Francois Louw demands strong finish from Bath

25 March 2017 01:08

Francois Louw wants Bath to keep control of their Aviva Premiership play-off destiny entering the regular season's final five-game stretch.

Bath visit fellow play-off contenders Saracens on Sunday, having not beaten their opponents away from home in Premiership action since 2010.

Further games await next month against Leicester, Worcester and Gloucester, before Bath visit Sale Sharks on May 6 for game that could decide whether or not they finish in the top four.

"We started the season really strongly and put ourselves in a comfortable position, but we've veered off a bit since then," Bath flanker Louw said.

"It's in our hands for the last five games to get that play-off spot. It's something we really want, and it's something we are aiming for.

"It is going to be a big match (against Saracens), considering both sides get all their internationals back. That is going to raise the tempo that much more."

Saracens full-back Alex Goode makes his first appearance since early January after recovering from an ankle injury, while England contingent Owen Farrell, Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Maro Itoje and Billy Vunipola also start. Flanker Schalk Burger, though, is sidelined by a calf muscle injury.

England trio Anthony Watson, Jonathan Joseph and George Ford all start for Bath at Allianz Park, while Louw makes his 100th first-team appearance and there are also places in the starting XV for Wales forwards Luke Charteris and Taulupe Faletau.

League leaders Wasps continue their Premiership campaign at home to 11th-placed Worcester on Sunday, knowing that a bonus point victory and results working for them elsewhere might be enough to confirm a play-off place four games inside the distance.

Wasps rugby director Dai Young said: "Going into the last part of the season, we are in a good place where we know that one or two wins will secure us a semi-final place.

"But there are still a lot of points to be won and lost, and we have to make sure we maintain our performances and keep picking up points.

"This weekend is a massive game for us.

"We know that Worcester are going to be scrapping for their lives as they battle it out with Bristol, which is never a good time to be playing those sides, and we will have to produce a good performance if we want the win.

"We've seen already how good Worcester can be in their wins against Saracens and Harlequins this year.

"I am sure they will pick up some results between now and the end of the season, and we have to make sure we're not one of the teams they do that against on Sunday."

Flanker James Haskell returns from England duty to line up for Wasps against the Warriors, but his Test colleagues Elliot Daly, Joe Launchbury, Nathan Hughes and Tommy Taylor are all rested. Hooker Ashley Johnson captains a team that also features starts for Kurtley Beale, Willie Le Roux and Danny Cipriani.

And Worcester rugby director Gary Gold has retained the side that comfortably accounted for Bristol last time out. Former Ireland lock Donncha O'Callaghan leads the Warriors, who will again look to the outstanding current form of South African scrum-half Francoius Hougaard to drive their victory bid.

Source: PA