Barkley hoping that Leinster slip in Bath

Barry Coughlan

The England international believes home advantage is important in a competition where few away sides tend to win come the knock-out stages.

“I read a statistic that showed that 91% of sides who have home quarter-finals win their matches,” he said.

“It is bloody hard to win away from home in the Heineken Cup and we certainly want a home draw.

“You don’t want to be travelling away to Toulouse.”

Barkley reverted to fly-half for the trip to Bourgoin last Friday and will be starting in the pivotal position again on Sunday.

His vision and decision-making was key in a resounding victory against the French side, and he admits that he enjoyed the experience.

“The last time I played there was in the Powergen Cup, so it’s been a while,” he said.

“I did feel a little rusty, but have played the majority of my rugby in that position. Chris Malone has played very well at No 10 this season and I hope that I can match that.”

Leinster arrive at the Rec knowing that only a win will keep their slim chances of a quarter-final place alive and Barkley says that will make the Irish side a very dangerous prospect.

“They will probably take a few more adventurous decisions due to the situation with the quarter-finals.

“We will have to be very aware of that. The first 10 or so minutes will set the tone, but they will be very physical at the breakdown, and will want to run things out wide.

“They practically have the complete Ireland back line and Brian O’Driscoll’s return will give them a lift. He too will be looking for a good performance ahead of the Six Nations.”

Whilst coach Brian Ashton admits that he is “baffled” by Bath’s seeming inability to translate stunning Heineken form into the Premiership, Barkley says there is no reason why the turnaround cannot happen.

“We have played some good stuff in the Heineken Cup and there is no reason why that can’t translate into the Premiership.

“I don’t go into a Premiership match thinking ‘we are at the bottom of the table, so I am going to have to play conservatively’.”

Conservative is not a word usually associated with Ashton and Barkley believes he will be a big hit at the Recreation Ground.

“I like the way that Brian coaches and I like him as a bloke,” he said.