By Joe Drabble Last updated: 25th April 2008
Borthwick: Hoping to leave Bath on a high
England and Bath lock Steve Borthwick insists he is relishing the prospect of signing off his career in the west country with European Challenge Cup success.
Borthwick is set to join Guinness Premiership rivals Saracens in the summer and the 28-year-old revealed he would love nothing more than to leave the club knowing he had helped add more silverware to Bath's already glistening trophy cabinet.
Victory for Bath over Sale Sharks in Challenge Cup semi-final would set up a final showdown with either Worcester or Newcastle, and Borthwick admits he and has team-mates have a fantastic opportunity to avenge last season's final heartache against Clermont Auvergne.
"I would love Bath to win the tournament and for me to be able to leave them with some silverware," said Borthwick.
"I played in Bath's two previous (Challenge Cup) finals, but this is not about me, it is about the group to whom I have an extremely strong attachment.
"This group has been together for several years and worked very hard in overcoming many challenges. Winning trophies would be nothing more than just reward for their huge efforts.
"But we know that we have a big challenge in front of us on Saturday - in fact, it is a formidable challenge.
"Sale attack you with the ball in hand and challenge you defensively all across the pitch.
"Now we are at the business end of the season, when titles are won or lost, we know Sale will also be really up for the semi-final."
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Bath | |
| Saturday 22nd November | |
| Guinness Premiership | |
| 13:00 | Northampton vs Bath |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Bath | |
| Saturday 15th November | |
| Guinness Premiership | |
| Bath 25 - 21 Leicester | |
| Friday 31st October | |
| The EDF Energy Cup | |
| Cardiff Blues 24 - 18 Bath | |
| Friday 24th October | |
| The EDF Energy Cup | |
| Sale 21 - 24 Bath | |
| Sunday 19th October | |
| Heineken Cup | |
| Bath 13 - 9 Newport-Gwent D'gons | |
| Sunday 12th October | |
| Heineken Cup | |
| Toulouse 18 - 16 Bath | |
| Saturday 4th October | |
| The EDF Energy Cup | |
| Bath 15 - 19 Leicester | |
| Wednesday 1st October | |
| Guinness Premiership | |
| Wasps 23 - 27 Bath | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bath | 6 | 23 |
| 2 | Harlequins | 6 | 20 |
| 3 | London Irish | 6 | 19 |
| 4 | Leicester Tigers | 6 | 17 |
| 5 | Gloucester | 6 | 17 |
Skysports.com assesses which Lions hopefuls shone during the second week of autumn internationals.
Stuart Barnes says the Northern Hemisphere teams are finding the competition too hot for them this autumn.
The Rugby Club caught up with Charlie Hodgson to discuss Sale and his England hopes.
A try at the death from fly-half Butch James handed Bath a dramatic 25-21 victory over Leicester Tigers.
Bath head coach Steve Meehan paid tribute to his side's 'mammoth' defensive performance after beating Leicester 25-21.
George Chuter, Jordan Crane and Dan Hipkiss have been included in the Leicester Tigers team to play Bath on Saturday.
Cardiff Blues coach Dai Young has admitted that luck played a significant part in his side reaching the EDF Energy Cup semi-finals.
The Cardiff Blues edged out Bath 24-18 at the Arms Park to book their place in the semi-finals of the EDF Energy Cup.