Bath head coach Steve Meehan has brushed off concerns about finding a replacement for Olly Barkley.
Meehan has insisted Bath can replace their star fly-half
Bath head coach Steve Meehan has brushed off concerns about finding a suitable replacement for Gloucester-bound Olly Barkley.
The England international fly-half continued his rich vein of form with a 22-point haul in Bath's 57-5 victory over Leeds on Saturday.
Bath booked a date with Sale in the semi-finals of the European Challenge Cup in the process and Meehan dismissed suggestions the club might struggle to replace Barkley in the summer.
"We have not been inundated with inquiries from international players but we are down the track with someone who we think will add to our squad," Meehan said.
"On the matter of goal kicking, we've got players here who can kick goals and Butch James has been one of the first to put up his hand.
"If we are playing good rugby we shouldn't need the goal kicking to swing games for us."
Future
Bath now have 10 full days to prepare for their Guinness Premiership clash at home to Leicester Tigers, which will go a long way to deciding the play-off pecking order, and Meehan has reassured fans about the fitness of his squad.
"I expect that the majority of the squad will be back and available, with the exception only of Andy Beattie and Ryan Davis," Meehan added. "I do expect to have David Barnes available, for instance."
Leeds' director of rugby Stuart Lancaster was frank in his assessment of the game and has backed captain Stuart Hooper to prove a success at The Recreation Ground when he moves in the summer.
"Bath have pace, footballing ability and athletic ability," Lancaster said. "We've played them three times now and I have to say they're one of the best we've played.
"I spoke to the Bath forward coach before the game and told him that they had made a great signing in Stuart.
"He's a quality addition, someone with character who will enjoy the great brand of rugby they play here."
