Bath know only victory will do against Toulouse
January 12, 2000

Winning not scoring tries will be the priority for Bath in their make-or-break Heineken Cup mission against Toulouse on Saturday.

The 1998 European champions gave themselves a quarter-final lifeline with tonight's vital 20-9 Pool 2 victory over Welsh Cup holders Swansea.

It means that if Bath can topple Toulouse on their own territory, then they could reach the last eight as one of two best group runners up.

But even if they win, a place in the knockout stages cannot be guaranteed, with try count set to decide the issue.

"We will go to Toulouse looking to win the match, that must be our first and foremost target," Robinson said.

"If we can defend, and make the big tackles, then we will have a chance. We will also need to show discipline, both in defence and attack," Robinson said.

"It will be difficult in Toulouse, but we showed out there tonight that we can handle a lot of pressure in what was a very tough match.

"We can go out there in Toulouse and throw the ball about, and if we score three tries and they score five, then at least we've had a go," he added.

Bath are confident that injured England men Mike Catt and Ben Clarke will be fit for the Toulouse trip, although Robinson may opt to field an unchanged team, given tonight's much-improved performance.

England fullback Matt Perry was calm and assured at fly-half, while young England hopefuls Mike Tindall and Iain Balshaw showed some wonderful touches, which ultimately proved too much for Swansea.

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