Saturday 10 August 2013

Who will lead the Blue, Black and White army into battle?

Not sure if you're aware yet but the start of the Aviva Premiership is almost upon us! It's been kept quite low key with very little build up.

The jigsaw for Bath Rugby is so nearly complete for the impending season.
New signing's- check, list of fixtures- check, new kit- check, club captain- still on the to-do list.
So who will be this season man to guide the storming band of men in Blue, Black and White onto the battlefield this season?

This season I feel Bath actually have an abundance of players that can take that role, a first time for many seasons. After two unlucky seasons for Stuart Hooper, injuries certainly plaguing his tenure, will Gary Gold will select a new General?

With this question in mind I thought I'd throw it out on Twitter to see who the fans would elect as the club captain, armed with a few suggestions I awaited their views. Suggestions of François Louw, Matt Banahan, Nick Abendanon, Stuart Hooper, Rob Webber or any other suggested players.

The Bath faithful as always were happy to voice their options and reasonings behind their selections. From the list came two big forerunners and one suggestion I'd not put in my original line up. Between the three supporters captain elect came in the form of Webber, Louw and Attwood. Three players who had phenomenal seasons for Bath and always played with 100%, but what are their credentials for becoming the captain to lead Bath?

Dave Attwood after two strong seasons at Bath he's enjoying a resurgence in form which has seen him enjoy a recall to the England squad, a solid tour of Argentina has seen Stuart Lancaster select him for the EPS for the autumn internationals. A regular starter now for Bath and a player who plays with such intensity, passion and skill could he be the chosen one?

François Louw an absolute class player, no world class player! Picked for the Bok's for the upcoming rugby championship many consider him as the best at his position in the world at this time. So solid and dependable for Bath and also captained them on many occasion, leading by example on the pitch and now with his 'long term" contract extension is more proof to the commitment of the club his has. A firm fans favourite Louw is a strong candidate for the appointment.

Rob Webber signed for Bath with a shoulder injury the Bath supporters were desperate to see him don the Bath shirt and show us what he was made off, and when he did there was no disappointment. The second half if the season saw him become a dominant force in the Bath pack. Having already captained Wasps and now England stands him in strong stead for the captaincy, and with a omission (not sure why) from the England set up Webber has a lot more availability to concentrate on Bath.

The point of international absentees for Louw and Attwood have been raised as issues for their potential role as captain, and for Attwood the question of is he ready to hold the leaders job.
There is the possibility of an international call up for Webber should he continue in his current form and an injury for the current hooker's in the England set up.

My personal choice for the job is with Webber, Louw is for many but I just feel Webber edges him.
No matter who your choice is it's refreshing for Gary Gold to have such a wide choice.

We now have to wait to see if Gold has the same opinion as you and slots in the remaining piece of the jigsaw.

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