Bath vs. Biarritz Olympique Pays Basque: Heineken Cup 2010 Preview
- By Adam Currie on October 10, 2010 19:20 GMT
Bath and Biarritz Olympique Pays Basque go head-to-head today in a Pool 4 tie at the Recreation Ground.
The 1998 Heineken Cup winners Bath, will be feeling confident heading into this match knowing that Biarritz Olympique are perhaps one of the unluckiest teams in the competition's history.
That, coupled with an almost flawless display in the Aviva Premiership this season, the men from England will feel that they can win here today.
Despite having made two finals, and another two semi-finals, the French contingent are yet to win the biggest prize in European club rugby. This side is pure class having gone down in a heartbreaking 21-19 loss to Toulouse at the Stade de France.
Bath head coach Steve Meehan has come out publicly stating that defence will be key here today, with him expecting the Basque club to try and pin Bath back in their 22
Bath: Abendanon, Carraro, Hape, Barkley, Banahan, Vesty, Claassens, Watson (capt), Taylor, Beattie, Grewcock, Hooper, Wilson, Dixon, Catt
Biarritz: Haylett-Petty, Ngwenya, Gimenez, Bond, Balshaw, Peyrelongue, Yachvili, Lakafia Harinordoquy, Lund, Lund, Carizza, Johnstone, Terrain, Coetzee
On the team structure end- Bath have lost England captain Lewis Moody for today's match, with Simon Taylor, Luke Watson and Andy Beattie linking up to form a highly formidable back row.
For Biarritz, former Bath winger Iain Balshaw has been named on the wing, with Dane Haylett-Petty being handed the fullback start.
Both of these sides have enjoyed mixed starts in their domestic competitions this year, viewing today as a great opportunity to boost overall morale.
