Laurie Fisher urges Gloucester to treasure the ball in derby against Bath

30 September 2016 02:09

Laurie Fisher has urged Gloucester to "treasure the ball" in Saturday's Aviva Premiership west country derby against Bath at Kingsholm.

Gloucester have claimed just one league win so far this season, but a draw against Worcester and bonus points collected in all four of their games mean they are only narrowly outside the Premiership's top half.

The odds do not favour them this weekend, though, with Bath having triumphed on their last four Kingsholm visits and lost only one from the last seven Premiership encounters against Gloucester.

"I think fundamentally that the shape of our game is sound," Gloucester head coach Fisher said.

"But, if you look at last weekend (against Newcastle), we need to convert A-zone opportunities into points. That's been one of the big work-ons for us this week.

"We've got to treasure the ball a little bit more, I think we were a little bit loose last week.

"The statistics would show that in the three games where we've been above our target for acceptable turnovers, we've either lost or drawn. The one game where we were under our target figure, we won.

"So, it's a reasonably clear picture that we've got to be more careful with the ball.

"I think we probably need to change the structure of our game when we get into the attacking 22 to consolidate possession, ramp up our physicality and find different ways of getting the ball over the line.

"We don't need to gee up the boys for the Bath game - we don't need to gee them for any game - but certainly, the Bath derby is massive in everybody's mindset, whether you are a Gloucester supporter or a Gloucester player."

Sale Sharks boss Steve Diamond has described Leicester as "the Manchester United of Aviva Premiership rugby" prior to Saturday's meeting between the clubs at the AJ Bell Stadium.

Sale beat Leicester twice in the league last term, and victory this weekend would make it three successive victories at Tigers' expense for the first time in 40 years.

But Diamond said: "Leicester are the Manchester United of Aviva Premiership rugby and have a great squad of players who are well coached by Richard Cockerill and Aaron Mauger.

"They are a great side and a great club. They are always there or thereabouts at the top of the table.

"The lads know what is required of them for the game. Games between us are usually very entertaining, full-blooded encounters, and I expect the same will be served up on Saturday.

"Our 34-34 draw last week against Worcester typified our inconsistent start to the season - some great moments in attack and some howlers in defence. The staff and players have been working hard to attain the high performance levels we are accustomed to."

Leicester delivered their best display of the season in comfortably defeating Bath last time out, but Tigers number eight Lachlan McCaffrey has no doubt where victory foundations will need to be built again on Saturday.

"The main thing is the forwards have to front up, and if we do our job with the set-piece and our carries, then the backs can play some exciting football," he said.

"I didn't get to play up there (at the AJ Bell Stadium) last year, but I did at home, and we lost home and away, which we were really disappointed with.

"They are a very good team. The forecast is looking quite wet, so it's going to be a physical battle up front. We have to make sure we prepare things right."

Sunday's action sees Wasps - the only club with a 100 per cent Premiership record this term after collecting 18 points from a possible 20 - hosting Harlequins, while winless Worcester entertain Newcastle.

Source: PA