European Champions Cup: Can Injury-Hit Bath Stop Bordeaux-Begles Going Back-to-Back?

by Devesh Jaganath

image European Champions Cup: Can Injury-Hit Bath Stop Bordeaux-Begles Going Back-to-Back?
Only four teams are left standing in the European Champions Cup, and this weekend brings us two blockbuster semi-finals. Kicking off the action is Lenister taking on Toulon on Saturday in Dublin, before defending champions Bordeaux-Begles lock horns with Bath Rugby at the Stade Atlantique on Sunday.
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Bath Short at Scrum-Half Ahead of Bordeaux Challenge

While the semi-finals of the European Champions Cup are intended to be played at neutral venues, it will feel anything but that for Bath Rugby when they arrive at Stade Atlantique to face Bordeaux-Begles on Sunday afternoon. Check out our Champions Cup predictions ahead of kickoff.

Indeed, located less than 10km away from their home at Stade Chaban-Delmas, the Begles have regularly used Stade Atlantique as their home ground, and there is no doubt that the French outfit will have the lion’s share of supporters in attendance this weekend. 

Adding to the task at hand for Bath is the fact that they have been hit hard with injuries lately, particularly at scrum-half, where first-choice number nine Ben Spencer is “touch and go” for their first elite European semi-final owing to a shoulder injury. 

Back-up scrum-half Bernard van der Linde has undergone ankle surgery after lasting just 10 minutes in his first Gallagher Premiership start against Northampton Saints last weekend, meaning Tom Carr-Smith is the only fit senior specialist for the English champions. 

As a result, Johan van Graaf may be forced to call up 18-year-old prospect Isaac Mears for his first-team debut on Sunday. The son of former England international Lee Mears has been playing for the University of Bath’s student side and only signed his first professional contract earlier this month.  

Van Graan To Adopt Tactic From Springboks Playbook? 

While Mears undoubtedly has some pedigree and the backing of Van Graan that he will be able to make the step-up to the senior side, there is a possibility that the Bath head coach could opt for a tactic out of the Springboks’ playbook during the 2023 Rugby World Cup. 

Against the All Blacks in the final that year, Rassie Erasmus opted for the now-famous 7-1 split on his bench, leaving no replacement for Boks number-nine Faf de Klerk. However, it was a move that ultimately paid off with South Africa going on to win the trophy. Van Graan alluded to this tactic in his interview, saying:

“If you go back to the World Cup final back in 2023, one team decided to go without a nine, so there's many different things that we could do. There's always two choices you can make with injuries – you can feel sorry for yourself or you can make a plan. And this group is exceptional at making plans.”

It is worth noting, though, Bath are not only facing injury setbacks at scrum-half, as winger Joe Cokanasinga is nursing an issue with his leg, and the centre duo of Max Omojah and Cameron Redpath are both listed as doubts as they continue working their way back to full fitness.