Smith wary of Saints tactics

Bath are aiming to build on the 30-9 home victory over Saracens a fortnight ago which lifted them off the bottom of the Zurich Premiership table and boosted their hopes of beating the drop when they take on Northampton.

But they know that the high-flying Saints, who visit The Rec tomorrow, will prove a much more formidable proposition than a Saracens side who seem unable to win on the road.

Despite the disruption caused by international call-ups, co-coach Brian Smith insisted: “There has been no problem with motivation. The challenge for us is to maintain the momentum during a disruptive couple of weeks.”

The return of England veteran Mike Catt from injury to partner Clive Woodward’s current choice Mike Tindall in the centre gives Bath what Smith believes is the strongest midfield they can put out.

Meanwhile Samoan international Elvis Seveali’i is likely to make his first start after scoring a sensational try against Saracens with his first touch of the ball in English rugby after replacing Simon Danielli, who has failed to recover from a shoulder injury.

One concern for Smith is the way, he claims, Northampton take out defenders at set plays to create room for their England scrum-half Matt Dawson.

“Northampton are a very good side and Wayne Smith is a very good coach although sometimes it could be said he coaches around the laws,” Smith told Bath’s official club website.

He claimed: “The savvy tactic they adopted against London Irish in the Powergen Cup was only spotted by the referee halfway through the game and by then it was too late. Hopefully referees and opposition will be more aware of it now.”

But that does not take away from Smith’s admiration for Northampton and he added: I don’t think we have played a better side this season.

“They have some outstanding players – Dawson is probably the best scrum-half in the world and their back three of Bruce Reihana, Ben Cohen and Nick Beal is just about the best there is.

“Their pack is also enormously strong so we know we have to put a big game in.”

Northampton will rest Scotland prop Tom Smith who has played 22 of their 26 games this season as well as every Test for his country. His place will be taken by 20-year-old academy apprentice Brett Sturgess.

Wales lock Steve Williams will also be rested and England hooker Steve Thompson starts on the bench.

“We felt that Smith, Williams and Thompson needed a break. This is the right time,” said Wayne Smith.

Leeds Tykes, who finished bottom of the table last season but escaped relegation when Rotherham failed to meet the criteria for promotion, now have their sights set on finishing high enough to play in Europe’s top competition next season.

Scrum-half Alan Dickens, who was recruited from Sale and hopes to retain the number nine shirt for tomorrow’s visit to his former club after starting the last three matches, said: “We said at Christmas our aim was to get in the top three and win a Heineken Cup place and we can still do that.”

Sale coach Jim Mallinder, who has lost Charlie Hodgson for at least six months after the young star ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in England’s victory over Italy at Twickenham on Sunday, has named a 22-strong squad.

“I have not yet decided who will take Charlie’s place at fly-half and will leave my decision until the day of the game,” he said.

With only five points separating the bottom six clubs, all four of Sunday’s matches could have a big bearing on the relegation battle.

Bottom club Newcastle entertain champions Leicester and London Irish – level with them on 26 points – are at home to notorious bad travellers Harlequins.

Saracens entertain London rivals Wasps and Bristol, whose future is under threat if a backer cannot be found when Malcolm Pearce pulls out at the end of the season, face a tough West Country derby at home to leaders Gloucester.