Steve Meehan has paid tribute to his Bath players after they secured a Heineken Cup quarter-final place.
Coach praises 'absolute commitment' of players
Bath coach Steve Meehan has paid tribute to the resilience of his players after they secured a Heineken Cup quarter-final place with a 3-3 draw against Toulouse.
Appalling conditions at the Rec, including hail, rain and strong winds, forced Bath to dig deep to finish top of Pool Five and secure an away tie at Leicester.
Bath made a huge effort to win the game in the late stages going through 19 phases of play, but they were unable to find a way to break the deadlock.
"It was pretty tough to take a drop-goal in those conditions," said Meehan. "It was like dropping a ball in a bathtub.
"We just tried to maintain possession and force a penalty. The penalty came, but it was against us.
"We were fortunate to be 3-3 at half-time - the score didn't do Toulouse any justice at all.
"They had all the territory and possession, while we were looking for miracle fixes.
Dogfight
"We didn't put Toulouse under any pressure, but we addressed it at half-time.
"All we asked for this week was absolute commitment, and the guys gave their all. It was a very solid team performance.
Toulouse's South African number eight Shaun Sowerby added: "It was a dogfight out there between two teams who like to play a bit.
"We felt good at half-time, but Bath put us under a lot of pressure in the second half and we defended well
"To play six matches, and have four wins, a draw and a narrow loss to Toulouse, was very good.
"I believe in these players - they are very resilient and full of character."
Sledgehammer
Meehan also spoke of his players' reaction to the news in the week that tight-head prop Matt Stevens had failed a drugs test.
Stevens is currently suspended from all rugby and awaiting a disciplinary hearing. He could be handed a two-year suspension.
"It has affected players in different ways," Meehan added
"For some players it came and hit them like a sledgehammer, and some people will brush it off. You have to look at the individual to see how they react.
"I have not had any contact with him (Stevens) since.
"I think it has been covered enough, and the players have got to get on with how they are going to deal with it. Perhaps some already have.
"I am not going to dwell on it with the players."
