Aironi 6-22 Bath, Heineken Cup, October 16
Meehan demands more from Bath
ESPNscrum Staff
October 16, 2010
Matt Carraro drags two Aironi defenders over the line, Aironi v Bath, Heineken Cup, Stadio Luigi Zaffanella, Viadana, Italy, October 16, 2010
Matt Carraro crashes over the try line for Bath's opening try against Aironi © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Nick Abendanon | Tom Biggs | Danny Grewcock
Tournaments/Tours: Heineken Cup
Teams: Aironi | Bath Rugby

Bath may have picked up five points on their trip to Italy, but head coach Steve Meehan still wants to see more from his players.

After last week's loss at home to Biarritz, a bonus-point win at Magners League minnows Aironi was the only outcome that would leave the West County side with a credible chance of advancing from Pool Four of the Heineken Cup. And while pleased with the 22-6 victory, Meehan believes his side should still have chalked up more points.

"Winning quality ball gave us an opportunity to get into the game but we didn't make as much of those opportunities as we should have," he said. "But it was good to see the likes of Nick Abendanon and Tom Biggs running with ball in hand today.

"It was very important for us to win away from home after last week's result. We've got five points and that gives us a chance. The set-piece was better in the first half, but not so tidy in the second."

Of the performance of man-of-the-match Abendanon, who delivered a fine display in attack and defence, Meehan said: "It doesn't do his international prospects any harm but there are a number of players doing well in his position at the moment. But he knows that and he knows he has to work and continue with his good form."

The Australian coach was also delighted for wing Biggs, who scored his first try for the club he joined over the summer.

"I was pleased to see him get his try because he's been working very hard for the club," explained Meehan. "A month ago we told him he had to be more confident and start trusting himself and pinning his ears back, and doing what we're aware he can do with his speed. We saw him using his speed in defence too.

"He's getting more and more comfortable with the club and the players around him and reacting well. It's all coming together."

The victory was tempered by another Bath lock forward picking up an injury. Bath can now add Danny Grewcock, who was forced off on half an hour, to the second-row injury list also containing Peter Short and Scott Hobson.

"Danny is probably the biggest concern at the moment with a rib injury," said Meehan. "There are a few knocks and niggles but not anything - with the exception of Danny - that's going to stand in anyone's way for next week."

A hamstring twinge prevented young centre Ben Williams from taking to the field for his Heineken Cup debut.

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