Anglo-Welsh 2018 Final Preview

This afternoon marks the first contest for top flight silverware of the domestic season as Bath take on the Exeter Chiefs in the Anglo-Welsh Cup. The anticipated clash has already been added extra spice followings its postponement due to the infamous ‘Beast from the East’ and the fact that the two sides met last week in the league. The game, which will be played at Kingsholm will feature two sides with very different histories. Bath will be chasing a well overdue return to their golden years of the 90s whilst the Devonians are enjoying the form of their lives. So, who wins when old meets new? I take a look at a few of the key battlegrounds and statistics that could shape the game’s outcome.

THE 10s

The battle at fly-half will surely shape the game’s outcome and its hard to get a more enticing duel in this competition than Freddie Burns against Joe Simmonds. Burns led Leicester to victory last season as he helped mastermind the Tigers win against the Chiefs and has continued his love for this competition sitting atop the points scorer’s table. His ability to conjure both the jaw-droppingly brilliant as well as measured consistency when needed could well be a winning formula for Bath in what could be a tight game. Burns’ opposite number is no push over though, Joe Simmonds has barely put a foot wrong and has excelled for Rob Baxter’s men whenever called upon. There’s been little sign of him being happy to bask in the shadow of his brother, Sam’s newfound success. Joe took the man of the match plaudits when he started the crunch Premiership game against Saracens showcasing both his attacking and defensive capabilities. The 21-year-old then followed this up with more match winning performances, first helping his side beat Newcastle in the Anglo-Welsh semi final and then more poetically kicking the winning penalty as Exeter beat Bath last Friday. Once again, its old meets new.

COMPETITION FORM

This is a competition that holds a special place for both sides, Bath are the most successful side in its history winning ten trophies the most recent in 1996. The Chiefs’ have built a domestic dominance off the back of this tournament and have featured in four successive finals. This season though Bath have not lost, winning all five of their games on route to the final. Their opponents on the day have won four, a solitary loss to Worcester scuppering their hopes of a perfect form book. The performances have been very different though, Bath despite five wins have only won by a combined total of 36 points, an average winning margin of 7.2 which has often left them needing to come from behind. Only once have they topped 30 points. The Chiefs points difference showcases them as a much more attacking team. Even with a defeat they’ve amassed a positive net total of 71 points, putting 40 up on three occasions. Past results hint that if Bath can keep it tight they can win, their most recent match in the campaign against Northampton a perfect example of grinding out a dogged win. Get into a shootout with the free-scoring Chiefs though and its sure to end badly.

THE OLD HEADS

Traditionally this competition is advertised as a chance to showcase a side’s young talent and help shape them into Premiership worthy stars. With silverware so hard to get your hands on though, coaches, especially on the English side of the border use it for all manner of reasons. Its used as a chance to rebuild dwindling form, to ease injured players back to full fitness and to give the older club stalwarts a run out. This year’s final will be a very special one for Exeter legend Kai Horstmann who could lift the trophy on his 100^th appearance. His leadership combined with the international quality and presence of players like Cordero and Devoto are essential if Exeter are to taste victory. In the other changing room Bath aren’t short of players with experience or even ones playing in the knowledge that it could be a last chance saloon situation. Matt Banahan has racked up a mountain of caps in blue, black and white and expect his voice to be heard loud and clear alongside the likes of influential Samoan scrum half Fotuali’i. There are plenty of youngsters on both sides, particularly on the benches but if the game remains tight and changes are made expect the experience and leadership of the old heads to be critical.

Henry Justice