Johann van Graan will rule on whether Bath Rugby can strengthen their side for this weekend’s crunch PREM Rugby Cup Round 10 tie with Gloucester Rugby.
Bath Rugby face a must-win match against Gloucester Rugby after losing to Exeter Chiefs here at Sandy Park on Saturday 21st February | Photo © Richard Briggs
A 31-19 defeat at Exeter Chiefs in Round 9 on Saturday 21st February means Bath – who won the competition last season – have to overcome the Cherry & Whites at The Rec, and wipe out their visitors’ three-point advantage in Pool A, if they are to secure a place in the last four.
At the Blue, Black & White’s post-match press conference at Sandy Park, academy lead coach Mark Lilley – who has been given the reins for this block of PREM Cup fixtures – said that he will be speaking with van Graan, the club’s head of rugby, about selections for the derby clash taking place on Saturday 28th February.
Lilley said: “I’ll chat with Johann on Monday [23rd February]. We’ll have a conversation. Obviously, he’ll make the selections.
“What we just said inside [the dressing rooms], though, was what a three weeks it’s been [with PREM Cup wins over Sale Sharks and Bristol Bears, and then the experience of facing a strong Exeter team].
“It’s given us a great opportunity now to fight at home for a semi-final in this competition, which is really important for us, and against Gloucester.
“This group that’s represented the club over the last few weeks have done a great job, and we’re really looking forward to next week.
“We’ll have a good week this week. We’re going to put everything into making sure we’re very prepped going into Gloucester.
“That’s our focus – make sure we work on our performance.”
One thing is certain. If Bath do progress to the semi-finals, they will receive an away tie against Leicester Tigers.
The Blue, Black & White had the temerity to take an early lead against the Chiefs and hold it until the 23rd minute.
And the visitors made a gutsy display against an Exeter side who benefited from the return from England camp of Henry Slade and Greg Fisilau, who both came off the bench around the hour mark.
Lilley said: “Close game, very proud of the effort.
“I thought we were physical, we put a lot of pressure on Exeter.
“Territory wise, we couldn’t get in their half and we didn’t give ourselves enough opportunities inside the 22.
“It was hard to then put points on the board off the back of that.
“But overall, very proud. I thought we came down here and gave a really good account of ourselves. For our youngsters, what a great opportunity it was.
“We always focus on ourselves. We’re not really fussed on what opposition put out – and that last 15, 20 minutes, it could’ve gone our way.
“But unfortunately it just got away from us at the end.”
When asked by the Echo if he felt frustrated that Exeter fielded a powerful side when Bath have put out teams dominated by youth in the PREM Cup so far this term, Lilley said that the Blue, Black & White are not concerned about their opponents’ approach.
And he emphasised what a great experience it had been at Sandy Park for his charges.
