 |  |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  | |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |  |
|  |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  | |  |
Bath Rugby have it all to do if they are to progress through to the semi-finals of the PARKER PEN CHALLENGE CUP after a slender 27-24 defeat at the hands of an abrasive but effective Montauban side at the Stade Sapiac on in the first leg of theri quarter-final.
It was a thrilling match in France, with both teams playing some entertaining, expansive rugby.
With his side needing to win the return leg by at least three points, Bath Rugby co-coach Mike Foley says that he is expecting a similarly difficult encounter at the Rec on Saturday against a side that have already proven in the competition that they can win away from home.
"They are an entertaining side and will look to attack us from all areas of the field and it will be a huge challenge for us to roll them at the Rec," Foley said.
"Certainly the Borders found that when they came away from Montauban with a three-point deficit and then lost at home."
Foley was impressed by the Montauban side.
"We did not know all that much about Montauban prior to the first match, but having played against them once, I feel that their position in the French league does not justify their talent as a side.
"They have an enormous pack and are great in the tight - especially in their scrummaging and driving around the field. Their backline has a number of key players with both half backs being very dangerous, kicking out of hand and also passing. Their outside centre is also very dangerous."
Foley was impressed with the support his side received out in France on a bitterly cold evening in Montauban and hopes they will produce a performance in the return leg to thank the fans for their vocal efforts.
"The effort that the supporters made to get on a bus and travel for 15 hours was absolutely huge," he said.
"It was probably one of the reasons why we came away from a match like that kicking ourselves that we did not win because we did not do ourselves or our fantastic support any justice, but we will definitely be working very hard to address that this weekend."
With England veteran Mike Catt poised to make a comeback, and rugged backrower Dan Lyle back in action, Bath Rugby may well be able to select from a fully fit squad for the first time this season.
