Gethin Jenkins to Bath?

The Rugby Papers front page story is speculating that Gethin has turned down a move to Perpignan and will not be renewing his contract with Cardiff Blues and is looking at Bath, it appears they have also bid for Adam Jones too.

The Golden era of Bath rugby is drawing nearer.

I'm going to try and not get too excited about this, have heard it bandied around before. Most likely paper/agent talk, but it would make sense, especially if Flatman retires (at least partially a la Julian White) to do more media work and if we got Jenkins as our Marquee player, although i'm still not clear on those rules.

looks like its going to happen could have gone to france for more money but didnt want to live outside wales , going to bath he can still live in wales and commute to training and games , rhys gill has already held talks with the blues to replace him

Adam Jones Q & A

Q- If Bath came knocking on your door would you be tempted to link up with Geech again?
AJ - I think it's a good club and I'd never say never. Enjoyed working with him so who knows!!

We need to pull our socks up and qualify for the HC next season or else these guys won't sign although I'm sure will pick up points once the 6 nations start.

Lets hope not, the PRL would carry on their obstinate reluctance to curtail to the wishes of the WRU and would effectively stop them playing for Wales.

Lets hope they go to France instead.

I'm sure bath wouldn't stand in their way.

Maybe Wales shouldn't ask for players early just so they can wrap them up in cotton wool and stick them in an oxygen chamber before the 6 nations!

I was hoping we (Dragons) would be able to get one of these players but I think their wage demands would mean we would have to sell about 20 players to get them. Would be excellent signings for bath though.

IS,

There's no way we could afford Geth or Adams right leg from a National point of view if they do go I hope they go to France least that way there is more negotiation for player release.

On the signings themselves if they do go to Bath then its a top catch for them.

Short term -

Long term - just shows how threadbare the academy cupboard is. We're fast becoming THE chequebook club, if we're not there already!

Of the English clubs Bath are the most realistic and likely destination.

As Hersh says though would Gethin Jenkins or/and Adam Jones relish playing in the Amlin Challenge Cup?

Bath are currently on 24 points. 10th in the AP. 7 points off Exeter in 6th so HC qualification is still possible but a big improvement is needed.


Bath's next 4 games in the AP:

Newcastle (H) - should aim for 5 points
Gloucester (H) - need to pick up the 4 points realistically
Exeter (A) - like above
Worcester (H) - like Newcastle

They need to pick up at least 3 wins. Anything less and Bath's season will likely be over with tougher assignments after to come.

We always start slow 6 nations time is where we normally pick up, and at least we're starting to put some better performances in.

6th place finish.

Easy.

bathmad wrote:Short term -

Long term - just shows how threadbare the academy cupboard is. We're fast becoming THE chequebook club, if we're not there already!

True, but you need 3 top props, all able of playing at least 30 mins in the toughest fixtures. With Flatman going, that leaves Catt and Beech, both top prospects (Catt being academy obviously). With Jenkins as top dog, that gives great depth, especially considering rotation and 6Ns and injuries. Catt might well be in the Saxons again soon as well don't forget.

Dammed if we do, dammed if we don't, the scrum has needed addressing for a while now and Jenks would surely do that, as well as suppling a great ball carrying option

beshocked wrote:Of the English clubs Bath are the most realistic and likely destination.

As Hersh says though would Gethin Jenkins or/and Adam Jones relish playing in the Amlin Challenge Cup?

Bath are currently on 24 points. 10th in the AP. 7 points off Exeter in 6th so HC qualification is still possible but a big improvement is needed.


Bath's next 4 games in the AP:

Newcastle (H) - should aim for 5 points
Gloucester (H) - need to pick up the 4 points realistically
Exeter (A) - like above
Worcester (H) - like Newcastle

They need to pick up at least 3 wins. Anything less and Bath's season will likely be over with tougher assignments after to come.

Good point Beshocked, but those 4 games are reasonably winnable. Its realistic to want 3 wins there, but if we lose to Glos (havn't beaten them in a while now, then that might prove difficult

Have a little faith Bathite, Glaws are very up and down this year similar to us, its just that they have had the rub of the green in their games.

Even HKC will be worried about us this time.

Bathite my point is you cannot afford to lose to Gloucester and Exeter. This is the perfect opportunity to build up momentum.

Some of your latter games include Quins, Leicester and Saints so you need to win these next 4 games.

By recruiting those two it will not create an attacking scrum in the league, merely a solid scrum which Flatman/Wilson or Catt/Perenise do anyway. It would however be interesting to see what the English refs would make of them in the scrum. Jenkins value in the loose would however be a top addition as my granny is quicker than Flatman.

In recent times the Bath pack has been pretty much predominantly English but that appears to be changing and the academy players are now all coming on stream in the backs which has had more non EQ players to date.

I would prefer the money spent on another IC, which apart from Barkley, Bath doesnt have any recognised backup.

HERSH wrote:I'm sure bath wouldn't stand in their way.

Maybe Wales shouldn't ask for players early just so they can wrap them up in cotton wool and stick them in an oxygen chamber before the 6 nations!

Its nothing to do with Clubs, Sale RFC always release Dwayne Peel when ever we ask, but the PRL stop him from attending training sessions, even though the IRB say that Unions are allowed to request their players for training camps...

Lets hope not, the PRL would carry on their obstinate reluctance to curtail to the wishes of the WRU and would effectively stop them playing for Wales

The PRL do no such thing. They just don't allow the WRFU to bully their clubs into releasing players outside of the international windows. If Jenkins and Jones had release clauses written into their contracts then there would be no problem whatsoever.

I would prefer the money spent on another IC, which apart from Barkley, Bath doesnt have any recognised backup..

Sam Vesty?

maestegmafia wrote:

HERSH wrote:I'm sure bath wouldn't stand in their way.

Maybe Wales shouldn't ask for players early just so they can wrap them up in cotton wool and stick them in an oxygen chamber before the 6 nations!

Its nothing to do with Clubs, Sale RFC always release Dwayne Peel when ever we ask, but the PRL stop him from attending training sessions, even though the IRB say that Unions are allowed to request their players for training camps...

Maybe they should read the small print before signing their contracts, and maybe the WRU should fall into line with other unions and not put in silly request for players way before the 6 nations etc...

Why don't Bath sign SBW as their marquee signing?

Bath's targets should be

Adam Jones
Gethin Jenkins
Schalk Brits
SBW


That will sort out the frontrow problems and give you a useful utility back.

[quote="formerly known as Sam"]

Lets hope not, the PRL would carry on their obstinate reluctance to curtail to the wishes of the WRU and would effectively stop them playing for Wales

The PRL do no such thing.

Yes they do

The clubs may agree to release players like Sale have done but then the PRL step in.

3 out of 4 wouldn't be bad

If we could borrow the Sarries accountants, we might be able to get them all under the cap...


Seriously though, a top level replacement for Flatman is needed, Gethin Jenkins would fill that role nicely and be a very good mentor for Catt/Beech too.

[quote="bedfordwelsh"]

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Lets hope not, the PRL would carry on their obstinate reluctance to curtail to the wishes of the WRU and would effectively stop them playing for Wales

The PRL do no such thing.

Yes they do

The clubs may agree to release players like Sale have done but then the PRL step in.

If the players have it written in to their contract that they are to be released, and thus paid accodingly, then the PRL would have no issue as the club is effectively being compensated for losing a player.

Why should non-welsh clubs effectively fund the WRU?

beshocked wrote:Bathite my point is you cannot afford to lose to Gloucester and Exeter. This is the perfect opportunity to build up momentum.

Some of your latter games include Quins, Leicester and Saints so you need to win these next 4 games.

Yes mate, I was agreeing with you. Saying that those 4 are 'winnable'. Agreed, they need to be won, because the later games are much less 'winnable' Gulp, eek.

Tiger,

I agree and if the players go then they take their chance as fas as I am concerned, they are proffesional now and as such need to make a living.

Was just pointing out that it is the PRl not the clubs who stop players being released outside the IRB window.

Will be interesting to see if the Scarlets/WRU play ball with Morgan if the issue arises.

beshocked wrote:Why don't Bath sign SBW as their marquee signing?

Bath's targets should be

Adam Jones
Gethin Jenkins
Schalk Brits
SBW


That will sort out the frontrow problems and give you a useful utility back.

Yeah that would be lovely mate, but unfortunately we aren't playing fantasy rugby! SBW going back to league anyway. The other three have all been approached.

The clubs may agree to release players like Sale have done but then the PRL step in.

They have taken to doing that because of the EPS agreement. It took years of haggling with the RFU to get the release the RFU wanted and the compensation for player loss the PRL wanted. The entire agreement would come under a great deal of threat if the PRL clubs started giving other nations the same release options which the RFU is paying handsomely for. It's nothing against Wales or WRFU (though they seem to be making the most fuss about it) it's just business. If the player has the agreement written into his contract then the PRL can do nothing about that player's release for international duty.

Adam and Gethin moving might not be a bad thing, both the regions have young players they need to develop and neither player is going to get any better, in fact looking at Adam he looks a little slower and barely does much running at all anymore, he just lumbers from ruck to ruck and plonks on the side of it. He is pretty much a rock in the scrum and nothing else.

Secondly both players are injured as often as they are fit, Adam especially seems to be breaking down slowly but surely.

Rumour has it Adam's partner refused to move to France, she wanted something closer to their home in Merthyr Tydfil, a distance of 45 or so miles might not be so bad.

HERSH wrote:Have a little faith Bathite, Glaws are very up and down this year similar to us, its just that they have had the rub of the green in their games.

Even HKC will be worried about us this time.

Just a bit concerned thats all, worrying that we are picking up two more 'former greats' that would command huge wages and be unavailable through injury and internationals. Not sure we need Jones as well, hooker is a priority definately. So Britz and Jenkins would be lovely!

Jenkins
Catt
Beech

Britz
Mears
Batty

Perenise
Wilson
Palmer-Newport

I'd say that is three lovely units, that would allow 2 big names to play each week, with some rotation. Thats what Saints and Tigers do and thats why they are near the top of the league and deep in cup competitions every year!

Not bad.

I'd take Jenkins over Jones anyday, but the fact we're going for two should mean we get one of them.

I'd rather we picked up a world class winger or centre than two world class props, I haven't heard anything about us going for Britz.

That looks a pretty good setup, although Palma Newport is currently on loan. I would be tempted to fit Lilley in there somewhere too.

An IC has to be the priority.

Palmer Newport is on his way back to us soon, for 6 Nations cover, likely to lose Wilson or Catt to EPS/Saxons. Great that he is getting lots of gametime though, scored 2 tries the other day.

We are in the hunt for Britz, thats true, whether we get him or not is something else. WOuldn't need a WC winger if Britz comes, back three is where he is most effective!!

Watch the backs get rejuvenated with a solid scrum and Donald bedded in. We have the talent in the backs, just need gameline breaking forwards to secure quick ball!

Jenkins can also double up as a back if you need

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmch0xrHZIU

Bathman_in_London wrote:If we could borrow the Sarries accountants, we might be able to get them all under the cap...


Seriously though, a top level replacement for Flatman is needed, Gethin Jenkins would fill that role nicely and be a very good mentor for Catt/Beech too.

Catt and Beech don't need mentoring. At their ages, they're either good enough or not. Suspect Beech is feeling a little hard done by at the moment, as long term I see him as a better player than Catt, who struggles in the scrum against top oppo (Nieto on Sunday being a prime example).

It would take more than two props to turn Bath into a superclub HERSH. I thought it was only recently you suggested Bath needed some time in the lower division to emerge as a stronger team?

The golden age of HERSH talking about a Welsh player positively is drawing nearer...

I want Melon to move to Bath just for this!

Rugby10 wrote:looks like its going to happen could have gone to france for more money but didnt want to live outside wales , going to bath he can still live in wales and commute to training and games , rhys gill has already held talks with the blues to replace him

Dislike Gethin Moving
Like Gill arriving

Now we'd just need Delve and Effion to sign for the Blues

HERSH, the problem with Bath transfer rumours is that there is no credibility behind them. Last season Bath were signing Carter, Wilkinson, Hook, McAllister, Croft, Castro, Ayerza... this lists goes on and on!

You can afford to sign Jenkins, but is he actually a realistic target or more hot air?

I sense there is a slightly negative feel here towards Bath, your not jealous are you guys?

7 wins out of 8, jealous me? Never!

He is the type of signing you need as you're not going to be a top team until you sort your front 5 out.

HKC, depends who you believe and which sources you trust. We did try and sign DC, thats a fact and we tried for Ayerza (for the same reason we are going for Jenkins), not sure where you got the rest from, all agent chat. The other bloke we have approached is Britz apparently

Hopefully getting rid of a load of our operated over seas shoite means we could afford a decent prop , Adam Gethin or Gill would do nicely ta

HKC, depends who you believe and which sources you trust

I trust the ones that told me Bath tried for Croft and Stankovitch last season. A lot of effort is going into trying to build up that Bath pack so it wouldn't suprise me if they were splashing the cash on some quality props.

I'm sure that they did try, didn't know about Croft, but would make sense to approach any international players who are up for contract, just to gauge interest/salary demands.

But munkian have you seen our new training ground and facilities?

Its world class, and it's something Newport can't/never offer, I think world class players want top notch kit to train with instead of using logs or old tyres basically not something out of a Rocky Film.

Modern Rugby players want to be pampered

Just had a great image of Gethin Jenkins chasing a chicken round a paddock for fitness sessions!!!

I'm sure that they did try, didn't know about Croft, but would make sense to approach any international players who are up for contract, just to gauge interest/salary demands..

You'd just signed Moody so I assumed Bath wanted a flanker combination they knew worked. Thankfully Crofty knows which side his bread is buttered and of course he was only 25ish so Tigers were always going to offer a decent contract, unlike with Moody.

Croft wouldn't beef up a U18s pack though! Don't think he was ever really a serious bid mate to be honest, Fearns and Louw were already sorted out

I think it was more a weapon as part of your lineout and running game. Croft re-signed before the 6N so it was probably part of the early search for players rather than main target.