The Bath Rugby Thread

[HERSH]

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[SirJohnnyEnglish]

How did Eastmond get on in his first start?

[PJHolybloke]

He did OK SJE, it wasn't a game to judge individual performances on, to be fair to him, but he made a couple of breaks second half and looked dangerous. He tackled well as you would expect from his RL background, and did pretty well chasing down the Gary Owens.

In fact the only blemish in his copy book was a knock-on trying to take a high ball in the first half, he wasn't under pressure really, he just spilled it. Nothing unusual, it's not a weakness in his game, it just happened, as it does.

He looks like he could be a very successful convert, I just hope he gets some decent ball to work with, in the first half he got a stiff neck looking for it... way too much boot to ball.

[LondonTiger]

PJH,

Thanks for providing such a balanced counterpoint to the slightly more rabid Bath fan who posts on here.

[HERSH]

Where now for Bath rugby?

Top four is very achievable this season and then who knows?

[Bathite]

HC rugby is a must. I'd love to get to the LV and/or amlin final as well

I'm not getting too excited about scraping a win against the team everyone has down as 11th certainties though

[bathmad]

Need to up our game sharpish!

[bathmad]

Get Mercer in quick. Need to secure some ball.

[PJHolybloke]

PJH,

Thanks for providing such a balanced counterpoint to the slightly more rabid Bath fan who posts on here.

Well, I don't know about that, I just say what I see. Got anyone particular in mind LT?

I know this much, I'm glad I'm working this Saturday, because on last weekend's showing - there's too big a gap to close in just 7 days...

Being unable to pick against my team, I reckon my SuperBru stats might be going South.

[HERSH]

Great win for the boys today.

So glad Eastmond is starting to settle in after the disappointment of last season.

[HERSH]

[PJHolybloke]

HERSH, what were the key positives for you from today? I thought Bendy was class, the tight 5 were solid (without being spectacular), Claasens controlled the tempo and Biggs/Eastmond looked very hungry.

Banahan was a wrecking ball again, any news on his ankle?

[HERSH]

I've not heard anything about his ankle?

Key positives is that we look like we're hungry again and everyone seems to know what their job is.

[LondonTiger]

PJH,

Thanks for providing such a balanced counterpoint to the slightly more rabid Bath fan who posts on here.

Well, I don't know about that, I just say what I see. Got anyone particular in mind LT?

I know this much, I'm glad I'm working this Saturday, because on last weekend's showing - there's too big a gap to close in just 7 days...

Being unable to pick against my team, I reckon my SuperBru stats might be going South.

Well we both got points then for predicting a Bath win

i am guessing the performance was a bit better than last week when I understand Bath played very poorly.

[HERSH]

Eastmond for England PJ?

[PJHolybloke]

Yeah, we both lucked out today LT, that's the truth. Wasps were extremely good value for their LBP and will have trawled back up the M4 having a good hard look at themselves. They will be a handful for just about anyone and everyone this season and look a mile away from the relegation scrappers they were earlier in the year. Wasps lost the game today through over-ambitious rugby, if they drop the jazz hands and get a solid mindset sorted, they'll be in the HC place mix.

Bath weren't streets ahead in any area of the game other than organisation, I guess that's Gold's forte. Bath defended very well, apart from Varndell's try, kicked well - but thankfully not as often as last week - and were more clinical in terms of coming away from the red zone with more points than Wasps did.

Eastmond scored a beauty that's well worth a look, Abendanon played exceptionally well, Claasens was a genuine maestro, Banahan took it straight and hard and Barkley was perfection with the boot.

The scrum creaked on a couple of occasions though, the lineout wasn't providing sure ball and could have been worse if Wasps had backed themselves a bit more, the gaffer-taped back row did not look competitive at any stage - Fearns aside.

It WAS a better game than last week, but that in itself, does not imply any major step forward in the "new beginning", if anything, it was a C+ from the BB&W's, good homework but must contribute more during lessons.

[PJHolybloke]

Eastmond for England PJ?

Seriously?!

Eastmond for Bath against Saints is a possibilty...

[maestegmafia]

Great day out today at the rec. really fun. Good game and a good win. Baths defence was very good

[DaveM]

Fair play, Bath were much less painful to watch than I expected. If they stick to that balance I'll have no complaints.

I think Eastmond is the most interesting talent in English rugby. I also think he's wasted on the wing. When you are that good in traffic, and you have the ball skills he has, you want to get him more involved. I reckon he could potentially play 9, 10, 12, 13 or 15. It will be really interesting to see where he ends up.

[HERSH]

Great day out today at the rec. really fun. Good game and a good win. Baths defence was very good

Glad you enjoyed it Mae.

[HERSH]

2 from 2 is a great start but once again we're not scoring bonus points, this has been a problem for a number of years now and something other clubs seem to do.

[bathmad]

2 from 2 is a great start but once again we're not scoring bonus points, this has been a problem for a number of years now and something other clubs seem to do.

Couldn't agree more. It's bloody frustrating, and would have been the difference between us and 5th/6th last year.

[PJHolybloke]

Anyone got any thoughts on the team for Friday?

I wonder if James and Attwood being benched on Saturday was any indicator that they would start against Sinners?

Sicknote is still recovering and it may be at least another week before he's available so Barkley should continue at 10, but if Banahan is out, who will step into the 12 spot? Is it time for Williams to take a bow, or will they go with the (relatively speaking) more experienced Cuthbert?

It's fairly clear the coaches are leaning towards 2 battering rams in midfield, so Barkley isn't really an option.

What about the front row? James, Mears, Perenise? Or will Wilson get the nod at tighthead?

Anyone fancy a little competition? Name your starting XV, 5 points for each one not in the matchday squad, 2 points for each one not in the starting XV but in the 23?

Anyone fancy a stab - prior to the team being named tomorrow, of course.

HERSH, with your inside contact you should nail this.

[PJHolybloke]

Not much of pub this, is it?

OK I'll start the ball rolling.

15 Abendanon
14 Biggs
13 Hipkiss
12 Williams
11 Eastmond
10 Barkley
9 Claaasens

1 James
2 Mears
3 Perenise
4 Attwood
5 Day
6 Fearns
7 Skuse
8 Skirving

[LondonTiger]

They were out getting drunk last night

[PJHolybloke]

Very good LT. I stayed in, it's cheaper.

[Bathite]

James and Wilson definitely saved last weekend ahead of a stern scrummaging challenge against Tongha and Mooj.

15 Abendanon
14 Biggs
13 Hipkiss
12 Vesty / Williams
11 Eastmond
10 Barkley
9 Claaasens

1 James
2 Mears
3 Wilson
4 Attwood
5 Hooper
6 Taylor
7 Fearns
8 Skirving

[PJHolybloke]

I hope Williams gets the nod, Bathite, but if he doesn't I would expect Cuthbert to start. GG likes his centres big.

You're probably in with Wilson at tight head, but I'd prefer Perenise for his combination of size and mobility, this will be Barh's biggest test upfront so far by a large margin. Did you see Saints on Sunday? Scary.

Any idea what time the team will be announced? Looks like theres only going to be 2 entries.

[LondonTiger]

Mooj is not playing, Williams is.

Teams on Preview thread.

https://www.606v2.com/t34794-aviva-premieship-round-3-preview-and-discussion

[PJHolybloke]

Cheers LT. Bathite wins by a head. Really pleased Williams is in, he should make the best of Banahan's absence and this could be a massive season for him. He's a great prospect.

[Bathite]

I got it bang on didn't I? Just bottled it a touch with the /Vesty bit!

[PJHolybloke]

Yeah, sorry Bathite, I had to accept your first answer

[PJHolybloke]

Nice one Sinners, just when we thought Sarries were ugly?

You couldn't punch putty as ugly as that.

[HERSH]

Gutted

[tatterd]

how does it feel hersh?
nyuck nyuck nyuck

[HERSH]

So Gold wants Ben Youngs next season.

Thoughts?

[ChequeredJersey]

So Gold wants Ben Youngs next season.

Thoughts?

We want Aaron Cruden. We won't get him either.

[HERSH]

You can have Donald if you want?

[ChequeredJersey]

thanks but I think I'd rather we just convinced Nev to stay

[HERSH]

Why don't people want a NZ RWC winning fly half?

On his day etc etc....

[ChequeredJersey]

We do but Grant Fox must be in his late fifties now, not sure how he'd hold up

[HongKongCherry]

So Gold wants Ben Youngs next season.

Thoughts?

More hot air from the Bath transfer rumour mill - that's my thoughts

If I remember correctly there wasn't much speculation linking James or Day to Bath. So maybe it's the players you're not linked to that you should be linked to. Admittedly that doesn't leave many people, but...

[HERSH]

I think we'll get Youngs, maybe not next year but one day.

[HERSH]

Lets face it we get most Tigers in the end.

[LondonTiger]

Based on past signings from Tigers, with his best years behind him

There is more chance of him signing for Northampton (remember they were sniffing in 2010 and 2011) than him heading down to the Rec in the discernible future.

[Bathite]

It's not going to happen is it, let's be honest for a number of reasons.

At 300k he'd be a complete waste of time, as he's either injured or with England most of the time. Hugely over rated player as well, I have Care as my England 9 every day of the week.

How much did Gloucester pay for Cowan, now that's a good bit of business.

For 300k I'd want a world class player available to me all year round, ideally a non ANZ player so doesn't classify as foreign as well. In fact I think that only really a TH or a FH justifies that much at Prem level.

[HERSH]

100% agree Bathite

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

It's not going to happen is it, let's be honest for a number of reasons.

At 300k he'd be a complete waste of time, as he's either injured or with England most of the time. Hugely over rated player as well, I have Care as my England 9 every day of the week.

How much did Gloucester pay for Cowan, now that's a good bit of business.

For 300k I'd want a world class player available to me all year round, ideally a non ANZ player so doesn't classify as foreign as well. In fact I think that only really a TH or a FH justifies that much at Prem level.

Hmm, someone like Donald Duck then?

[HERSH]

On his day.......

[Bathite]

Exactly! So now we need the TH! Can't really think of one coming towards the end of a career that might fancy it though Jannie Du Plessis possibly

[beshocked]

When does Jacque Fourie's contract run out in Japan? You could do with a world class centre.

When does Fourie Du Preez's contract in Japan run out? He would be much more worthwhile for Bath to sign as a scrum half.

Both these players would be expensive but with a South African coach and a sugar daddy neither is out of the question.

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