Rugby: Bath look to add gloss to great transformation

BATH will aim to march on Twickenham later this month after completing arguably the most remarkable transformation in Guinness Premiership history.

Victory over reigning league champions and play-off opponents Leicester at Welford Road today would leave them one win away from claiming a first league title since 1996.

But as recently as last Christmas, they were riddled with relegation fears, standing just three points above basement club Leeds Carnegie.

Leeds subsequently survived, sending Worcester into the Championship, while Bath claimed 49 points from their next 12 games and secured fourth spot ahead of more fancied sides like Wasps and London Irish.

They now return to the scene of their solitary league loss since early December, and a painful 43-20 defeat at that when Leicester shredded them in bonus-point fashion.

Bath head coach Steve Meehan though, senses matters might be a little different this time around.

"We were not anywhere near our potential the last time we faced Leicester." he said. "There is a very different feeling this time, though. There is a lot more positivity and you can really feel it."

Bath welcome back four forwards – David Flatman, David Wilson, Danny Grewcock and Luke Watson – who all missed the mauling by Tigers six weeks ago. They also possess two of English rugby's form backs in centre Olly Barkley and full-back Nick Abendanon, but Bath know that Leicester rarely lose on home soil.

Northampton rugby director Jim Mallinder is braced for "a massive game" when fierce rivals Northampton and Saracens clash in this afternoon's other play-off at Franklin's Gardens. A place in the Premiership final is available, and neither club has previously been part of English domestic rugby's showpiece occasion.

"A Premiership semi-final is a massive game no matter who you are playing," said Mallinder.