Meehan tips Bath flyer for World Cup

Apr 2 2007 Gareth Morgan, Western Mail

Bath 51-12 Bristol

BATH boss Steve Meehan believes exciting full-back talent Nick Abendanon could emerge as a bolter for England's World Cup squad.

The 20-year-old, who has already played for England Saxons, scored three tries as Bath booked a European Challenge Cup semi-final place by thumping West Country rivals Bristol 51-12.

England head coach Brian Ashton is a known admirer of Abendanon.

And it would be a major surprise if he does not feature in either this summer's two-Test South Africa tour or the Saxons' Churchill Cup campaign in north America.

Meehan said, "This year we've thrown him in at the deep end and he has come through very well.

"He is far from the finished article, but he has developed rapidly.

"If he continues in this form, we might not have him at the start of next season when the World Cup is on.

"He has a wonderful sense of timing, great balance in his running and a pretty safe pair of hands."

Abendanon was at the heart of a blistering second half performance that saw Bath post 41 unanswered points.

And victory made it fourth time lucky following two Guinness Premiership defeats and an EDF Energy Cup loss to Bristol this term.

The emphatic win also kept alive Bath's hopes of Heineken Cup qualification next term.

"What's important is this squad recognises it can achieve things," said Meehan.

"Heineken Cup entry through this competition would be fantastic, but lifting a trophy would be a great reward for the players."

And he added, "This was worth the wait - that's for sure.

"It was a very good second half, and some aspects of our play were brilliant.

"But you can't forget the first half when we made some errors that put us under pressure."

Bristol will now turn their attention to the Premiership, where victory over relegation-threatened Memorial Stadium visitors Worcester next Saturday would rekindle play-off hopes following four defeats in five league games.

Bristol head coach Richard Hill said, "We were chasing shadows.

"I am not sure what happened in the second half - Bath just played exceptionally well."