Leicester Tigers vs Bath Rugby
Tom Harrington’s prediction: (Midlands Reporter)
“Both Tigers and Bath start the season with victories, Bath more convincingly. Leicester will need to be physical than they were in Exeter, needing more moments like Freddie Steward on Chiefs centre Joe Hawkins. However Tigers have a great record against Bath home and away but i predict Bath to maul the Tigers this weekend.”
Sam Jess’ prediction: (Bath Rugby Reporter)
Leicester vs Bath is always one of the games of the season, and this Sunday should be no different. After a winning start to life last week for Micheal Cheika in the Premiership, now for his first home game at Welford Road, which should give the Tigers that extra edge, but can they use it?
Bath were one of the favourites for the title heading into the start of the new season, and after last week’s dominant victory of Northampton, it looks like they were right to be called that. The form books say Bath should win, Ben Spencer and Finn Russell look even better as a partnership, while their pack is full of options. However, Welford Road is not a happy hunting ground for the blue-black and white, with just two league wins there since the turn of the decade.
Leicester under Cheika are an unknown quantity, but expect them to show more attacking life than anything they put together, especially with new signing Izaia Perese looking for offloads left, right and centre. However, despite it being Cheika’s Welford Road homecoming and Bath’s poor record at the Tigers, I think Johann van Graan’s side will come away with a victory in a closely fought-contest. Leicester 16- 24 Bath Rugby