Boost for Bath as England prospect ruled fit for Harlequins clash

Bath back-row Alfie Barbeary has provided a boost to his club when he was declared fit ahead of their clash with Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop on Saturday.

The England ‘A’ star was forced off the field with a hamstring complaint at half-time in Bath’s 42-24 victory over Sale Sharks at the Recreation Ground last week.

However, Bath‘s head of rugby Johann van Graan revealed that there are no major concerns over the 23-year-old‘s fitness.

Good news

“It was precautionary and the good news is that Alfie is available for selection this weekend. If he comes through training then he will be available,” Van Graan said.

“Looking back, we reviewed our decision-making process at half-time and that was very sound.

“There was good communication from our medical team who made a good call. As a coach you’ve got to make those calls.”

Brian O’Driscoll’s bold assessment of ‘big differentiator’ Finn Russell

Van Graan is set to make alterations for the Harlequins clash as he rests players who participated in the Six Nations and revealed that he would continue to make changes to his side each week ahead of the Premiership play-offs.

There are just five rounds of matches left ahead off the knockout stages and Bath, who are in second position in the table, are keen to add to fifth-placed Harlequins’ misery after they suffered a humiliating 52-7 loss against Saracens in Round 13.

“Our battle with them just before Christmas was a big one, bit of a ding dong,” Van Graan said.

“And the game last season at Twickenham was a fantastic game of rugby, it was 45-35. Both teams will play positively and look to score tries.

“Looking around the Premiership last weekend, all teams played positively and are looking to score tries.

Improvement in Bath’s game

“We’ll have to do a lot of things right to keep Harlequins contained but we’ve also improved our game.

“This Premiership will go down to the last round and there’s all to play for. The stakes in very game are now very high.”

READ MORE: ‘We’ve won nothing yet’ – Johann van Graan calls for calm heads in Bath camp