Roberts believes Bath are still in hunt for the title
JAMIE Roberts demands Bath up their game a notch to pull the plug on Leicester and boost their topfour chances.
With the Premiership tightly bunched, an opportunity exists for a mid-table team to seize control and launch a concerted title bid.
Roberts believes Bath are capable, telling TRP: “We had a much-needed win at Wasps last week and it was a really solid defensive performance, so it’s the same this week against a side looking for its best form.
“They’ve got threats across the park like George Ford, Manu Tuilagi and Matt Toomua, guys who we’ve got to cut out. But we want to go up a notch from what we did at Wasps and see in the New Year with another good result.
“When you look at the difference between fourth and ourselves, two good wins can get you into that top four and the exciting thing is that if we can put ourselves thereabouts, we’ve got a great shout to win the Premiership.”
Roberts continues a midfield axis with Max Wright that proved too hot for Wasps to handle last weekend, while the only change to their starting XV sees Matt Garvey return for Dave Attwood to co-captain the side from lock.
With Jonathan Joseph still to return after injury, Roberts says of centre partner Wright: “He’s really impressed me. He’s still 21, but he’s come through the academy having played England age grade stuff.
“He’s keen to learn and has a huge amount of growth in his game. I enjoyed playing with him last week and he’s learning very quickly, it’s great to be able to help lads like him take steps forward.”
Last summoned by Wales against New Zealand in 2017, Roberts has not yet given up hope of adding to his 94 caps and making it to a third World Cup.
He added: “I’ve always said I want to play for Wales again and it’s something that motivates me every day. But the only way back into that squad is through playing well for Bath and just trying to kick down that door selection-wise.
“You can’t overthink these things, I’ll just knuckle down and try to put in performances here – and if I’m involved, fantastic.”
Leicester arrive at the Rec after a morale-boosting win over Harlequins, but with injury problems, as Will Spencer (knee) and Guy Thomson (broken hand) miss out.
Graham Kitchener and Brendon O’Connor replace them at lock and back row respectively, while the only other change sees Jake Kerr start at hooker.
Flanker Mike Fitzgerald told TRP: “The win over Quins was a long time coming and everyone’s pretty stoked now Geordan Murphy’s been appointed as head coach.
“He’s a coach you really want to play for and we need to get behind him now and string a few more good wins under our belt – starting at Bath.”