Ryan Davis believes his Bath Rugby side showed character in their narrow defeat at Gloucester Rugby in the PREM Rugby Cup – and he says there is all to play for as they gear up for their Round 5 clash with Sale Sharks.
A young Bath Rugby side were beaten 19-17 by Gloucester Rugby at rain-lashed Kingsholm Stadium in PREM Rugby Cup Round 4 on Friday 14th November | Photo © Richard Briggs
The Blue, Black & White fielded a very young line-up at rain-lashed Kingsholm Stadium on Friday 14th November and were pipped 19-17 by a home team that included 53-cap All Black Nepo Laulala.
The reverse was cup holders Bath’s second as they bid to retain the trophy they lifted in March – and it means that the pressure is on when Sale visit The Rec on Saturday 22nd November.
Coach Davis, who is leading the Blue, Black & White in the current block of cup matches while head of rugby Johann van Graan prepares for the Investec Champions Cup campaign, was upbeat at his post-match press conference at Kingsholm.
He said: “I think we created a lot of opportunities. The first 10, 15 minutes, you could show that we had intent to play. And then I think we overplayed a little bit.
“We could’ve transferred a little bit more pressure.
“You could see that Gloucester started to kick a little bit more. [Hosts’ fly-half George] Barton put us back into our own half a few times, and then off the back [of that] a few mistakes.
“That [Gloucester] try going into half-time [to give the home side a 19-12 lead] probably applied a little bit more pressure to us.
“We had a good half-time chat. We changed the game plan, got a little bit more back aerially.
“But again, as I said to the boys, it’s fine margins. Five or six times in their 22 we didn’t convert. And I think that was the gutting thing. But we showed character. I thought we could’ve whittled away.
“There was a bit of momentum swing, [after] about 60 minutes, but we kept fighting.
“So I was chuffed with that part, just disappointed we didn’t convert as many times as we got in their 22.
“You’ve got to find ways of giving opportunities. Kieran Verden and Will Butt were probably the older boys amongst that group, and Ethan Staddon and so on.
“But if we don’t play them in these games, where do we play them?
“So I think the balance of the last two, three weeks has been good. It was a bit younger tonight.”
Regarding Bath’s line-out work, Davis said: “Speaking to Luke Charteris, I thought we needed to find a way to get the ball off the pitch a bit more because we could test them.
“I think we had five or six wins. Between our second rows and Ethan Staddon, we found a way to apply pressure to them.
“It’s just the last couple of decisions, I think maybe we could’ve gone to that driving maul and put them under a bit more pressure but we didn’t.
“So it’s good learning for the young boys, especially our shot callers.”
Of replacement number 8 Arthur Green, who came on for the final quarter, Davis said: “I thought he made a massive impact.
“His footwork, his collision. He gave us a lot of momentum and a bit of energy.
“I probably could’ve brought him on a bit earlier – but his impact, it was noticeable.
“He just needs to keep playing. The more he keeps playing, you can see he gets more comfortable on the ball.
“I think it was good for him to go to England A for training. He did a few days and then came back. We only picked him up on Thursday.
“He could show that he’s in the mix and he’s been considered and his talent comes through.
“He’s chuffed, he just wants to keep playing and getting on the pitch.
“We want our boys to get as much exposure as possible, and he came back positive and ready to roll.”
Reflecting on a missed penalty by James Linegar in the 74th minute that, had it gone over, would have given Bath a 20-19 advantage, Davis said: “Three years ago, two years ago, when we signed him, he kicked that to win the under-18s’ final against [Northampton] Saints.
“So we’re in the [coaches’] box looking at each other going ‘He’s got this one’ and unfortunately he missed it, but it’s a great learning moment for him.
“We’ll look at his run-up, his process, whatever it is, and then just say ‘Look, it’s something for you to get better from’.
“They don’t always go your way – and you’re kicking in Kingsholm in front of a few thousand people, it’s precious. So it’s good for him to learn that.”
Bath lost prop Scott Kirk when he failed a head injury assessment following a high tackle by Laulala – who received a yellow card – early on.
Davis said: “It was quite a high shot, I thought.
“He wore it, he got back up and I thought he was good. He was going to crack on, but no. I’m gutted for him because I wanted to see him play, he trained all week.
“He’s a good spot. I thought he played really well against Bristol [Bears on Friday 31st October], and a couple of good pick and goes.
“I’m gutted that he couldn’t finish the game off.”
Looking ahead to the clash with Sale, Davis said: “I imagine going into next week before we go into the PREM, there’ll be a few more changes [to the line-up]. I think it’ll be balanced.
“You finish that game next week, you’re into 12 weeks straight. It’s quite an intense block, so you’ve still got to give those boys enough rest and still keep giving these lads opportunities or they don’t get the exposure. So it’s balance.
“I think it’s all to play for still [for Bath in the PREM Rugby Cup].
“We could go into the second block potentially with a win [over Sale], and I think that leaves it all up to those last four games.
“So disappointed that we lost tonight, especially with the opportunities we had. We could’ve been sitting here with 10 points. But there’s still much more rugby to be played.”
Gloucester defence coach Dom Waldouck acknowledged that the Blue, Black & White put his side under a lot of pressure.
At his post-match press conference, the former Wasps and Northampton Saints centre said: “I was particularly pleased with how we defended our own 22, which comes down to desire, heart, effort, fight, attitude, and we showed that in abundance.
“There was a lot [of Bath pressure] to withstand but the way the boys stuck in there and fought hard for each other is the biggest thing – and that’s why we won the game.”
