Stamina-sapping contest expected
In terms of physical exertion, Exeter Chiefs are top of the tree for Henry Thomas. They’re the master grinders; a team who have reached the last three Premiership finals and have five wins out of five this season as they look for a third win in a row at the Rec. Teams know how the Devonians play, but thwarting them is a difficult prospect. Looking ahead to Friday night’s derby (7.45pm), tighthead Thomas said: “It’s physically the hardest game of the season, I find. “They’re very structured with their wide-to-wide [backs] play, but they’re also very tight and welldrilled up front with a good maul, a good scrum and obviously a good pick and go game. “It’s a bit of everything really. It’s a new year, a new season and they’re going pretty well, but I feel that when this challenge comes to us we’ll step up and do pretty well.” Thomas is a builder. When he is fit and able to put together a run of games his form rises and often peaks with an England squad or training call-up. Unfortunately for Thomas, that momentum has been punctured by some serious injuries in the last couple of years. “I’m pleased with where I am,” said the 26-year-old of his current form. “I’ve got some areas to improve on. I spoke to [England scrum coach] Neal Hatley in the week. “I want to be pushing for that England spot all the time. That’s done by playing well, consistently, for your club. “That’s stage one, then looking at what they’re looking for.” One of the qualities on the England wishlist, Thomas says, is “acceleration”. England want their forwards to be explosive as they carry the ball, make tackles and hit breakdowns. “That’s where they feel the big differences are between playing high-level Premiership Rugby and playing those big Test matches,” he said. As well as his playing role Thomas has a key role, along with self-confessed scrum geek Nathan Catt, in working with forwards coach Toby Booth on making Bath’s scrum better. “We’ve been putting a structured system in place,” he said. “I think it’s paid dividends, but with the scrum it’s all about consistency. “Being great one week and not great the next week doesn’t show signs of a strong pack. “You’ve got to be consistently dominant. That’s where we want to be and that’s where we have been probably three, four, five years ago. “If the scrum is going well it gives you more confidence and energy around the park.”