Preview: Premiership, Round 13
The West Country side won for the first time in 2016 last weekend against Worcester 16-146 at Sixways, coming from 3-14 down and snapping a six game losing streak in the process.
Their frustrating season has come as a great surprise to many as they set the league alight last time round before losing out to Saracens in the Final.
Louw believes it is still possible for his side to reach the top four again this year, but the experienced flank isn't playing down the task that lies ahead.
"We are in a very weak position at the moment, but there are a lot of games left to get a top four spot and that's our target," Louw said.
"We will have to win pretty much all of our remaining games so it's a huge ask.
"If I knew why it's different from last year we wouldn't be sitting where we are. Things haven't been going our way. We've come unstuck in tight games and made a habit of losing games we shouldn't.
"We're trying to stick to the same plan as last year, to come together and play the Bath way.
"Everyone knows our brand of rugby, it's so exciting but it just hasn't been clicking."
A number of first teamers are away on international duty during the Six Nations, including the likes of George Ford, Jonathan Joseph and Anthony Watson.
However, the players who remain at the club pulled together to close the game out against Worcester on Saturday, with scrum-half Jonathan Evans coming up with the winning try in the second half.
The 43-cap Springbok was impressed with the resilience the players showed against Worcester and underlined the importance of the win.
"It was great to get a win under our belt. Obviously our objective is to win every game but unfortunately it hasn't worked out that way this season," Louw said.
"The victory against Worcester was exactly we needed, albeit it wasn't the most attractive or prettiest of wins.
"It's vital that when our top guys are away on international duty people like Jonathan come in and do a job and he did well to score his try on Saturday.
"You need your fringe and academy players to step up so it's fantastic when they put their hands up for selection."
We look at all the Round 13 action!
Friday, February 19
Harlequins v Leicester Tigers
(Twickenham Stoop – Kick-off: 19.45; 19.45 GMT)
Harlequins have slipped to four straight defeats in all competitions since their 34-26 victory against Cardiff Blues at Twickenham Stoop in the European Challenge Cup on January 17.
One of those defeats was in their most recent encounter at Twickenham Stoop against Northampton, a venue where they have not lost successive matches in Premiership since September 2013.
Leicester Tigers' only victory in their last four encounters was by a single point at Gloucester on January 30.
This remains their only victory on the road in any competition since they beat Munster in their own backyard in the European Champions Cup in December.
Leicester were victorious 22-19 when the two clubs met at Welford Road in round 2 and have not achieved a season's double over the Londoners since 2010/11.
Tigers have lost on their last four visits to Twickenham Stoop in all tournaments since their 43-33 win there in Premiership in April
2012.
The teams:
Harlequins: 15 Ross Chisholm, 14 Marland Yarde, 13 Winston Stanley, 12 Harry Sloan, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Ben Botica, 9 Tito Tebaldi, 8 Nick Easter, 7 Luke Wallace, 6 Mat Luamanu, 5 Charlie Matthews, 4 James Horwill (captain), 3 Adam Jones, 2 Dave Ward, 1 Mark Lambert.
Replacements: 16 Rob Buchanan, 17 Owen Evans, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 George Merrick, 20 James Chisholm, 21 Sam Egerton, 22 Tim Swiel, 23 Matt Hopper.
Leicester: 15 Mathew Tait, 14 Peter Betham, 13 Matt Smith, 12 Manu Tuilagi, 11 Telusa Veainu, 10 Freddie Burns, 9 Sam Harrison, 8 Laurence Pearce, 7 Brendon O'Connor, 6 Tom Croft, 5 Mike Fitzgerald, 4 Ed Slater (captain), 3 Fraser Balmain, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1 Marcos Ayerza.
Replacements: 16 Harry Thacker, 17 Riccardo Brugnara, 18 Logovi'i Mulipola, 19 Graham Kitchener, 20 Jordan Crane, 21 Jono Kitto, 22 Oliver Bryant, 23 Jean de Villiers.
Referee: JP Doyle
Assistant referees: Roy Maybank and Wayne Falla
TMO: Sean Davey
Saturday, February 20
Saracens v Gloucester
(Allianz Park – Kick-off: 15.00; 15.00 GMT)
Saracens conceded 64 points at home to Wasps on Sunday and have only once before conceded more in a game in the professional era – whilst losing 21-66 at Bath in Premiership in May 2008.
Saracens have never lost successive matches at Allianz Park.
Gloucester have won their last two Premiership encounters, against Bath and Harlequins, and have not won three in a row in the tournament since October 2012.
Gloucester's only defeat in their last five away games in all tournaments was 10-19 at Exeter in Premiership on January 9.
Saracens have lost just one of their last five contests with the Cherry and Whites: 23-24 at Kingsholm on 9th January 2015, whilst Gloucester's most recent victory on Saracens' turf was 25-21 at Vicarage Road in November 2008.
Teams:
Saracens: 15 Ben Ransom, 14 Mike Ellery, 13 Duncan Taylor, 12 Brad Barritt (captain), 11 Chris Wyles, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Richard Wigglesworth, 8 Jackson Wray, 7 Will Fraser, 6 Michael Rhodes, 5 Jim Hamilton, 4 Hayden Smith, 3 Petrus Du Plessis, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Rhys Gill.
Replacements: 16 Jared Saunders, 17 Titi Lamositele, 18 Juan Figallo, 19 Jacques Burger, 20 Kelly Brown, 21 Ben Spencer, 22 Nils Mordt, 23 Marcelo Bosch.
Gloucester: 15 Billy Burns, 14 Charlie Sharples, 13 Billy Twelvetrees (captain), 12 Mark Atkinson, 11 Steve McColl, 10 James Hook, 9 Callum Braley, 8 Sione Kalamafoni, 7 Matt Kvesic, 6 Ross Moriarty, 5 Mariano Galarza, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 John Afoa, 2 Richard Hibbard, 1 Nick Wood.
Replacements: 16 Tom Lindsay, 17 Dan Murphy, 18 Paul Doran-Jones, 19 Tom Savage, 20 Jacob Rowan, 21 Willi Heinz, 22 Henry Trinder, 23 Rob Cook.
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
Assistant referees: Robin Goodliffe and Andrew Pearce
TMO: Rowan Kitt
Worcester Warriors v Sale Sharks
(Sixways – Kick-off: 15.00; 15.00 GMT)
Worcester Warriors only two victories in Premiership this season were at home to Northampton in round 1 and at home to Newcastle in Round Four, they have, however, picked up four losing bonus points in their last six encounters.
Sale Sharks have won their last six matches in all competitions – their best run since 2006/07.
Sale's only defeat in their last four away games in all tournaments was 17-33 at Exeter on Boxing Day.
Sharks have not conceded a single try in an away game in 2016.
Sale have won their last seven fixtures against Warriors in all tournaments since Worcester's 23-16 victory at Sixways in October 2012.
Teams:
Worcester Warriors: 15 Chris Pennell, 14 Bryce Heem, 13 Wynand Olivier, 12 Ryan Mills, 11 Cooper Vuna, 10 Tom Heathcote, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Gerrit-Jan van Velze (captain), 7 Carl Kirwan, 6 Dewald Potgieter, 5 Darren Barry, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 Nick Schonert, 2 Jaba Bregvadze, 1 Val Rapava Ruskin.
Replacements: 16 Niall Annett, 17 Na'ama Leleimalefaga, 18 James Johnston, 19 Dan Sanderson, 20 Phil Dowson , 21 Luke Baldwin, 22 Ryan Lamb, 23 Andy Symons.
Sale Sharks: 15 Mike Haley, 14 Tom Arscott, 13 Sam James, 12 Sam Tuitupou, 11 Nev Edwards, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Peter Stringer, 8 Josh Beaumont (captain), 7 David Seymour, 6 Cameron Neild, 5 Jonathan Mills, 4 Bryn Evans, 3 Vadim Cobilas, 2 Tommy Taylor, 1 Ross Harrison.
Replacements: 16 Neil Briggs, 17 Eifion Lewis Roberts, 18 Brian Mujati, 19 Magnus Lund, 20 Mark Easter, 21 Chris Cusiter, 22 Joe Ford, 23 Mark Jennings.
Referee: Greg Garner
Assistant referees: Simon McConnell and Jonathan Healy
TMO: David Grashoff/David Rose
Bath v Wasps
(Recreation Ground – Kick-off: 15.15; 15.15 GMT)
Bath's six game losing run in all tournaments ended with their 16-14 win at Worcester in Premiership on Saturday. Bath's only victory at the Recreation Ground in any tournament since November was 21-14 in Premiership over Worcester on 27th December.
Wasps are the best team in Premiership on current form having gained 19 league points from their last six encounters. Wasps have won their last four games in the competition and have not won five in a row since season 2012/13.
The two clubs have already met on three occasions this season with Wasps victorious in the Premiership meeting at Ricoh Arena in October and then each side winning its respective away game when the two met in the back-to-back Rounds Three and Four clashes in the European Champions Cup in December. Wasps have not won at the Recreation Ground in Premiership since 2010.
Teams:
Bath: 15 Tom Homer, 14 Semesa Rokoduguni, 13 Matt Banahan, 12 Ollie Devoto, 11 Horacio Agulla, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Chris Cook, 8 Amanaki Mafi, 7 Francois Louw (captain), 6 Leroy Houston, 5 Dominic Day, 4 Charlie Ewels, 3 David Wilson, 2 Rob Webber, 1 Max Lahiff.
Replacements: 16 Ross Batty, 17 Beno Obano, 18 Henry Thomas, 19 Matt Garvey, 20 Guy Mercer, 21 Jonathan Evans, 22 Jeff Williams, 23 Max Clark.
Wasps: 15 Charles Piutau, 14 Christian Wade, 13 Elliot Daly, 12 Siale Piutau, 11 Frank Halai, 10 Ruaridh Jackson, 9 Dan Robson, 8 Nathan Hughes, 7 George Smith (captain), 6 Thomas Young, 5 Kearnan Myall, 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Jake Cooper-Woolley, 2 Ashley Johnson, 1 Simon McIntyre.
Replacements: 16 Carlo Festuccia, 17 Tom Birstow, 18 Lorenzo Cittadini, 19 James Cannon, 20 Alex Rieder, 21 Jamie Stevenson, 22 Jimmy Gopperth, 23 Rob Miller.
Referee: Tom Foley
Assistant referees: Greg MacDonald and Nigel Carrick
TMO: Graham Hughes
Sunday, February 21
London Irish v Exeter Chiefs
(Madejski Stadium – Kick-off: 15.00; 15.00 GMT)
London Irish's three victories in Premiership this season have all come in the last six rounds, and all at Madejski Stadium against Northampton, Newcastle and Worcester.
The Exiles last recorded a bonus point of any kind in Premiership in round 22 last season during a 40-all draw with Wasps.
Exeter Chiefs remain in second place in the Premiership table despite losing three of their last five matches in the competition.
The Chiefs only win on the road in their last five matches in all tournaments was 30-15 at Worcester in Round 10 of Premiership.
The Chiefs only reversal in their last eight encounters with London Irish was 26-28 at Madejski Stadium in this equivalent fixture last January.
Teams:
London Irish: 15 Andrew Fenby, 14 Topsy Ojo, 13 Fergus Mulchrone, 12 Johnny Williams, 11 Ciaran Hearn, 10 Theo Brophy Clews, 9 Scott Steele, 8 Rob McCusker, 7 Luke Narraway (captain), 6 Ofisa Treviranus, 5 Elliott Stooke, 4 Matt Symons, 3 Halani Aulika, 2 David Paice, 1 Tom Smallbone.
Replacements: 16 Gerard Ellis, 17 Tom Court, 18 Leo Halavatau, 19 Ian Nagle, 20 Joe Trayfoot, 21 Darren Allinson, 22 Shane Geraghty, 23 Christian Lewis-Pratt.
Exeter Chiefs: 15 Phil Dollman, 14 Olly Woodbury, 13 Ian Whitten, 12 Sam Hill, 11 James Short, 10 Gareth Steenson, 9 Will Chudley, 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 Julian Salvi, 6 Don Armand, 5 Geoff Parling, 4 Jonny Hill, 3 Moray Low, 2 Jack Yeandle (captain), 1 Ben Moon.
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Tomas Francis, 19 Ollie Atkins, 20 Kai Horstmann, 21 Dave Lewis, 22 Will Hooley, 23 Michele Campagnaro.
Referee: Dean Richards
Assistant referees: Paul Burton and Paul Dix
TMO: Trevor Fisher
Newcastle Falcons v Northampton Saints
(Kingston Park – Kick-off: 15.00; 15.00)
Newcastle Falcons last six matches in Premiership have all been won by the home side on the day, whilst the Tynesiders only defeat at Kingston Park in their last seven outings in all competitions was to Saracens in Premiership on sixth December.
Northampton Saints have lost just one of their last five first-team fixtures: 11-24 at home to Wasps in Premiership on 29th January.
Saints have won their last two away games, at Scarlets and Harlequins, and have not won three in a row on their travels since December 2014.
Northampton have won their last dozen fixtures with Newcastle in all competitions since the Falcons 19-13 victory at Franklin's Gardens in Premiership in February 2009, whilst Falcons' most recent win against the Saints at Kingston Park was in September 2008.
Teams:
Newcastle Falcons: 15 Simon Hammersley, 14 Alex Tait, 13 Chris Harris, 12 Adam Powell, 11 Marcus Watson, 10 Andy Goode, 9 Michael Young, 8 Ally Hogg, 7 Will Welch (captain), 6 Mark Wilson, 4 Mouritz Botha, 3 Taione Vea, 2. Scott Lawson, 1. Rob Vickers.
Replacements: 16 George McGuigan, 17 Alex Rogers, 18 Kensuke Hatakeyama, 19 Josh Furno, 20 Nili Latu, 21 Sonatane Takulua, 22 Craig Willis, 23 Juan Socino.
Northampton Saints: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Jamie Elliott, 13 Luther Burrell, 12 Harry Mallinder, 11 James Wilson, 10 Stephen Myler, 9 Lee Dickson,(captain) 8 Sam Dickinson, 7 Tom Wood, 6 Jamie Gibson, 5 Christian Day, 4 James Craig, 3 Kieran Brookes, 2 Mikey Haywood, 1 Alex Waller.
Replacements: 16 Reece Marshall, 17 Ethan Waller, 18 Gareth Denman, 19 Victor Matfield, 20 Teimana Harrison, 21 Tom Kessell, 22 JJ Hanrahan, 23 George Pisi.
Referee: Wayne Barnes
Assistant referees: Luke Pearce and Andy Watson
TMO: David Sainsbury
Source: @premrugby
