Borthwick braced for battle against ‘big spending’ Bath
STEVE Borthwick remains confident his Covid-tormented Tigers can defy the odds and the virus and get the New Year off to a flying start by beating “big spenders” Bath.
The head coach is absent from Welford Road again today when Leicester attempt to put a torrid 2020 behind them and aim to start climbing the Premiership ladder.
Borthwick is still isolating along with other members of his playing and coaching staff and will watch the game on TV from his home “with the commentary off as normal”.
That may be a shrewd choice with ex-Tiger and big critic Austin Healey summarising on BT Sport’s coverage.
Despite just a couple of days training once more prior to matchday due to the Covid problems at the club, Borthwick is optimistic for the visit of his old Bath side.
The former England lock, who resumes training duties on Tuesday in the build up to Northampton, says: “For many reasons we know it will be a huge challenge against one of the biggest spenders in the league but the guys will be fully ready and are certainly looking forward to it.
“Games between Tigers and Bath have traditionally been special and this will be no different. Bath will also be disappointed at the way they have started the season given that level of investment they have had. I’m sure (owner) Bruce Craig would have high expectations for his team going into the campaign and will still have.
“Look at their squad and the amount of money spent on it over the years.
They have more recent acquisitions like Ben Spencer who is a European Cup winner and also Cameron Redpath who they beat off other clubs to spend a lot more money to bring him in.
“That is the power Bath have in terms of spending, and then you add onto that what they have invested in their training ground.”
Tigers’ spirits lifted on the field with two Challenge Cup wins before positive Covid player tests forced them to forfeit their Boxing Day visit to Newcastle Falcons.
Like last season, they find themselves nearer the bottom than the top with just one win from their four Premiership games.
England pair George Ford and Ben Youngs return for Tigers and Borthwick, insists: “I don’t see this fixture as a a defining moment of our season. We’re making progress and won back-to-back games in Europe. It was the first time in seven years Leicester had won in France. That’s a statement of the decline of the club.”