšäºã¯ The Rugby Paper ã® April 02,2017 çã«æ²èŒãããŠããŸãã
7 æ¥éã® Magzter GOLD ç¡æãã©ã€ã¢ã«ãéå§ããŠãäœåãã®å³éžããããã¬ãã¢ã ã¹ããŒãªãŒã9,000 以äžã®éèªãæ°èã«ã¢ã¯ã»ã¹ããŠãã ããã
ãã§ã«è³Œèªè ã§ã ?  ãµã€ã³ã€ã³
ãã®èšäºã¯ The Rugby Paper ã® April 02,2017 çã«æ²èŒãããŠããŸãã
7 æ¥éã® Magzter GOLD ç¡æãã©ã€ã¢ã«ãéå§ããŠãäœåãã®å³éžããããã¬ãã¢ã ã¹ããŒãªãŒã9,000 以äžã®éèªãæ°èã«ã¢ã¯ã»ã¹ããŠãã ããã
ãã§ã«è³Œèªè ã§ã? ãµã€ã³ã€ã³
Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
England need to be more consistent
I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.