Selection headaches await Bath coaches after rousing display

​The coaches at Bath Rugby admit their side’s six-try demolition of Sale Sharks will present them with a host of selection headaches for next weekend’s return to Guinness Premiership action.

Scrum-half Scott Bemand, wing Michael Stephenson, stand-in captain Stuart Hooper and Ryan Davis – playing at inside centre – all excelled today, prospering on the impetus that the return of fly-half Butch James brought to the side.

Inspired by James’ blend of smart kicking and impeccable distribution, Bath demolished Sale 40-7, running in four first-half tries.

Assistant coach Brad Davis said: “Butch pulled the strings really well but it’s too simple to just say that one guy coming back is the reason why we looked so fluent.

“Our setpiece was strong, we were quick to the breakdown and able to deliver the quick ball that Butch thrives on.

“His combination with Ryan Davis in particular unleashed our backs out wide. Ryan looked a lot more comfortable with Butch inside him.

“We varied our focus in attack really well. We hit them wide, we hit them narrow, we scored two great tries from kicks and a try from a lineout drive. They couldn’t really pinpoint where we were going to attack and it worked very well.

“Butch had 14 guys around him who were prepared to offer themselves in attack. That was the reason we looked to fluent.”

Praising backs and forwards in equal measure, Davis added: “Stuart Hooper led the team fantastically. He seemed to grow in stature and the captaincy seemed to sit well with him. He’s a leader even when he isn’t the captain. Today he commanded the field and the lineout in particular.

“Michael Stephenson took his three tries very well and I thought it was Scott Bemand’s best game in Bath colours.

“You can go through the team and I don’t think you could pick a player in Bath colours who had a bad game today. From 1 to 23 it was a really good performance and one we can take a lot of confidence from.

“The selection meeting next week is going to be very tasty. I’m looking forward to it.”

But the skills and defence coach is aware that playing London Irish away next Sunday will be a very different proposition to taking on a youthful Sale side in a dead rubber Anglo-Welsh Cup match.

“It was a really complete performance today,” he said. “We’re under no illusions that next week’s match is going to be massive and we’re going to have to raise our game.

“This is a building block to where we need to go in the Guinness Premiership. We’re not going to get carried away.”