Rhodes welcomes back heavy brigade
WITH their England contingent back and showing no ill-effects from last week’s Grand Slam defeat in Ireland, back rower Michael Rhodes reckons Saracens are ready to inflict a backlash on Bath following December’s 14-11 loss at the Rec.
Star men Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje, Jamie George,
below, and Vunipola brothers Mako and Billy will all feature as Sarries ramp-up their assault on a second successive ‘double’. Rhodes told The Rugby
Paper: “There are some make or break games coming up and we’re really looking forward to taking on Bath.
“Our England boys were missing down at their place so it will be good to play them with everyone back.
“They’ve all come back positive. They were obviously disappointed at not breaking the Test win record but the flipside is they’re the champions of Europe again and they’ve injected a lot of energy and freshness back into the group.
“They showed after the 2015 World Cup that they could put disappointment behind them by winning the double and they’re ready to put it on the line again for us.
“They don’t pick and choose, which is a great quality to have.”
Rhodes added: “Bath will be raring to go and they’ve obviously got some quality players back as well. “I know Francois Louw quite well so it will be good to play against him, and whoever wins the forward battle and set-piece will dictate.” Unsung former Lions and Stormers man Rhodes, 29, recently signed a new contract after impressing last season following his switch from Super Rugby.
He said: “By whatever good fortune, I arrived the year that we won the double and I played a lot of rugby.
“It was a great move and it’s just progressed from there really so I’m very happy to have extended my stay at Saracens until at least 2019.
“I’ve fitted into English rugby really well. It’s a different style because Super Rugby tends to be more unstructured, but it’s a super-physical, confrontational game that I enjoy and the set-piece involvement plays to my strengths.”
Rhodes rarely receives plaudits but is one of the first names on Sarries’ teamsheet.
He added: “It’s not a surprise for me. I work hard to get into that position and one of the great things at Saracens is there are always guys nipping at my heels.
“That competition drives me and when I get selected to start I’m really happy.
“There are a lot of big names in a team like this but you want to be at your peak and playing with and against the best.
“Versatility helps and while I’m primarily a No.6, if they need me in the second row I can make that transition as well.”