BATH RUGBY - 2013/14

First topic message reminder :

New Thread for the new season - https://www.606v2.com/t54781-bath-rugby-pre-season-2014-15

Andrew Higgins retires

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/24435639

He wasn't a bad player for us, up until the white powder incident.

Also a good win for the A team last night, albeit against weak opposition. I am glad to see we are taking that a bit more seriously this year, makes it far easier to build a winning squad mentality and hopefully means players can step up to the first team more easily.

Heathcote had an absolute blinder by all accounts..great touchline conversions, sumptuous passing and a try or 2.

Hopefully he will get a decent amount of game time during the Amlin block. Real competition for places can only be good for the team.

Whats the situation with Caldwell these days - injured?

Also when is his contract up.

With the likely retirement of Muller and even with Henderson moving to the 2nd row Ulster will be on the look out for an IQ 2nd row for next year as we will only have 3 good enough without a signing.

Caldwell is injured at the moment, he would have played last Friday if fit. He signed a new contract in December 2012, but it didn't say for how long, I would imagine 2 years is likely though, so he could be available end of this season. He's played well for us whilst Attwood was in poor form and/or injured, but Day and Attwood are ahead of him on merit, whilst we persist with Hooper, our captain and lineout man, so that leaves Caldwell very much in 4th.

Thanks - I think his oldest step child is coming up to 8 or so.
If he plans to come home he probably needs to do it so they are settled in before the 11+ (we still have it here).

Would be an obvious replacement for us

He talked alot about a year ago about how much he loved his new family life in Bath. I guess he could re-sign, dependant upon Heineken rugby perhaps and whether we sign another lock?

http://www.bathrugby.com/news/team-news/biggs-confirms-cross-code-switch

No! Biggsy!

I suppose seeing as he was unlikely to play for England, why not have a go playing for your home town club. A real shame though, if all our players had his attitude on the pitch we would go far.

Not a surprise, but I'll miss his hair blowing in the wind.  

Caldwell has always said he would like to have a crack at the Ireland team.

Given the lack of young bucks in Ireland - Henderson is the only one under 30 definitely good enough imo so there could be an outside chance but only if he returns to Ireland.
The only others, remotely good enough who are under 30 - Toner, Tuohy and Stevenson are players Caldwell should not be afraid of in terms of surpassing.

Will be one of many factors he will consider.

I checked the fans forum, his contract runs out 2015 apparently

ok thanks

Bath Rugby team to face Bordeaux-Bègles

15 Gavin Henson

14 Semesa Rokoduguni

13 Jonathan Joseph

12 Ben Williams

11 Tom Biggs

10 George Ford

9 Martin Roberts

8 Carl Fearns

7 Francois Louw (c)

6 Alafoti Fa'osiliva

5 Will Spencer

4 Matt Garvey

3 David Wilson

2 Ross Batty

1 Anthony Perenise

Replacements

16 Eusebio Guinazu

17 Paul James

18 Juan Pablo Orlandi

19 Ryan Caldwell

20 Will Skuse

21 Peter Stringer

22 Ollie Devoto

23 Tom Heathcote


Not a bad team, first starts for Louw, Williams and Roberts as well as the Argie front rowers on the bench along with Caldwell appearing for the first time this season.
Hopefully we have enough there to sneak the away win, it would be nice to go on a decent cup run this season.

I'll be stunned if you don't win, Bordeaux are a pretty weak team who'll be happy to miss relegation in the T14

An away win in France (the only away team to win in France across both comps?), no major injuries and no LBP for them. All in all a pretty good day at the office although maybe a little too much aerial ping pong for my liking.

So... the Dragons up next who are coming in hot off the back of a big win, could be a good game. I would like to see Agulla get a run out before he disappears again for the AI's.

But most importantly, Superfrans Louw is back and was at his best!

Well until we lose him for the AI's too!

Any predictions for this one lads ? I don't see us turning you over unless our forwards have another big performance but would be disapointed if we don't come away with a LBP

Bath win by more than 7pts

Well that was enlightening...

Certainly a detailed response...!

Clearly it will depend on what team is picked but if we assume its broadly similar to last weeks team I would like to think Bath have too much for you up front. The Argies will all be keen to lay down a marker and I'm sure Caldwell will too. I would guess we will put out another fairly strong team and then have some real rotation for the Mogalino game.

 

Bathman_in_London wrote:Certainly a detailed response...!

Clearly it will depend on what team is picked but if we assume its broadly similar to last weeks team I would like to think Bath have too much for you up front. The Argies will all be keen to lay down a marker and I'm sure Caldwell will too. I would guess we will put out another fairly strong team and then have some real rotation for the Mogalino game.

Thanks, a bit of detail is always nice

Is your pack alot stronger than the one from the 'friendly' then ? We are down a few first choice forwards

Sorry I don't have a crystal ball, but if Bath turn up then they should win and win well but as we all know rugby doesn't always go like that (certainly not Bath!) but we should win by a clear score hence my by more than 7.

You did ask for a prediction, not how do you see the game unfolding!  

I was looking for your reeasoning. If we 'show up, doesn't that counter you showing up ?

munkian wrote:I was looking for your reeasoning. If we 'show up, doesn't that counter you showing up ?

I don't think the Dragons will turn up, Bath have enough in the pack to beat most teams this season its whether or not Ford turns up.

Also you did ask for a prediction, not reeasoning! 

*sigh* I'll leave this witty repartee' for the other thread

munkian wrote:Any predictions for this one lads ?

Thats what you asked for?  

Some folk are strange!

Scrumpy how do you rate your form then? I think Bath will win this one because their form at home is good. I would consider Dragons to be around London Irish level or just slightly better at the moment, and Bath got a convincing win over them. They've also beat Tigers at home. Away from home they didn't really do a job on newly promoted Newcastle, and lost to Sale who have been quite rubbish lately, including a big loss to Saracens. We're yet to see anyone really stick the boot into Dragons yet.
A win in France is nothing to be sniffed at, the result seems as if Bath were able to grind out a win in an alternative situation. Dragons are a lot better with their new coaching team, so the result should be nothing like it was during that LV cup game at Rodney Parade. They'll be without Dixon in midfield and the U20 star has been a revelation thus far. Some others have been out and we're awaiting to hear if they will be available. Any more cropped players then I hold much less hope.

I must be missing something with Jack Dixon. There's no doubt he's got loads of potential, but I wouldn't say he's been particularly brilliant this season - yet. People are touting him for a Wales callup but it's too soon for him.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:I must be missing something with Jack Dixon. There's no doubt he's got loads of potential, but I wouldn't say he's been particularly brilliant this season - yet. People are touting him for a Wales callup but it's too soon for him.

Just the same as Blouse fans big up Patchell to be fair. For me (and it seems the players), the most important centre we have is Pat Leach (our defensive leader).

I can see why Bath fans think they might beat us by more than 7. They will expect to out maul and scrummage us. They've probably seen we are possibly a bit lightweight in the centre, so I wouldn't be surprised to see them pick a Banahan type to run down that channel.

Bananaman couldn't tackle Shane Williams, I wouldn't be that worried  

 

Wish I wasn't away now. Love a Thatchers, especially at that price.

Bath Rugby wrote:
And for the adults, there will be first team players pulling pints in the Swift Half pre-match, with a happy hour running from 13.00 – 14.00. During this hour, pints of Thatchers and Wadworth will be just £2.50. And the good times continue post-match not only because more players will be found in the Swift Half, but because there will also be a Tom Jones tribute act singing live as the festivities really kick into gear. With our Welsh counterparts coming to town, we just couldn't resist!

Risca Rev wrote: 

Wish I wasn't away now. Love a Thatchers, especially at that price.

Bath Rugby wrote:
And for the adults, there will be first team players pulling pints in the Swift Half pre-match, with a happy hour running from 13.00 – 14.00. During this hour, pints of Thatchers and Wadworth will be just £2.50. And the good times continue post-match not only because more players will be found in the Swift Half, but because there will also be a Tom Jones tribute act singing live as the festivities really kick into gear. With our Welsh counterparts coming to town, we just couldn't resist!

Tom Jones ? Where's the GLC ?

Bath should win this one and win it well.

Their form has been patchy away from home but at the Rec they've been very good. Beating Tigers and hammering London Irish for example.

The Saint you say Bath didn't do a job on Newcastle - they beat them 21-0......

Bath's potential weakness in recent weeks has been the backrow in my opinion but with Louw and Fearns back they should be just fine in that area.

The battle of the back rows should be a good one, even with Nic Cudd out.

I don't expect to win this but I'd be hugely annoyed if its anything like the drubbing we got off them last season.

Our backrow isn't exactly weak mind.

beshocked wrote:Bath should win this one and win it well.

Their form has been patchy away from home but at the Rec they've been very good. Beating Tigers and hammering London Irish for example.

The Saint you say Bath didn't do a job on Newcastle - they beat them 21-0......

Bath's potential weakness in recent weeks has been the backrow in my opinion but with Louw and Fearns back they should be just fine in that area.

Your second statement is exactly what I sad Beshocked. 21-0 is a good win, but the TBP eluded Bath when they should have got it. Tigers were able to give newly promoted LW a drubbing in last season's opening game.

Dragons back-row/back 5 is very good at the breakdown and around the field, the pack is just a little lightweight.

I have heard Louw is likely not to play in this game to keep him fresh ( the main focus will be to win the Gloucester game in couple of weeks time), so it will be interesting to see what side gets put out.

With regards to the Newcastle game, it was horizontal rain, 1st game of the season and Bath nilled the home side, the way we let Irish and Leicester back into games in the second half was far more concerning for me.

Is this on the red button does anybody know?

If it's not on the red button, it should be.

Nope, not on the red button.

 FFS, not seen any Amlin games yet

Treat yourself to Zebre v Connacht, Sky are showing that.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Treat yourself to Zebre v Connacht, Sky are showing that.

That is why the HC needs a kick up the ass.

Mouth watering as a Jacobs’s cracker

Is the "swift half" in the Bath clubhouse? - going over for this & fancy post match sing song:shock: 

I think it IS their clubhouse

Bath Rugby team to face Newport

15. Nick Abendanon ( c )
14. Richard Lane
13. Matt Banahan
12. Gavin Henson
11. Tom Biggs
10. Tom Heathcote
9. Martin Roberts
1. Anthony Perenise
2. Ross Batty
3. David Wilson
4. Will Spencer
5. Ryan Caldwell
6. Will Skuse
7. Alafoti Fa'osiliva
8. Carl Fearns

Replacements

16. Eusebio Guinazu
17. Paul James
18. Juan Pablo Orlandi
19. Stuart Hooper
20. Mat Gilbert
21. Peter Stringer
22. George Ford
23. Jonathan Joseph

Very strong bench

No wonder Hersh thinks a bigger than 7 point win, if he thinks they're playing a semi pro team. Now I understand  

Solid win from bath in a messy rain soaked rec, our pack, decimated by injuries, dominated the newport boys in the second half which laid the platform for the win. A good game by the forgotten man heathcote who made a great break to start the first try and nailed 16 points worth of kicks. All in all a mainly 2nd string bath outmuscled newport while abendanon, banahan, fearns, caldwell and the argies gave a good a account of themselves on comeback from injury and touring. In addition Fa’osiliva is proving himself to be an awesome last minute signing whilst toby faletau really stood out as being a class apart on the losing team.

Good win for Bath, brave fight from Newport in the 1st half but they simple didn't have the fire power to beat Baths 2nd XV