Both teams had eight players in the squad, despite Leicester finishing third in the table and making the play-offs, whereas Bath finished in eighth place. It is pertinent that Bath were bottom of the Premiership until a late winning run in their last four league fixtures.
It is also worth recording that this included a 61-21 home victory in their last league fixture over a Saracens second/third team picked in order to keep their first-string outfit fresh for the Premiership final against Sale.
This number of Bath training squad selections is jarring considering that the club finished last in the Premiership in 2021-22, and seventh in 2020-21, meaning that they have been in the bottom half of the table for the last three years.
Their performance for a big-spending club which is bankrolled by Bruce Craig, one of the richest owners in the Premiership, has been at best inconsistent, and generally mediocre. Yet, somehow, as England prepare for the 2023 World Cup, no less than six forwards in a serially underperforming Bath pack are on the England training roster for the second week running.
It is justifiable speculation that this will increase their chances of making the 33-man World Cup squad Red Rose head coach Steve Borthwick announces on August 7.
Borthwick, who captained Bath during his playing career, has raised eyebrows already by transplanting virtually the whole coaching team he had at Leicester to Twickenham.
Borthwick has taken a similarly narrow view in choosing Bath props Beno Obano and Will Stuart, hooker Tom Dunn, lock Charlie Ewels, and flankers Ted Hill and Sam Underhill.
In addition, he has kept two backs from last week’s preliminary Bath training contingent of nine – wing Joe Cokanasiga and injured centre Ollie Lawrence – and only scrum-half Ben Spencer released.
Denne historien er fra June 25, 2023-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra June 25, 2023-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.
