The Bath Rugby Thread

by HERSH Wed 15 Aug 2012, 1:37 pm

First topic message reminder :

The dedicated home of all things Bath Rugby,

Please feel free to discuss all things Bath related, so pull up a chair an have a quite drink among friends, mines a Bath Ales Dark Side please. guinness

Other fans welcome but remember, play nicely.

by Scrumpy Sun 31 Mar 2013, 10:28 pm

Didn't get to see any of the Bath game this weekend was it a good win or did the scoreline flatter us?

by HongKongCherry Mon 01 Apr 2013, 1:12 pm

You're signing decent players and now you've got rid of Donald - dagnabbit are you intent on becoming a decent side?! mad

by yappysnap Mon 01 Apr 2013, 2:39 pm

What's happened to Donald?! He was the glue that held Bath together!

by Hood83 Mon 01 Apr 2013, 5:56 pm

sirtidychris wrote:With Gary Gold i always thought the tactic would be kick and chase, he has a great rugby pedigree in coaching but his style of play has usually involved massive forward packs and a kicking based game. We obviously have to give him time and the signings he's made so far are very promising, but i do miss steve meehan and i don't think craig realised what a gem he had.

With our AP run in Sale was a must win game, we have the hardest finish to the season out of any club and we needed maximum points from Sale and Welsh to stand a chance of HC rugby but to be honest we wont beat quins, tigers or sarries with all there internationals and the play offs within grasp. I see us 8th just above wuss and irish at season end. Last chance to salvage anything now sits on Amlin challenge cup with a home game against Stade reasonably winnable. Then we need some freakish good luck to beat Toulouse, Leinster, Perpingnon and or Biarittz in the semis then final !!

The Run In:
30/03/13 London Welsh AVIVA Premiership Home
06/04/13 Stade Francais Amlin Cup Home
13/04/13 Harlequins AVIVA Premiership Away
20/04/13 Leicester AVIVA Premiership Home
May 04/05/13 Saracens AVIVA Premiership Away

I think Meehan was/is a far far better coach than Gold, who I really don't rate at all. I think Meehan, with the squad you're now assembling would have done a fine job. Gold, without a massive pack, is utterly lost. He actually did OK for us Falcons but that was relative to the quite woeful Tait.

by sirtidychris Mon 01 Apr 2013, 6:59 pm

Vic

Also didn't get to see the game but only the highlights, i think the score line did flatter us a bit, however 5 tries is awesome against any ap opposition and rokoduguni was a standout showing some real fijian sidesteps, running lines and pace...think it will probably be the last game we win this season though !

Glad to hear we have shifted daffy duck, his heart was never with baths course, just going through the motions getting that pay check, was also injured alot and didn't perform when well, he should have gone to Japan in 2011 as that league suits his enthusiasm for rugby and defensive skills better.

With Claasens, Barkley and Donald gone to big spending clubs and skirving and probably taylour off, this frees up a big wedge for our squad for next year and reckon we have enough in the salary cap to pay all the current and new players, JJ,ford etc and still sign 1 more marquee player. Personally i'm still hoping for Toby Faletau, but definately think a new scrum half will be on the cards at least.

by beshocked Tue 02 Apr 2013, 10:37 am

sirtidychris wrote:With Gary Gold i always thought the tactic would be kick and chase, he has a great rugby pedigree in coaching but his style of play has usually involved massive forward packs and a kicking based game. We obviously have to give him time and the signings he's made so far are very promising, but i do miss steve meehan and i don't think craig realised what a gem he had.

With our AP run in Sale was a must win game, we have the hardest finish to the season out of any club and we needed maximum points from Sale and Welsh to stand a chance of HC rugby but to be honest we wont beat quins, tigers or sarries with all there internationals and the play offs within grasp. I see us 8th just above wuss and irish at season end. Last chance to salvage anything now sits on Amlin challenge cup with a home game against Stade reasonably winnable. Then we need some freakish good luck to beat Toulouse, Leinster, Perpingnon and or Biarittz in the semis then final !!

The Run In:
30/03/13 London Welsh AVIVA Premiership Home
06/04/13 Stade Francais Amlin Cup Home
13/04/13 Harlequins AVIVA Premiership Away
20/04/13 Leicester AVIVA Premiership Home
May 04/05/13 Saracens AVIVA Premiership Away

Personally I think you will beat Stade Francais. The other games might be quite difficult though!

What's your home record been like this season?

by Bathman_in_London Tue 02 Apr 2013, 2:02 pm

Having watched the replay, I have to say the scoreline in many ways flattered Bath, Welsh played some good rugby and dare I say it looked a far better team than Sale did last week.

The run-in will be tough, especially with Banahan injured and Roko not registered for the Amlin (I don't think?). Spekaing of Roko,I really hope he is signed up for another season, nevermind that he will be off with the Army at times, he is a very good player to have in the squad.

beshocked, I think I'm right in saying that Bath have lost once at home since the end of september (against you in fact). Quins have lost a few recently and hopefully Sarries/Leicester will have one eye on the playoffs/europe to enable us to get enought to hang onto 6th.

With regards to Donald, he arrived injured and frankly has never been fit whilst at Bath. You only have to look at his kicking action to see he must be nursing something. Seems like a good bloke though, despite the stick some fans have given him. Probably best for all sides him leaving.

It does of course mean there should be a decent wedge of cap to fill...

by Bathite Tue 02 Apr 2013, 2:52 pm

A decent wedge of cap for a world class scrummy please. I'm thinking another saffa - does Fourie Du Preez fancy a return to proper rugby? I can dream I suppose

by formerly known as Sam Tue 02 Apr 2013, 3:20 pm

Bath do seem to be recruiting brightly. First time for everything I suppose. You guys should have a really nice looking squad for next season. Ditching the over priced average journeymen in Taylor and Donald is a really positive move and should fund your reorganization. How many players required new contracts ahead of next season?

by Bathman_in_London Tue 02 Apr 2013, 3:38 pm

First time since the 80s...
Of the top of my head, Attwood, Wilson, Hipkiss, Banahan and Gilbert have signed new deals. There will be quite a lot of expiries at the end of next season, so that might give a real indication of what direction GG is taking the club in.

Of course Mears has gone too, which won't have been planned but he will have been on a reasonable wage.

A decent 9 is definitely needed, I know Mickey Young has been mentioned, but we would need someone else too. I would hope we are generally looking to improve the squad rather than signing 1 off expensive players.

by Bathite Tue 02 Apr 2013, 4:00 pm

formerly known as Sam wrote:Bath do seem to be recruiting brightly. First time for everything I suppose. You guys should have a really nice looking squad for next season. Ditching the over priced average journeymen in Taylor and Donald is a really positive move and should fund your reorganization. How many players required new contracts ahead of next season?

Taylor has been immense for us, many want him to stay, but he'll be replaced by Leroy Houston, who might be great, but many could argue is an average journeymen.

by Bathman_in_London Wed 03 Apr 2013, 11:46 am

http://www.bathrugby.com/news/team-news/bath-rugby-announce-signing-of-matt-garvey

Garvey confirmed. The squad is taking shape nicely.

by HongKongCherry Wed 03 Apr 2013, 12:11 pm

Bugger

Great signing for you and it'll be interesting to see if you play him more as a lock or a 6.

by Scrumpy Wed 03 Apr 2013, 12:13 pm

by Bathite Wed 03 Apr 2013, 12:16 pm

HongKongCherry wrote:Bugger :furious:

Great signing for you and it'll be interesting to see if you play him more as a lock or a 6.

Yeah it will be interesting now that Attwood is signed up, not sure on Caldwell's contract, but we'll have Attwood and Day as first choice, Hooper behind them. I reckon we'll mix it up, depending on Flo and Attwood's international situation. Personally I think he won't start ahead of Day or Attwood at lock or Fearns / Louw at 6, but we will have to see. A great squad option though, won't let us down, more brutality and more depth, good news.

by Sgt_Pooly Wed 03 Apr 2013, 12:25 pm

Always thought Garvey looked better at lock, good signing though. Attwood has looked tidy lately and make a top pairing

by Bathite Wed 03 Apr 2013, 12:30 pm

You reckon Pooly? Is Garvey much of a jumper, he's a big old lump. Hooper runs it for us at the moment, although he doesn't deserve the start and Day is tidy in the air.

Getting a good old pack together now though

James / Catt
Webber / Guinaza
Wilson / Orlandi
Attwood / Day
Garvey / Hooper / Caldwell
Fearns / Garvey
Louw / Gilbert / Mercer
Houston / Koster / Taylor

by Bathman_in_London Wed 03 Apr 2013, 12:45 pm

Would he not start ahead of Fearns at 6 Bathite? Fearns is injured again isnt he but before that I thought he was looking as if he hadn't got up to speed from his last injury and was looking a bit too bulky.

HKC, you did beat us to Kvesic's signature, now that would have really added something to our pack.

by Sgt_Pooly Wed 03 Apr 2013, 1:12 pm

I don't think he's a great jumper but a decent option.

Always thought he was a bit too big for 6 but Alberts kind of dispels that myth.

Missed a bad tackle on Gaskell at weekend.

by Guest Wed 03 Apr 2013, 2:25 pm

Garvey is a great signing; young, English and aggressive. A pack of James, Webber, Wilson, Attwood, Garvey is a fearsome front five. We need to sort the balance of the back row and that pack will compete with anybody. Joseph coming into midfield, gives more options and providing we are lucky with injuries next season is looking hopeful and will renew my ST with a little more optimism for next season.

The Bath defence conceded one of the lowest number of points this season but we do need to replace Davis with an attack coach

Although the next month of fixtures will show us how far we need to travel.....

by HongKongCherry Wed 03 Apr 2013, 4:27 pm

Bathman_in_London wrote:Would he not start ahead of Fearns at 6 Bathite? Fearns is injured again isnt he but before that I thought he was looking as if he hadn't got up to speed from his last injury and was looking a bit too bulky.

HKC, you did beat us to Kvesic's signature, now that would have really added something to our pack.

I suppose I shouldn't be too greedy! I'll just have to wait for Elliott Stooke to be our lump, at just shy of 18st, 6'6" and 19 years hopefully I won't have to wait too long.

You're putting together a pretty decent squad, but for me it will all depend upon your half backs. We're both being linked to Tavis Knoyle and whilst he's a good player, I don't feel we need him when we have Cowan and Robson. Knoyle and Ford would make plenty of mistakes initially and may lack experience, but given time they could build a very effective partnership.

by Guest Wed 03 Apr 2013, 4:38 pm

At scrum half, Cook should be given more gametime, he is a big lad with a good pass of either hand and not afraid to have a go around the fringes. He has been waiting for his chance and now is that time rather than recruit externally. We probably need another hooker and we should bring Brooker back from Quins.

by Bathite Wed 03 Apr 2013, 5:10 pm

Another hooker with Webber, Guinaza, Batty and young Dunn on the books? Think we are ok there to be honest.

Whoever we sign at SH could well be crucial to the whole season, with Ford and Heathcote being the 10 options, we need someone to take on serious responsibility at 9, maybe even goalkick. I'm dreaming that Fourie Du Preez would be the perfect option and I think a Saffa is quite likely, Sarel Pretorious, Vermaak, Houghaard, Devenage, McLeod perhaps?

by formerly known as Sam Wed 03 Apr 2013, 5:30 pm

Micky Young was supposedly heading your way. McLeod would be a great fit if you could steal him from the Sharks. An experienced option should be high on the priority list as both 10s are young.

by Guest Wed 03 Apr 2013, 8:02 pm

I had forgotten about Guinaza at hooker. I do hope Cook gets a fair crack at SH though.

by Bathman_in_London Thu 04 Apr 2013, 10:05 am

I think Cook is a good player too Recwatcher, he hasn't had too many chances though and when he has, he hasn't set the world alight.

Both him and Ovens were good at England U20 level and haven't featured much. I hope they both get a decent run of games next season, Bath have a real history of not hanging onto young players who then perform well for other clubs.

An experienced 10 would be good Sam, but both Heathcote and Ford will be wanting game time, when would they play? I would hate to lose Heathcote to Edinburgh because he was sitting on the bench to let a journeyman 10 get some game time.

by Bathman_in_London Fri 05 Apr 2013, 2:32 pm

Team vs Stade:

15. Ollie Devoto

14. Nick Abendanon

13. Horacio Agulla

12. Kyle Eastmond

11. Tom Biggs

10. Stephen Donald

9. Peter Stringer

1. Paul James

2. Rob Webber

3. David Wilson

4. Stuart Hooper ( c )

5. Dominic Day

6. Simon Taylor

7. Francois Louw

8. Ben Skirving

Replacements

16. Ross Batty

17. Nathan Catt

18. Anthony Perenise

19. Will Spencer

20. Nick Koster

21. Michael Claassens

22. Tom Heathcote

23. Jack Cuthbert

I presume Attwood hasn't recovered from his knock. Donald will last no longer than 50 minutes again I think.

by bluestonevedder Fri 05 Apr 2013, 2:47 pm

Feanrs injured, or just taking a rest?

by formerly known as Sam Fri 05 Apr 2013, 3:11 pm

An experienced 10 would be good Sam, but both Heathcote and Ford will be wanting game time, when would they play? I would hate to lose Heathcote to Edinburgh because he was sitting on the bench to let a journeyman 10 get some game time.

I was discussing 9s so when I said they needed an experienced option I meant a scrum half, someone to help guide the young 10s and take some of the pressure off their shoulders.

by Bathman_in_London Fri 05 Apr 2013, 3:17 pm

Fearns in injured again, as is Banahan. Lost a lot of bulk and ball carrying there. That team doesn't inspire me with confidence really.

Crossed wires Sam. I thought you meant Bath should try and sing Nick MacLeod, the sale Fh/FB.

by bluestonevedder Fri 05 Apr 2013, 3:30 pm

Another injury for Fearns doesn't bode well. How long is he out for? Banahan missing from the midfield is worrying- he was starting to hit a rich vein of form again.

Front row looks very strong. Abendanon on the wing though? seriously?

by Bathite Fri 05 Apr 2013, 3:56 pm

Bendy's fine on the wing, he's played well for the Saxons there. It's a hatchet job on the backline though because of injuries and because Roko can't be registered for Euro games

by bluestonevedder Fri 05 Apr 2013, 4:09 pm

Didn't realise he'd played there before. Thought he was very much and out and out fullback.

Agulla in the centre will be interesting to see- even though he's a bit of a bruiser, stature-wise it's quite a small midfield.

Haven't heard of this lad Devoto though. Any good?

by Bathman_in_London Fri 05 Apr 2013, 4:17 pm

Its definitely a bit of a patched up team due to injuries. Devoto at FB does also offer another kicking option, as Donald hasn't looked comfortable putting boot to ball.

bluestone, Devoto played at FB for the england u20's in some of their recent games. He is a Fh/FB type of player I guess, more Alex Goode than Bendy.
Quite a big lad too, hopefully he can develop into a decent player.

by Guest Fri 05 Apr 2013, 4:23 pm

Is Woodburn injured ? I would have thought Eastmond to wing with Williams or Hipkiss in the centre, which would allow Abendanon to FB. Devoto is a talent but not sure FB is his real position. Banahan and Fearns are big losses for Bath. Hopefully the pack can do the business.

by bluestonevedder Fri 05 Apr 2013, 4:51 pm

Nice one, thanks for the info Bathman

by Sgt_Pooly Sat 06 Apr 2013, 2:15 pm

Not looking great

by Bathman_in_London Mon 08 Apr 2013, 11:02 am

Well nevermind.

Bath were second best thoughout the game, individually there were some decent performances, but it didn't look to me as if we had a joined up game plan. Far too many turnovers conceded and a real lack of ideas at halfback.

That was the first time I'd seen Parisse play in a club game for a while, I wondered if he would stand out as much as he does for Italy. It turns out he does, what a great player. The fact his opposite number was Ben Skirving sums up the game in many ways, one average but willing team vs one with a bigger cheque book and higher basic skills.

Also, on the spitting, I hope he is banned for a while, disgusting.

by Scrumpy Mon 08 Apr 2013, 2:57 pm

Is Baths season still going?

I gave up on it around xmas, Roll on next year.

by Hood83 Tue 09 Apr 2013, 7:03 am

Bathman_in_London wrote:http://www.bathrugby.com/news/team-news/bath-rugby-announce-signing-of-matt-garvey

Garvey confirmed. The squad is taking shape nicely.

The squad is, shame about the coaches Wink

by Bathite Tue 09 Apr 2013, 8:20 am

Just missing an attack coach I think

by Scrumpy Wed 10 Apr 2013, 11:13 am

Stringer signs for Bath.

Great news if he can pass on some of his experiance and skills to our younger players then its a win win.

Thoughts Gents?

by Bathite Wed 10 Apr 2013, 11:48 am

Still think we need another 9, someone in between Stringer and Cook, like Roberts and YOung that have been suggested. Personally, I think we need to throw marquee cash at a 9 and use Stringer as 2nd choice. We need leadership and direction from 9, because our 10s are going to be kids

by sirtidychris Wed 10 Apr 2013, 12:46 pm

Totally agree, Stringer and Cook looks a bit weak, with stringer being awesome so far but old and Cook being inexpericed think we need to stop spending on the pack now and cement a world class 9 with our last bit of cash...In a wishfull thinking world Mike Phillips would be good, especially if our 10/12 channel is going to be comprised by a Ford/Eastmond midget combo!

P.s when is Ford going to confirm he's signed....such a wierd saga !

by Bathite Wed 10 Apr 2013, 1:00 pm

Oh god, not Phillips!

Possible, seeming as his France trip seems to be a disaster. I'd prefer the organiser, general type, with a good tactical kicking game, maybe even a goal kicker. Ideal world Fourie Du Preez or Parra, but that's dreamworld

by Bathman_in_London Wed 10 Apr 2013, 3:14 pm

He is a good player and still has someting to offer but...we need another SH in there and frankly Mickey Young doesnt fill me with confidence.

An attack coach now please Bruce.

by Scrumpy Fri 12 Apr 2013, 11:35 am

Stade scrum half gets a 14 week ban, not long enough for me.

by PJHolybloke Fri 12 Apr 2013, 11:03 pm

Glaws get ponced by Sale. Puts Bath's result up there into perspective.. No?

by Bathman_in_London Mon 15 Apr 2013, 9:38 am

Another limp performance. The game plan seems to be stop the opposition from playing until we are a couple of tries behind and then throw it around a bit, allowing the defence to simply fan out and wait for yet another 1 out runner.

I really hope the coaching staff gets a boot up the backside.

by sirtidychris Mon 15 Apr 2013, 10:21 am

To be honest I was always expecting bath to lose these last three games, the top three teams are simply too good and with a full team we may push them a little but missing Webber, fearns, banahan, abendanon and Biggs we have no chance. We will get royally spanked by sarries and tigers, which I may not even check the scores. I think its still early days for the coaching team and while I don't think they have done a terrible job with the inherited squad they definately lack an attack/backs coach, who isn't a bloody forward. Maybe money can be found to bring in Wayne smith!!

by Sponsored content