Bath - Palma-Newport and Heathcote extend deals

Glad for Bath and both of them. Heathcote has a cool head on young shoulders and good be a good 10. Palma-Newport I was particularly impressed with in pre-season and early season when Wilson and Perenise were at the world cup. Solid against very good Jeff oppo in the tight, and likes a rumble in the loose!
Good to see some academy players (for once!!!!!) that may actually make the cut at senior level.

Both great young prospects and great to see them signed up. Heathcote already overtaken Vesty for the second 10 shirt and will be pushing Donald hard now I think, an assured goal kicker as well, sunk some beauties under huge pressure this year, some straight off the bench, which isn't easy.

KPN as you said has been very impressive and with Belly retiring next year, his opportunities will increase.

This good news, coupled with the signing of Webber and re-signing of Bendy means I'm a happy Bathite at the moment.

Excellent news, both hopefully have long careers ahead of them at the Rec.
Both have looked impressive so far, nice to see our much maligned academy turning out some decent players who actually stay with Bath!

Trying to put together an academy team off the top of my head. I think that's pretty impressive to be honest, but shows a bias towards the backs, with Nick Scott to add to that list as well

Catt
Mears
KPN
Spencer
Hobson - but long term injury and unlikely to play again, sadly
Ovens
Mercer
Skuse - his time will come, great England U20s player

Cook
Heathcote
Banahan (got to claim that I reckon, had never played wing before he joined us)
Barkley
Williams
Woodburn
Abendanon

Mears is Bath from the off, so there's your academy hooker.

Is he? Wow, didn't realise that, cheers

Wow, apparently Kane Palmer Newport is now in the extended Saxons party, according to the Bath fansite

KPN re-signing is good news as I thought he might have found the lure of weekly 1st XV gametime a bit too tempting, I guess he's just a Bath boy through to his boots.

Heathcote has come on strong this season, and the opportunity to learn from Donald will be invaluable for his further development so I'm expecting him to continue to improve on what has been a strong start.

Young Webber's signing is another piece of good news and shows the club is intent on keeping youth at the forefront of the squad building mission.

I wonder who will sign next?

It's quite exciting.

In my opinion you need 3 front rows to compete on all fronts and ideally I'd want:

1 set of proven experienced class
1 set of bulky technical scrummagers to strengthen the set piece
1 set of more mobile ball carrying types

This allows you enough to compensate for injuries and call ups and gives enough players to rotate and the ability to change the way you play and bring on fresh legs without a drop in qulaity, like Saints and Tigers can.

Rumour is that Gethin Jenkins will be the marquee signing, which would be terrific and complete the front row I reckon. Then on with another second row and maybe an outside back that plays full back and we are away.

I would have to agree with that Bathite, if GJ does sign I would be very, very happy.

I think Bath already have the mobile front row - Perenise's try was pure gold at the weekend and Mears looked the part when he came on too, he's getting back to his best form at the time he's needed most.

Another lock, an O/C and a wing/FB would be bang on, I expect one or two of the "old firm" will be moving on at the end of the season so there should be a bit of slack in salary terms.

The future is looking bright indeeed.

Think the only 'big name' out of contract are Dixon and Belly mate.

Personally, I'd prefer another 12 over a 13, with Williams Carraro and Hipkiss all covering that spot. Don't see any pure 12s other than Barkely at the club and he is injury prone.

Agreed on lock and wing/fb though.

Hmmmm, just the two then? Well we know Dixie's off, not sure about Dinger, a bit sentimental that one, maybe that's why I'm not a DoR?

Carraro doesn't play enough to be anything other than cover, Hipkiss is still "bedding in" and neither could be considered as spring chickens, Williams has played maybe a dozen games all told.

Whilst you're right, the position is covered, I wouldn't say Bath have an O/C to strike a bit of fear into the opposition, someone to make them think a bit before blitzing up.

Any news on Eastmond?

I think Carraro is quality, he played loads of games for the last two seasons, its only this year that he has been injured and can't always play the HC games because Donald takes an extra Non EU spot.

Eastmond a couple of weeks away from full fitness. Seems like a real sick note!

Bathite, I agree about Carraro, I would play him every week. He will also be 'english qualified' next season so there won't be an issues about him being in the match day squad.

I think Eastmond might have pulled up with another injury? A shame because the LV would have been a perfect time to get him involved.

I hope Cook gets a contract extension too, I think he will be a good player.

Tindall starts at fly half for Gloucester!! Can't wait to see that! He can't pass of his left hand, his right hand pass is average and always behind the target, his kicking is ok, but not great. Crash ball option from 10 it is then!

Bathite wrote: Tindall starts at fly half for Gloucester!! Can't wait to see that! He can't pass of his left hand, his right hand pass is average and always behind the target, his kicking is ok, but not great. Crash ball option from 10 it is then!

Quality.

I agree about the need for an inside centre, Bathite. Our backs lack ignition and that stems from a weak pack, which is seemingly being addressed, and poor distribution in the midfield. We have three decent 13's in Carraro, Hipkiss and Williams, but Olly, Sam V or Banners at 12 lack pace for one thing, and invention.

Frans Steyn would be my choice as a complete 12. He kicks, bashes, passes, and defends.