13 Nov at Recreation Ground KO 12.30
Bath Rugby
Matt Perry returns to the fold as Bath Rugby face Zurich Premiership leaders Sale Sharks at the Recreation Ground tomorrow (12.30pm).
The 27-year-old full back, who is still England’s most-capped player in his chosen position, has spent the past ten weeks with London rehabilitation specialist Mike Antoniades working on his fitness, core strength, back and hamstrings after suffering yet another injury set back earlier in the season.
During an eight-week spell with Antoniades, Matt spent three hours a day working on his core strength and improving flexibility. He even spent a vast amount of time running backwards in an attempt to strengthen the hamstrings that have been so problematic over recent years. The process was a success, Matt has shed a considerable amount of body fat, he has toned up, strengthened his core and is even able for the first time in three years to train properly.
“There was a point not so long ago where I could not even warm-up properly before training or matches because my motor-neurone system was not functioning properly and I was in a lot of pain,” said Matt. “I was in such a state that caused the problems with the hamstrings, glutes and groin, but I am happy to say that now everything is working perfectly.”
Matt is also keen to point out that unlike previous comebacks, he is feeling better than he has ever done before. “It is great to be back. I have had a few false dawns in the past year or two, but in terms of the way that I am running and training, I am so much better now,” he said. “The club has supported me well and they just want to see me right as I do. I want to be out there playing again. Yes, it has only been ten weeks but no stone has been left unturned in terms of my recovery and rehabilitation. I really do feel like a new me.”
With Danny Grewcock, Steve Borthwick and Mike Tindall away on international duty and Andy Higgins (jaw) and Andy Beattie (calf) having picked up injuries last weekend, Head Coach John Connolly has been forced to make several changes to the side that defeated Saracens 37-30 in a thrilling match at Franklin’s Gardens. Lock James Hudson and blindside James Scaysbrook make their first starts of the season, whilst Rob Fidler, Matt Perry and Brendon Daniel all return to the starting line-up. On the bench Wales international Geraint Lewis is involved for the first time this season.
Props Duncan Bell and Christian Loader have allayed injury fears and will take their places in the side for the 10,500 sell-out Zurich Premiership match.
Sale have been hit hard by international call-ups, but John Connolly is still extremely wary of the challenge that they present. “Sale are a very good side indeed and deserve their place at the top of the table,” said Connolly. “They have been hit hard but then so have we due to call-ups and a long injury list. They still have plenty of strength in depth and possess a great pack and a strong lineout. On of their strengths is an exceptional rolling maul from the lineout and we will have to be wary of this.”
BATH RUGBY V SALE SHARKS
THE REC
SAT 13TH NOV
12.30PM
15 MATT PERRY
14 BRENDON DANIEL
13 ALEX CROCKETT
12 OLLY BARKLEY
11 FRIKKIE WELSH
10 CHRIS MALONE
9 MARTYN WOOD
1 DAVID BARNES
2 JONATHAN HUMPREYS (capt)
3 DUNCAN BELL
4 JAMES HUDSON
5 ROB FIDLER
6 JAMES SCAYSBROOK
7 MICHAEL LIPMAN
8 ISAAC FEAUNATI
16 LEE MEARS
17 CHRISTIAN LOADER
18 DAN SMITH
19 GERAINT LEWIS
20 JOE MADDOCK
21 NICK WALSHE
22 SPENCER DAVEY
Sale Sharks
Sale sharks' Director of Rugby Philippe Saint Andre has named his starting line up for the Zurich Premiership Round Nine Fixture against Bath at The Recreation Ground on Saturday, 13th November (12.30 p.m.):
Robert Todd; Chris Mayor, Jos Baxendell (capt.), Chris Rhys Jones, James Moore; Mike Hercus, Sililo Martens; Stuart Turner, Johnny Roddam, Barry Stewart, Christian Day, Dean Schofield, Chris Jones, Magnus Lund, Sebastien Chabal. Replacements from: Martin Halsall, Sebastien Bozzi, Pierre Caillet, John Carter, Bryan Redpath, Byron Hayward, Josh Taumalolo and Richard Wigglesworth.
Philippe says, "With seven Internationals away, and two players unavailable, I have signed Sebastien Bozzi and Byron Hayward as short term cover. We have had a good start to the season, and we will travel to Bath and give it our best shot. It won't be easy, though, as Bath are a good side."
Summary of meetings between the teams in the Premiership
Played 14
Bath Won 9 64.3%
Sale Sharks Won5 35.7%
Drawn 0 0%
Biggest Win for Bath 36 - 6 15 Apr 2000
Biggest Win for Sale Sharks 36 - 18 29 Nov 2002
Bath top try scorer vs Sale Sharks Jerry Guscott 2 tries
Bath top points scorer vs Sale Sharks Jon Preston 65 points
Sale Sharks top try scorer vs Bath Steve Hanley 5 tries
Sale Sharks top points scorer vs Bath Nicky Little 41 points
Previous Premiership Meetings
03 Apr 2004 ZP Bath vs Sale Sharks 16 - 12 Recreation Ground
26 Sep 2003 ZP Bath vs Sale Sharks 14 - 9 Edgeley Park
29 Nov 2002 ZP Bath vs Sale Sharks 18 - 36 Heywood Road
10 Nov 2002 ZP Bath vs Sale Sharks 24 - 18 Recreation Ground
23 Feb 2002 ZP Bath vs Sale Sharks 14 - 20 Heywood Road
13 Oct 2001 ZP Bath vs Sale Sharks 20 - 17 Recreation Ground
19 Nov 2000 ZP Bath vs Sale Sharks 34 - 32 Recreation Ground
19 Aug 2000 ZP Bath vs Sale Sharks 32 - 33 Heywood Road
15 Apr 2000 ZP Bath vs Sale Sharks 36 - 6 Recreation Ground
02 Oct 1999 ZP Bath vs Sale Sharks 22 - 28 Heywood Road
Bath have picked up just five league points from their three previous home matches in the Zurich Premiership this season after losses to Newcastle and Wasps and a victory over Gloucester.
The Sharks have still only suffered one defeat in any competition this season – 16-17 at home to London Irish on 8 October, whilst their last Premiership defeat away from home came at Saracens on 2 May.
Bath did the double over Sale in the Premiership last season – winning 14-9 at Edgeley Park in September, and 16-12 at the Rec in April. Bath have won their last six matches with the Sharks at the Rec with the last Sale victory at the ground being 29-19 way back in April 1998.
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