Speculation that Stephen Donald will be leaving Bath for a return to New Zealand has been dismissed by the West Country club. Bath admit to having held a “frank conversation” with the Kiwi after a series of disappointing performances.
Donald was dropped for Bath’s trip to Sale last Friday after a particularly poor performance against Saints two weeks ago and this led to rumours that he would be leaving the club after less than a year at the Rec. Donald himself has been disappointed with his recent form and has requested a chance to play for Bath’s second string, Bath United, on Monday evening. Donald will find himself lining up against Somerset County Senior XV. The contrast with where Donald was Six months ago is massive. From a World Cup Final against France to a Monday night run out for Bath United against Somerset County.
Donald arrived at Bath after the World Cup in November. He had been named as standby fly half for the All Blacks in their campaign but after a string of injuries to fly halfs throughout the tournament he was called up and made his lone performance of the tournament as a replacement in the final. He impressed throughout the final and eventually kicked the winning penalty to secure the All Blacks their second World Cup triumph.
Donald began his Bath career in impressive fashion with a top quality performance against Montpellier but then struggled to find any consistency before a serious knee injury ruled him out for two months. He returned against Northampton two weeks ago but was clearly lacking form and fitness.
Donald’s absence against Sale was not expected and was understood to surprise even the Sale coaches. Bath’s fortunes did not improve in Donald’s absence and they were handed a defeat at the hands of Sale to more or less end their hopes of Heineken Cup qualification.
When Bruce Craig bought Bath Rugby using the money from the sale of his company Marken for a whopping £ 975 million from Andrew Brownsword almost two years back now, he and most of the fans as well could be forgiven for thinking that 2012 would be the year that the club really hit the big time and won a few trophies but things hasn’t turned out according to plan and that has left both the fans and the owner extremely frustrated. The chairman might also have thought that if he needed to address the fans at the end of the season, it would be to only promise a legacy of trophies for years to come.
But things have not exactly gone according to the plans and with the announcement that the team will appoint a new Director of Rugby after deciding not to renew the contract of the current manager Sir Ian McGeechan when it runs out at the end of the season, Bath Rugby find themselves in the crossroads and the direction that they choose from here is going to be crucial for the next few years.
Craig wrote an open letter, addressed to the fans of the club admitting that the season has been extremely disappointing and frustrating and the clubs form has been patchy at best and in most matches, it has underperformed. He also added that it was extremely hurtful to be in the position that they are now considering their glorious history and went to say that the overall performance have not been up to the mark. He accepted the fact that the team could and should have done a whole lot better that they have.
It is now worth seeing if Craig goes out and splashes the cash to buy new players like Chris Ashton for Bath Rugby.
Bath are treating this weekend’s encounter with Worcester as another West country derby according to Sir Ian McGeechan. Recent clashes against Gloucester and Exeter have brought the best out of Bath and they, and Worcester, now seem safe from relegation. Victory in this game though will see either side pull further away from the relegation and surely all but confirm their place in the Premiership for next season.
Bath go into the game having learned “a few hard lessons” from when the two sides last met. November’s clash at Worcester saw the home side run out 16-7 victors. It was one of the worst stages of Bath’s overall disappointing season. They have recovered since then though and Saturday’s clash will give them a chance to prove they have improved.
Last week saw an impressive victory for Worcester against champions Saracens and along with Bath’s victory over Exeter last week a match-up between two on form sides has been ensured.
McGeechan does not look back with much fondness on the defeat to Worcester. He saw his side throw away the game and then go on to allow a late Worcester score to ensure there was no bonus point for Bath. McGeechan admits that on the occasion “mentally we weren’t there” and that “Quite rightly, on the night Worcester beat us”. He says his side have learnt since then though and is hoping Saturday will prove to be the chance to show just how far they have come.
Worcester have not won away from home in the league since New Year’s day and have never completed a league double over Bath. They will be looking to change both of those stats and many will feel that Bath’s inconsistency this season provides them with a great chance to run out winners.
Both side have been incredibly inconsistent this season and this side could really go either way. Both sides seemingly assured they maintained their Premiership survival for another year last weekend. This week the pressure is seemingly off, but both sides will no doubt still give everything to secure victory.
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May 10, 2012 11:03 am | 
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