Thomas: We plan to dominate Scarlets

Blueprints are being drawn for the redevelopment of Bath’s Recreation Ground. But there are no plans to change the atmosphere, which will play a big part tonight when Todd Blackadder’s side try to edge closer to the Champions Cup quarterfinals against the Scarlets, the Pro14 champions.

The importance of joining the elite of European club rugby is certainly not lost on tighthead prop Henry Thomas. The 26-year-old grew up in Bath and has fond memories of attending the Rec during the club’s European heyday, when they won the Heineken Cup in 1998. The young fan’s rugby ambitions were ignited when he ran out with the side as a mascot in 1999.

Fast-forward 19 years and Thomas will pack down this evening as part of an exciting front row with England Six Nations contenders Beno Obano at loosehead and hooker Tom Dunn.

Thomas is mindful of the differences between how Premiership and Pro14 clubs play but believes that he and his colleagues can put pressure on the Scarlets’ front row of Ken Owens, Samson Lee and Rob Evans, all Wales internationals.

“The way we play in the two leagues is slightly different, it is probably more free-flowing rugby played in the Pro14 but, in the end, they will play to their strengths because they have got some very quick, elusive backs and powerful forwards. We want to take it to them up front and really tire their tight five out and have a crack at them around the pitch.

“Their team is full of world-class players and they have been playing really well. We’ve seen before how they can throw it about and what dangerous backs they have got. But recently they have been keeping it tighter with guys like Samson Lee and Rob Evans, quality operators for Wales and for Scarlets.

“There is a big amount of depth at Bath. As a front row, we want to start dominating teams in the Premiership and in Europe. If we win against Scarlets, we can look towards the following week against Treviso and then qualifying.”