BATH coach Steve Meehan has warned that the growing reputation of Geoff Cross has made the up-and-coming prop a marked man in tonight's friendly with Edinburgh Rugby in the English west country.
"I did hear Edinburgh have a young prop with a good (side) step on him," said Meehan in a reference to how Cross ran 40 yards to score a try in last week's 22-15 win over London Wasps, swerving round full back Mark van Gisbergen at the end of his cha
rge.
Asked what special tactics, if any, his side would employ to prevent a repeat, Aussie Meehan said: "Our plans are not to give him (Cross) any opportunities."
Meehan is predicting a fast-flowing game while hinting that Edinburgh listing 30 players to Bath's players could be a factor. "Edinburgh seem to have brought a couple of teams down with them (30 players have travelled] so I expect them to stay relatively fresh whereas we will draw on a pool of 24 and expect a fair amount of activity of the bench around the hour mark."
On the threat to his side's hopes of a third-straight pre-season win after defeating Ulster and Llanelli, Meehan said: "I heard Edinburgh had a good win last week and expect them to want to try and move the ball around."
Out injured from the Bath ranks tonight will be England second row Danny Grewcock and Scots-qualified stand off Robbie Kydd, who has helped compile the unbeaten pre-season record.
"Robbie is a very skilful player but unfortunately he has some deep bruising on his leg," said Meehan.
The full article contains 281 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
