2020-21 European Rugby Challenge Cup – Zebre vs Bath Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Zebre vs Bath taking place? Friday 2nd April, 2021 – 15:00 (UK)
Where is Zebre vs Bath taking place? Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma
Where can I get tickets for Zebre vs Bath? Visit official club websites for ticket information
What television channel is Zebre vs Bath on? BT Sport have the rights to televise European Rugby Challenge Cup matches so it is worth checking their schedule
Where can I stream Zebre vs Bath? If televised, BT Sport subscribers can stream the match live via the BT Sport website & app
THE TEAM NEWS
Zebre: 15 Gabriele Di Giulio, 14 Pierre Bruno, 13 Tommaso Boni (c), 12 Enrico Lucchin, 11 Giovanni D’Onofrio, 10 Carlo Canna, 9 Marcello Violi, 8 Renato Giammarioli, 7 Maxime Mbanda, 6 Potu Junior Leavasa, 5 Ian Nagle, 4 David Sisi, 3 Giosue Zilocchi, 2 Luca Bigi, 1 Danilo Fischetti
Replacements: 16 Oliviero Fabiani, 17 Andrea Lovotti, 18 Eduardo Bello, 19 Leonard Krumov, 20 Jacopo Bianchi, 21 Josh Renton, 22 Paolo Pescetto, 23 Federico Mori
Bath: 15 Anthony Watson, 14 Semesa Rokoduguni, 13 Max Clark, 12 Max Ojomoh, 11 Joe Cokanasiga, 10 Orlando Bailey, 9 Ben Spencer, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Sam Underhill, 6 Miles Reid, 5 Elliott Stooke, 4 Josh McNally (c), 3 Will Stuart, 2 Jack Walker, 1 Beno Obano
Replacements: 16 Jacques du Toit, 17 Jamie Bhatti, 18 Henry Thomas, 19 Will Spencer, 20 Josh Bayliss, 21 Will Chudley, 22 Max Wright, 23 Alex Gray
THE PREDICTION
The Pro14’s Zebre take on the Premiership’s Bath in the first European Challenge Cup outing in this revamped knockout format on Friday afternoon. The Italian side ended up finishing bottom of Conference A despite spending much of the season above Dragons, who were the last side they managed to beat with a three-match losing streak since then. They have claimed three of their four wins at home but travelling Bath should be too much for them from the off in this clash. The visitors lost a crazy 36-33 match at London Irish last weekend, in keeping with recent huge score-lines, but four wins from their last six Premiership matches is form enough to warrant a comfortable win at Zebre. Bath can cover -14 away from home here, though it could be worth waiting for the fixtures due to take place in Italy to be confirmed first.
