Bath prop David Barnes is aware of Biarritz danger men
Bath’s David Barnes has suggested that Imanol Harinordoquy and Dimitri Yachvili will be the main threats as they prepare for their Heineken Cup match against Biarritz on Sunday.
Bath take on Biarritz at home and the two sides have not met since the 2006 Heineken Cup semi-final, which Biarritz won 18-9.
The Bath prop said to the BBC: "Hardinoqay at number eight will be a dangerous running threat and Yachvili is one of the world's best number
nines.”
"He [Yachvili] gets them on the front foot so he is someone we need to mark," added Barnes.
Barnes played in the last match between the two teams in 2006 and said he was looking forward to getting revenge.
“It was down in San Sebastian and there was a carnival atmosphere. It was a great experience to savour as a player.”
"That was a game we were extremely close to winning. I think [Bath winger] Salesi Finau dropped the ball over the line.”
“But this is European cup rugby and if you make mistakes then you expect to be punished,” added the 34-year-old.
The Bath prop knows that Biarritz are one of the favourites for the tournament and that they have one of the best packs in club rugby.
"As a player you have some opportunities to play against the best and this is very much one of them."
"Biarritz are a top side and finalists last year so to bring them here to the Rec for the opening match is something we all savour,” added the prop.
Barnes also highlighted the need for the Bath defence to play on the edge of the offside line and close down the likes of Yachvili. He further argued that Biarritz's main strength was in their well-structured
game, but that the side would fall apart and couldn't adapt very well. That suggests he wants Bath to play aggressively and not give Biarritz time to impose their own game.
"So it's up to us when we're defending to make sure we're controlling the ball and not giving their key players time on the ball," he added.
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