Vesty: I'll take over from James
Bath fly half Sam Vesty says he will dominate the number ten role while Butch James is out of the side with injury.
James has been ruled out of at least the first two months of the season, which gives Vesty a chance to make the fly half position his own. Vesty has started the season well after joining Bath from Leicester
in the summer.
However, the pressure is now on Vesty to do well as he's the only fit fly half in the club. If the former Leicester man picks up an injury it will mean another player at Bath who has to play out of position.
Vesty is a quality and experienced player that should do very well at number ten while James isn't in the side. It's up to the player to give the coach a real headache when James does return to full fitness.
Quality and experience
Vesty has been part of a title winning side at Leicester. This shows he knows what it takes to play rugby at the very highest level of the domestic game. He is able to cope with the fast pace of Bath's
play.
His kicking is solid and reliable. He kicked Bath to victory during the club's season opener against Leeds scoring 17 points and is battling with Olly Barkley to have this role permanently.
Vesty's experience will be crucial over the course of a long season. The 28-year-old will be vital in helping younger players come into the team. He will also be important in raising the spirits of the
side after a 33-10 defeat away to Northampton.
He said: "It takes a long time for players to gel and work out each other's little traits. The way you learn about all this is by playing with them on the pitch and the most helpful thing is talking. Steve
[Meehan] said I would get some games and it's working out really well at the moment."
Bad headaches
Vesty's main job is to play so well that it gives head coach Steve Meehan a headache when James returns to full fitness. The injured South African is a very powerful player but Vesty has the odds stacked
in his favour at the moment.
Meehan will have to make a very difficult decision over whether James comes back into the side immediately or is forced to work his way back in. The only person who can make this decision easier is Vesty.
He added: "On the pitch http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/topics/person/ollybarkleyOlly Barkley has a great voice which is always helpful, whether it's attack or defence. And playing with Michael Claassens at nine helps too. I'm surrounded by good players. There are four or five stronger teams this season and I think it's pretty obvious
who they're going to be. Northampton and Bath are two of them."
Betting advice
Bath will be in the top four by the end of the season. Northampton showed Bath still has a bit of work to do but the South West side will be one of the teams in the title play-offs by spring time next
year.
Vesty is a great player to track and back this season. His kicking means he will always score points in any game he plays. Back him to be top scorer in any match and for the club by the end of the season.
Keep a close eye on James' progress in the rehabilitation room. What he says and does during his recovery will be a strong indication over whether Bath will throw him straight back into the team.
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