Bomb Squads are becoming more and more prevalent in the modern Test game, but in the club game, Bath are the side perfecting it.
Since the arrival of head of rugby Johann van Graan in 2022, Bath have regularly deployed a 6:2 split, and at times have even turned to a 7:1 option, but it has been thrown under a spotlight in their previous two outings against Gloucester and Exeter with all six forwards being thrown on at the same time – similar to how both South Africa and France use their replacements at Test level.
This also seems to be catching on around the Premiership, with Gloucester trying to meet fire with fire last weekend, however, nobody has got the formula quite as right as Bath have when it comes to the deployment of the famed Bomb Squad.
The Blue, Black and White’s are spoiled for choice when it comes to their replacements, though. On Saturday alone, England internationals Beno Obano, Tom Dunn, Will Stuart and Ted Hill were named on the bench alongside in-form forwards Ross Molony and Alfie Barbeary, while Springbok front-rower Thomas du Toit and England ace Sam Underhill – to name just two – have also found themselves on the bench at various times throughout the season.
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But, despite the riches of talent at their disposal, it still takes an almighty effort to come on and turn a game around or help close out a tough win, and the genius behind it all feels this comes from learning what works for them.
“I’d like to say yes (there is a formula),” Van Graan told Planet Rugby. “We as a group have learned what works for us (with the Bomb Squad), but every team does it differently; some other teams have used it against us in different ways.
“There is some science behind it, and sometimes it’s a gut-feel, but I think it’s important that the players get clarity on what you as the coach want,” he continued. “If you look at our performances, their impacts usually pull us through most of the time.
“Yes, there is a science, but we just want to get that better and better each time.”
“For us, that’s not an issue”
One thing that can get thrown at a 6:2 split is the potential backline reshuffle it can cause should injuries occur. That was again the case on Saturday, with Bath losing Will Muir and Max Ojomoh in the second-half and having to end the game with scrum-half Louis Schreuder on the wing and back-rower Miles Reid shifted into midfield at various points as well.
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This isn’t the first time Van Graan’s side have used a forward in their backline either, with Scotland international Josh Bayliss being used as a makeshift winger at various points over the past two seasons.
But, boss Van Graan doesn’t see this as an issue at all and instead feels it’s a testament to his squad’s mentality of slotting in where needed.
“I wouldn’t say that’s a danger, some teams have gone 7:1; for us, that’s not an issue,” he said. “We’ve played with Josh Bayliss on the wing, and numerous times we’ve played with a nine on the wing.
“That’s just part and parcel of the game, I wouldn’t say that’s a danger for us. We’ve gone 6:2 95% of the time, so we know what we’re going to get. Sometimes it goes well for you and sometimes it doesn’t.
“I thought Louis Schreuder played well on the wing (on Saturday) and Ted Hill was magnificent in the air too. From a squad performance point of view, guys just slotted in where they needed to.”
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/bath-boss-reveals-science-behind-bomb-squad-tactic-after-latest-premiership-triumph
