Preview: Premiership Final

 

Bath have won their last seven consecutive games, and made light work of Leicester in their home semifinal to give them a shot at their first title since 1996.

 

Saracens gained revenge for their defeat in the final last year by beating Northampton at Franklin's Gardens last week, and have a chance to make amends against a team they have beaten nine out of the last ten times they have met.

 

Both teams had less territory than their opponents in their semifinals, which sets up an intriguing tactical battle at Twickenham this weekend.

 

David Wilson insists Bath's time is now as they bid to mark their renaissance with the Premiership crown.

 

Bath have undergone a major transformation with Mike Ford at the helm over the past two years, narrowly missing out on last season's play-offs before falling to Northampton Saints in the Challenge Cup final.

 

And their response to those near misses has been emphatic – securing a home Premiership semifinal this time around before putting Leicester Tigers to the sword in a brilliant display of counter-attacking rugby.

 

Standing in their way at Twickenham on Saturday are Saracens, who have their own scores to settle at Rugby HQ after that last-gasp defeat to the Saints a year ago.

 

Whereas Sarries are used to competing on the biggest stages of them all – they also reached the European Cup Final last year – Wilson admits Bath's squad are a little wet behind the ears.

 

But the England prop is adamant that his side can keep their heads this weekend and produce the beguiling rugby that has won them so many admirers.

 

"It's my first major final so it's going to be incredible to walk out there and take it all in," said Wilson. "To be honest the fact that most of our squad haven't played in a major final might make a difference.

 

"It's easy to get caught up in the moment, suddenly realise you're in a big game and choke.

 

"But I think our squad has taken a lot from the experience of playing a European final against Northampton Saints last year.

 

"We're in a far more comfortable position as a squad now and I really feel we are in a better place than we have ever been before.

 

"Saracens have been part of a lot of big games so they know what needs to be done. It's a real 50/50 game that looks like it's going to be won and lost on territory.

 

"If we hold firm and keep them out of our 22 it could go our way but there's so many things that need to go our way.

 

"In a big final like this one a missed tackle or a failed pass can end up deciding the result.

 

"So we need to play our own game, not get overwhelmed by the occasion and hope we get that bit of luck on the day."

 

Wilson himself has timed his return from a neck injury impeccably, having started Bath's last three games.

 

However, the 30-year-old is aware that Leicester matched them at scrum-time on Saturday – despite the result – and admits there must be an improved performance at Twickenham.

 

"It was a brilliant result, you never know what's going to happen in a semifinal like that so it was unbelievable to get the win," Wilson added.

 

"We didn't make many trips into their 22 but our backs did well and we managed to keep them out.

 

"We did give away a few too many penalties early on which put pressure on ourselves in the beginning but credit to us we made the most of our opportunities to get the win.

 

"I think I'm getting there slowly. It took a few games to get back into it but at the weekend I felt I was back at my best in terms of getting round the park.

 

"The scrum didn't go as well as we'd hoped so we need to improve on that for the final but we're just massively excited to be there."

 

 

For Bath: Flyhalf George ford has been something of a revelation this season, and in Kyle Eastmond and Jonathan Joseph he has two exciting centres outside him. In the loose trio there is Springbok openside Francois Louw and Rugby League convert Sam Burgess who will do the fetching and carrying while in the set-pieces lock Dave Attwood and prop David Wilson will be key.

 

For Saracens: Outside backs Alex Goode and Chris Wyles will do damage if given too much space, Brad Barritt will tackle anything in his way and flyhalf Owen Farrell will look to control the game with his boot. Billy Vunipola will be a threat from the base of the scrum, Jacques Burger will tackle anything that moves and up front Al Hargreaves and Mako Vunipola will be the leaders.

 

Head to head: The flyhalf battle stands out as a duel for the England No.10 jersey. Francois Louw and Jacques Burger are both workhorses that will keep going for their sides and in the front row it will be an interesting tussle between Mako Vunipola and David Wilson at scrum-time.

2015: Saracens won 34-24 at Allianz Park

2014: Bath won 21-11 at Recreation Ground

2014: Sracens won 23-10 at Recreation Ground

2013: Saracens won 31-17 at Allianz Park

2013: Saracens won 23-14 at Allianz Park

2012: Saracens won 22-0 at Recreation Ground

2012: Saracens won 26-19 at Allianz Park

2011: Saracens won 28-26 at Recreation Ground

 

Prediction: Saracens have scrapped to get here and have suffered in big play-offs of late, so they will be hungry. However, Bath are the ones having the dream season and have some serious momentum so they should win by about five points.

 

 

 

Date: Saturday, May 30

Venue: Twickenham, London

Kick-off: 14.30; 14.30 GMT

Expected weather: High of 19, no rain, wind of 20 kmh

Referee: Wayne Barnes

Assistant referees: JP Doyle, Greg Garner

TMO: Graham Hughes