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Bath in race against time to learn new defensive system

(Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

England scrumhalf Ben Spencer admits new Bath defence coach Brent Janse van Rensburg is facing a race against time to sort out the second worst defence in the Premiership.

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Winless Bath are home to Gloucester Boxing Day a debilitating 10 points adrift at the bottom of the league having conceded 38 tries with just Worcester’s 50 a worse total. Warriors also have the worst negative points difference with Bath next in line on minus 136 to highlight the massive job van Rensburg is facing in a role he has been handed until the end of the season.

The new defence coach has so far only had two sessions to work with the injury hit Bath squad following his arrival from South Africa and the team now faces a Gloucester attack that can call upon Jonny May and Louis Rees-Zammit, two of the fastest wings in world rugby.

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      Spencer, who is back after an eight-week injury lay off, insists news of Johann van Graan coming in as the new head coach next season plus Edward Griffiths taking over as chairman has not adversely affected preparations for the Gloucester match. He said: “Brendt has come in this week and shown us a little bit of a new direction in defence which is a bit to learn and hopefully that adds value to our game and shores up our defence. One win can change your mind set about everything.

      “Gloucester are a quality outfit and their attack has looked pretty good and so we have to be bang on the money. It may take a little time to get used to Brendt’s ideas and we have to be fully committed and buy into what he is saying and if we do that it will get better.

      “All those announcements are exciting for the club but we have spoken about trying to control what we can and that is performances at the weekend. I don’t think I am alone in experiencing a run like this and everyone is desperate to turn things around.

      “It has been tough coming off against Sale after 15 mins which was pretty disappointing and then tough to watch the boys for eights and I just hope to get a run of games. Some of the games we have been fairly unlucky like Sale and Bristol but then if we look at ourselves we didn’t put in the performances to deserve the wins in a few of the other games. Hopefully, the wins start coming post-Christmas.”

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      RedWarrior 4 hours ago
      The reason given by Steve Borthwick for latest England setback

      So England are allowed to have a tsunami whinge fest about the ref but if an Irish fan points out that some decisions hurt Ireland also they are being petulant.

      Honestly some English supporters are all politeness until they lose then the claws and fangs come out.

      Ok here we go, not complaints just pointing out where England got away with roul play:

      1: M Smiths headbutt on James Lowe that started the fracas with Stewart. If the ref spots that in time then thats a second yellow if not a straight red for Smith. Probably worth another 14 points with England gassed so a 41-10 final scoreline?

      2: Itoje's several stamps on Hansens instep in a clear attempt to damage metatarsals. Straight red or if he is lucky, 10 in the bin.

      3. Currys block on Baird to create a gap that Smith used to break the line. Penalty and possession for Ireland deep in England 22 with score at 0:0.

      4: The correct decision for the Cunningham South dangerous tackle was a yellow. Lowe blew it by confronting him. The ref didn't give South or Lowe a yellow. The ref couldn't give Lowe a yellow anyway as the TMO would have informed him that m Smith alone started the previosu fracas and its not unreasonable for a player to react to being headbutted.


      One last thing missing from English analysis

      How is coming over to Dublin acting like you own the place, committing filthy cowardly off the ball cheap shots working out for you? I mean you clearly dont care that we think your team are a crowd of a$$holes but...... rugby wise, how is riling the Irish team to focus and get the best out of themselves against such unpleasant opposition working for you on the scoreboard?


      Food for thought old boy!!!!

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