Bath 46 - 14 Northampton

Bath 46 - 14 Northampton

Bath are back, great win for the lads.

Is this the start of Bath's comeback, traditionally Bath always pick up a lot of points during the 6 nations and finish strongly to make the play offs.

Book the fat-lady!

I sense Bath could do the double this year, JEFF & The LV.

Is this the start of the Golden era for Bath rugby?

In fairness was some try from the prop Perenise.

early on in the season i predicted a good season for Bath and have been suprised at their lack of results but it does look as though they have turned the corner. results have improved but more importantly performnaces have been good too, it will be hard to push for the top 6 but that has to be their target now.

rawa86 wrote:In fairness was some try from the prop Perenise.

I think a run like that will have got him kicked out of the front row union!

in all honesty anything but a sizeable bath win would have been pretty embarassing for them.

Oh c'mon. This was the worst team Saints could field. Diggin at fullback? Manoa at number 8? Compare the lineups. The bath backs from 9 - 15 were mostly their number one unit.

All this proves is a Bath number one unit can beat a group of mostly backups. Nuthin more.
Compare the lineups. This competition is a joke.....

15 Nick Abendanon ....15 Paul Diggin
14 Ollie Woodburn.......14 Jamie Elliott
13 Sam Vesty............13 Scott Armstrong
12 Olly Barkley...........12 Greig Tonks
11 Tom Biggs.............11 Vasily Artemyev
10 Stephen Donald.....10 Stephen Myler
9 Michael Claassens....9 Martin Roberts
1 David Flatman.........1 Alex Waller
2 Ross Batty..............2 Brett Sharman
3 Anthony Perenise.....3 Tom Mercey
4 Stuart Hooper.........4 Mark Sorenson
5 Ryan Caldwell..........5 Christian Day
6 Ben Skirving............6 James Craig
7 Francois Louw.........7 Ben Nutley
8 Simon Taylor...........8 Samu Manoa

For me the most pleasing element of the game was the manner in which Bath played, sexy is back!

You can't fault Bath for the team they played against Doc and to be quite fair I could change 7 or 8 of that Bath line up without any loss in quality whatsoever.

I think what it does prove is that Saints don't have strength in depth in their squad, beyond the tight five there's no depth in the backrow and there's no depth in the backline.

Bath are building a very strong set-up and I predict the glory years will be back in the next 3-5 years, all we need now is a new stadium.....

doctor_grey wrote:Oh c'mon. This was the worst team Saints could field. Diggin at fullback? Manoa at number 8? Compare the lineups. The bath backs from 9 - 15 were mostly their number one unit.

All this proves is a Bath number one unit can beat a group of mostly backups. Nuthin more.
Compare the lineups. This competition is a joke.....

15 Nick Abendanon ....15 Paul Diggin
14 Ollie Woodburn.......14 Jamie Elliott
13 Sam Vesty............13 Scott Armstrong
12 Olly Barkley...........12 Greig Tonks
11 Tom Biggs.............11 Vasily Artemyev
10 Stephen Donald.....10 Stephen Myler
9 Michael Claassens....9 Martin Roberts
1 David Flatman.........1 Alex Waller
2 Ross Batty..............2 Brett Sharman
3 Anthony Perenise.....3 Tom Mercey
4 Stuart Hooper.........4 Mark Sorenson
5 Ryan Caldwell..........5 Christian Day
6 Ben Skirving............6 James Craig
7 Francois Louw.........7 Ben Nutley
8 Simon Taylor...........8 Samu Manoa

Maybe the saints should take it more seriously, no wonder Ashton wanted out.

HERSH wrote:

doctor_grey wrote:Oh c'mon. This was the worst team Saints could field. Diggin at fullback? Manoa at number 8? Compare the lineups. The bath backs from 9 - 15 were mostly their number one unit.

All this proves is a Bath number one unit can beat a group of mostly backups. Nuthin more.
Compare the lineups. This competition is a joke.....

15 Nick Abendanon ....15 Paul Diggin
14 Ollie Woodburn.......14 Jamie Elliott
13 Sam Vesty............13 Scott Armstrong
12 Olly Barkley...........12 Greig Tonks
11 Tom Biggs.............11 Vasily Artemyev
10 Stephen Donald.....10 Stephen Myler
9 Michael Claassens....9 Martin Roberts
1 David Flatman.........1 Alex Waller
2 Ross Batty..............2 Brett Sharman
3 Anthony Perenise.....3 Tom Mercey
4 Stuart Hooper.........4 Mark Sorenson
5 Ryan Caldwell..........5 Christian Day
6 Ben Skirving............6 James Craig
7 Francois Louw.........7 Ben Nutley
8 Simon Taylor...........8 Samu Manoa

Maybe the saints should take it more seriously, no wonder Ashton wanted out.

unlike bath we arent 10th in the table and hence have bigger fish to fry.

But Ashton wants to play and win things, hence why he has quit the Saints.

What bigger fish? Saints are.out of Amlin and Heineken cups

Are AP clubs now fielding weakened teams in the cup to focus on the league?

I think the Pro12 Welsh team should definitely say something about this....

Pot Hale wrote:Are AP clubs now fielding weakened teams in the cup to focus on the league?

I think the Pro12 Welsh team should definitely say something about this....

They don't call it the Little Value cup for nothing

The FA cup it isn't!!!!!!!!

PJ,
I'm not slamming Bath here at all. In any match, we play who is in front of us and we do as well as we can. However, I don't think Bath can take much from the match because the Saints team contained backups and players out of position. Not saying bath are good or not. Simply shows Saints management are not going out to win the LV= Cup. Rather they are focusing on the Premeirship. No biggie.

Yes it was a very weak saints side, but there are still plenty in that team that would be in their 1st 22. Everyone expected a win, but putting 46 points past them is to be commended I think, when was the last time a prem team put that many past a prem team? weakened or not

Doc. I didn't think you were slamming Bath at all, but maybe you didn't see the game and how dominant Bath were?

I know Saints were without 10 1st XV players as a result of International call-ups, but as I said earlier, I could have changed 7 or 8 Bath players in that starting line up without lowering the quality of the team.

For me, the bottom line is that Northampton have a better first choice XV than Bath, as do Leicester, Sarries, Quins and (it pains me) Glaws do at this moment in time. However, Bath have a very strong squad of 35+ players who will never be out of their depth in any of the games they are asked to play in.

The away defeat to Leinster in the HC aside, Bath were extremely unfortunate to lose to Glasgow from a dodgy bounce in the last play of the game, and likewise from a dodgy lineout reset (yep, reset - how many of those do you see?) in the game at Montpelier.

Couple that with the two last minute defeats Bath have experienced in the AP this season, and realistically, Bath could be in sixth/seventh place in the Prem and at least in the Amlin cup KO stages.

Bath can take plenty from yesterdays performance, and believe me they most certainly will, three on the trot at home since Christmas with heart, passion and clinical finishing where required.

Saints need cover in plenty of positions and that was painfully obvious at the Rec, another thing that Bath can take from the game, they're better prepared for next season already.

Remember Saints' collapse against Leinster in the HC final last year? Too much rugby. too small a squad. Saints need to take something away from yesterdays game to be sure.

No beef Doc. but that's the truth of it.

Bath are on the way back.

I think so too, the 6 nations will help Bath hopefully the lads can pick up some more wins to get there confidence back.

I'm confident we'll get into the play offs.

Easy on there HERSH, top six will be a challenge.

red_stag wrote:What bigger fish? Saints are.out of Amlin and Heineken cups

english teams have something else to play for, its called a domestic league

PJ,
Look mate, I am hoping Bath rebound and do well. The Premeirship is better with a strong Bath than a weak Bath. They are a signature club, unique, and known everywhere. Besides, Bath is one of the best Rugby towns on our island. I love going there for matches (despite the stands being poor). Saints started almost no one from their first XV and even then had a lock at number 8 and a wing who never plays 15 at fullback. The drubbing was expected. But as I said, I want a strong Bath and its good to see them play well. I saw only the first ten minutes, then work got in the way.

As long as they lose to Saints when it matters.

PJHolybloke wrote:Easy on there HERSH, top six will be a challenge.

Thats a given, but Bath are back, and I belive we have a good squad to cover for injuries and international duties unlike other teams (saints for example).

Keep calm and carry on.

bobo wrote:

red_stag wrote:What bigger fish? Saints are.out of Amlin and Heineken cups

english teams have something else to play for, its called a domestic league

Sorry when I saw that it was Bath v Saints I assumed this was in the Premiership.

How is Ross Baty been playing at hooker?

Promising start to the year, then a really poorly timed injury, when our other 2 senior hookers were also injured. I rate him highly, but it is going to be a strange 6 months for him. He is 2nd choice at the moment, with our 3rd choice Dixon leaving. Mearsy hasn't reached the form of 2 years ago and is very lucky to still be in the EPS.

All the talk coming out of the Rec is that a hooker is on the shopping list for the summer, Britz has been approached and we might use the marquee signing at 2 as well. Bismarck was approached, but he demanded 500k apparently, so who knows.

HHmmm £500k...wow...

Is it me or is there a real shortage of top class hookers about....(ill expect soem dodgy answers here )

Maybe you should sign Mullan...revert him back to hooker..and you have a perfect modern 2...powerful scrummager, pace, ball carrier....

Hopefully Mullan is on the radar, a LH would be great. Top class hookers are about, but how many are available

Mealamu
Hore
Polota Nau
Moore

I think Mealamu would be a cracking signing to be honest, can see him coming for 2/3 years of pension before retiring. But the rumour is that we are after Webber from Wasps, which isn't nearly as exciting.

GeordieFalcon wrote:HHmmm £500k...wow...

Is it me or is there a real shortage of top class hookers about....(ill expect soem dodgy answers here )

Maybe you should sign Mullan...revert him back to hooker..and you have a perfect modern 2...powerful scrummager, pace, ball carrier....

Speak for yourself - Saracens have Brits,Smit,George and Spurling.

Brits - international class. Smit - still HC class. George - great potential, could be international class, Spurling - England U20s, great potential.

Bath should possibly go for Jamie George in my opinion.

I think there will be a lot of competition for Mullan. The potential for him being away with England might lower his value though.


It looks like Bath are the only team trying to win the Low Value Cup. Could this be there way to get into the Heineken Cup?

But the rumour is that we are after Webber from Wasps, which isn't nearly as exciting

Potentially an excellent long term signing though. Good at the scrum, good in the loose, very physical and although, a bit hit and miss at the lineout that could easily be refined.

Maybe you should sign Mullan...revert him back to hooker..and you have a perfect modern 2...powerful scrummager, pace, ball carrier.....

Why?!? He is one of the best looseheads in the league right up there with Tongauiha and Ayerza. He would add a significant scrummaging weapon to most sides and offers a lot in the loose. Converting him back to hooker would require a complete change of his game.

Nothing to say George and Spurling are top class yet, nothing at all, only played a handful of games, stuck behind 2 overseas options for a while at least, until Schalk comes West side! Fingers crossed. George won't be an improvement on anything we have and would be third choice here as well, so whats the point?

LV cup - Don't think that we were that fussed to be honest, but those fixtures have coincided with a recent run of good form and without major disruptions to the EPS, we have a strong squad for the next few games. It's also a chance to keep bedding in Donald and to get a winning spirit and positivity back amongst the squad ahead of Gloucester at home, which is massive.

Having said all that, I think we will now be looking to win the cup, some silverware of any sort is always welcome for the fans and the squad, but also the HC spot is crucial for summer recruitment. Are we the only team trying to win it? Saw a first team Sale and Newcastle this weekend, not sure what the others fielded.

Agreed on Mullan, keep him where he is.

George won't be an improvement on anything we have and would be third choice here as well, so whats the point?

Isn't your second choice (Dixon?) off back to the SH in the summer? So that would leave Mears who is aging and is mobile but not that physical. George would offer a physical presence and a considerably younger one.

Dixon won't be resigned, he'll be off home as you have said, but Ross Batty is argubly first choice these days, with Mears as well. Needs to be a big name at hooker, not a work in progress, which George certainly is.

Bathite in my opinion George is better than most of the hookers you have already. Mears is too small. George would be behind whom? I don't think your hookers are quite as good as Brits and Smit! George is not the finished article. Hence needing more gametime.

Agree Sam.

You were fussed enough to play an almost full strength side!

Well I know that Quins,Leicester,Exeter,Saints,Saracens and Worcester are not taking the LV seriously. Just look at the team sheets.

I have no idea how you can say George is a better player than a current member of the EPS and British Lion and an experienced club man like Batty. Its such a cop out to say Mears is too small, shows a real naivety of his game to be honest, yes he is out of form and lucky to be in the EPS, but I'd still have him way above George. There's nothing to say he might push for 1st team ahead of Mears and Batty, but you have no evidence to openly say 'he is better than XX' He's not even in the Saxons is he?

George might show promise, but how many games has he really played? How many of these are at the top level? Hooker is a high pressure position, with lineout throwing been a pretty high profile area for mistakes to be seen and made.

When did I say our hookers were better than Smit and Britz? I said I hoped we signed Britz, which shows I obviously think Britz is better.

As I said, winning something is better than nothing and would represent a small present to the fans in a season that has been very disappointing. It's all about building momentum for the second half of the season, an area we have been very strong in the last 3 seasons. Keeping the same team together helps with consistency, which we need ahead of the build prem games coming up.

Use a bit of common sense mate, many of the top teams you mentioned have been unable to field full strength sides because they have been decimated by EPS and Saxons call ups, where Bath haven't. Of course they are going to rest their best players because they have a shot at the title. We don't have a shot at the title, so why not try and win something? Seems obvious to me.

Bathite you just said it. Out of form. Mears is too small though. Experience doesn't necessarily beat talent and potential. Any frontrow with Mears in it will take a pasting in my opinion.

I personally would pick George ahead of them. Let's just agree to disagree.

George has played a few games this season albeit mostly off the bench.

Yes I think it's obvious you should go for a trophy.

I'll agree that George has only played a few games and therefore there is nothing to say he is a better player.

If George was that good, he would have been thrown into the Saxons. Spencer has got in there without playing huge amounts of games and looks quality. If Lancaster thought the same about George, he would have thrown him in, but he didn't. On a side note, I think Spurling looks a more exciting prospect

Bathite actually Spencer only got in because Micky Young got banned for 8 weeks. Also he hasn't looked out of place in the HC. Outplaying Yachvili was a particular highlight. Spencer has been getting gametime because the 1st and 2nd choice Saracens scrumhalves are injured.

I only said in my opinion he is a better player. If you don't rate George that's fine. I would rather keep hold of him.

Sometimes I wonder if you read my posts at all before you reply.

That's my point exactly, Spencer is rated because he has shown real quality in the few games he has played.

If George had been good enough in those few games, he also would have been called up to the Saxons, in a position where England are very short. But he didn't, so perhaps you're guilty of overrating your own player.

Bathite he should be in the Saxons but that's not the point! George is good enough. Mears is only in the EPS because he has experience.

Will Greenwood thinks that George should be in the EPS too let alone Saxons. I am sure he isn't the only one.

I just personally think Jamie George would be a good signing for Bath as a good hooker. He could rotate as 1st/2nd choice at the club. No I dont think your hookers are so good to keep him as 3rd choice like Brits and Smit.

You think he should be, but Lancaster and all the other England coaches, including one at his own club disagree. I'll side with those guys' opinions over yours, unless your actually Graham Rowntree or Brian Moore in disguise. Greenwood is a legend, but no front row expert!

We are going off topic.

You wouldn't want George at your club. That's fine. I personally think you would be foolish to turn him down...but that's your choice. He would certainly be better than 3rd choice at Bath!

Would any other club want Jamie George?

As a replacement for Hawkins at Tigers he'd do. That would technically be third choice but rapid advancement as Chuter's career wound down and he'd be competing with Tom Youngs to be first choice.

We're not going off topic, I just proved my point!

We need proven class at hooker, a player that would almost demand a starting shirt based on reputation and experience. George might turn out to be a good player, but for now he isn't what I think we need.

They don't call it the Little Value cup for nothing

Low Value in this area. Most top half AP teams use this as an academy testing ground and the Welsh teams are start too as well. Is it about time it was changed to an under 23 competition?

beshocked, I'm with you here, I think George is a good young hooker and I would be happy if bath could sign the likes of him or Brooker from Quins. I think either would overtake Batty fairly quickly and share the duties with Mears. I'm not sure a big name would necessarily be the best signing for Bath.

Damn you Bathman!

Sorry mate, I would normally side with a fellow Bath-er!

Of course if Bismark turned up at the Rec next season I would recind my comment about going for a cheap young one and be very happy with it!

Thanks bathman in london.

Yup you should try and get Bismark.

Well the 2 names that are up for contract, have been approached and are possibilities are Britz and Webber. What would be your order of preference, taking into account their cost and the impact that has on the budget for expenditure elsewhere.

This summer, I'm hoping for:

LH - Flatman winding down, Catt and Beech are great prospects, but an out and out beastly scrummager would be great.
HK - As already discussed
LK - We only have 3 fit locks, which is ridicolous. Attwood away with England, so we must reinforce.
FB/WG - someone to allow Bendy a rest and heaven forbid if he gets injured. Maybe someone who also covers wing, assuming Cuthbert is off and Banahan continues to have at least some England commitments.

BDP wouldn't come for less than 500k and I would be very surprised if he went now, with Smit gone, his path to the shirt is clear and with PDV gone and Meyer in charge, there is no muppet at the helm. Meyer is a man that is very well respected and players want to play for him, Matfield already said he would come out of retirement for him.

Bathite I think you should look at Jenkins or Mullan as a LH.

Hooker - already discussed.

LK: When's Garvey out of contract?

FB/Wing: Look at Armitage. Cueto too.