NEWS: Teams UP: AW Cup Semi Final Bath v Saints

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Injury update:
Alex Waller, James Craig, Tom Wood, Christian Day and Luther Burrell are all unavailable for selection.



Tuala
Tuitavake
Horne
Francis
Foden
Myler
Reinach

Ma'afu
Marshall
Brookes
Ratuniyarawa
Ribbans
Gibson
Brussow
Harrison

Clare, Van Wyk, Ford-Robinson, Paterson, Nutley, Groom, Stephenson, Pisi



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2018:03:08:11:57:52 by tedge.

Well not too many changes from what I thought last Sunday. Harry not about so Tuitavake in, also no Mikey so Reeece in it.
Like the looks of the backs could be good?
Pack looks OK as well if we can keep moving theirs?

Bath team,

15. Tom Homer

14. Darren Atkins

13. Will Hurrell

12. James Wilson

11. Cooper Vuna

10. Josh Lewis

9. Chris Cook

1. Beno Obano

2. Nathan Charles

3. Max Lahiff

4. Levi Douglas

5. Charlie Ewels (c)

6. Tom Ellis

7. Josh Bayliss

8. James Phillips

Replacements

16. Michael van Vuuren

17. Nathan Catt

18. Henry Thomas

19. Elliott Stooke

20. Paul Grant

21. Kahn Fotuali’i

22. Aled Brew

23. Matt Banahan

Must be nice to only have 5 players missing through injury

Slightly surprised there's no Mallinder, who isn't listed as injured, but perhaps his and Haywood's absences are a token nod to "development" or they are just rested for unknown reasons.

Looking forward too seeing Francis in his better position!

With Myler directing the game I hope too see Francis playing heads up rugby.

I despair. After all the comments on Saturday about the performance, especially the first half, some of those players still get another go.

Not to start Stephenson is madness, we need 'dog' and defence he brings. Our open door policy has to stop.

The constant non selection of mallinder makes me wonder if there’s a deeper issue! Picked by eddie jones but not us

Francis is actually a pretty tenacious defender so don't see a problem there.

Not sure who else we could of selected to be honest??
We don't have a lot of options.

Obano the only first choice player for Bath, everyone else 2nd, 3rd, 4th choice...

Quote:

ballsout
Obano the only first choice player for Bath, everyone else 2nd, 3rd, 4th choice...

No one is biting on any of your comments! Please feel free to return to your own forum where they don’t bite or approve of your comments either

Quote:

Nath-coys
Francis is actually a pretty tenacious defender so don't see a problem there.

look at the footage of the kick through and Yarde's try last weekend, and the non chasing back

Pretty much all of our players have been guilty of poor poor play this year.
I could list instances pretty much all day.

People are calling for Stephenson too play, I like him and think he is a good player. But could point to plenty of poor play from him also.

However I try to think and focus on what I think they can bring to the game.
And I think Francis had a very good second half last week and his passing and decision making was something we haven't seen from a 12 at saints this year

The Bath bench is very strong. Being in the lead come 60 mins would be advisable.

Pleased to see Marshall starting, I think he's looked good this season and if we can bring him on a bit, it takes the pressure off of Mikey playing 80 (or 79) minutes every week when Dylan's away.

I think it's a real shame not to see the likes of Ludlam, Collins, Moon, Hill and Mitchell playing in games like this, even if it is just a bench spot. They may be young but they have, for the most part, looked better than their older, more experienced counterparts at times this season. Not to mention that some of them can't have played in weeks, Dicken's spoke about squad players not getting enough game time, well this was an opportunity to give them some.

I'd have liked to have seen Stephenson start too, although I can understand wanting to test out the Myler 10, Francis 12 axis a little more.

Wot no North? *

Incidentally, I know someone says it every week, but what do Collins, Elliot, and Hill have to do to make the squad. Also what is Ludlam up to at the moment?




FHS

I understand peoples misgivings for not playing some less experienced players, but surely the club have to go all out to win this cup to put a gloss on the season?! Something positive is urgently required and I fully support the notion of playing the best squad we can right now.

I do think the side never looks as good when Harry's not in it though. For all the mistakes he can make, he still adds some spark and commitment that many others lack. Assume he is not playing due to being with England again?

Still a big ask for tomorrow I fear.

Couple of things that will make the difference.
Mental attitude when they step out on the pitch - need a bloody good team talk.
SM giving PF room to play not standing deep and just shipping ball to him.
The front five need to play out of their skin really aggressive and confrontational
The back row have to win the breakdown (That includes you Mr G )

Just shows that 'Talk's cheap'

When are the coaches going to be held accountable - it's no good keep saying that players need to pull up their socks or face being dropped and then continue to pick them regardless of performance.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2018:03:08:14:31:34 by SuffolkSaint.

Quote:

SaintsMan87
The constant non selection of mallinder makes me wonder if there’s a deeper issue! Picked by eddie jones but not us

Constant? He was ill last week, no explanation this week but don’t see a trend of him not being selected

I do agree that it's a shame Lewis isn't getting more of a chance, particularly as he had such a strong start to the season, however we don't know how his illness has impacted on him. He may not be featuring on the injured list but is he yet recovered enough for first class rugby but then we must of course respect his privacy.

Tom Collins is a mystery to me as to why he doesn't feature. We were stuffed for pace last week by Yarde and Solomona, hey arguably our quickest available and wanting to play wing doesn't get a look in.

I've been an admirer of Tom Stephenson since he first started to appear in the Wandies at probably about 17, however for me he just doesn't cut it by virtue of the fact that he doesn't often pass and seems to try and beat everyone every time so it doesn't matter if we have Usain Bolt or Garry Pearce on the wing the result is always the same. The ball doesn't get that far. And with respect to Tom he isn't Alan Bateman.

Lewis is 100% fit and desperate for game time.

Quote:

Dragonboy
I do agree that it's a shame Lewis isn't getting more of a chance, particularly as he had such a strong start to the season, however we don't know how his illness has impacted on him. He may not be featuring on the injured list but is he yet recovered enough for first class rugby but then we must of course respect his privacy.
Tom Collins is a mystery to me as to why he doesn't feature. We were stuffed for pace last week by Yarde and Solomona, hey arguably our quickest available and wanting to play wing doesn't get a look in.

I've been an admirer of Tom Stephenson since he first started to appear in the Wandies at probably about 17, however for me he just doesn't cut it by virtue of the fact that he doesn't often pass and seems to try and beat everyone every time so it doesn't matter if we have Usain Bolt or Garry Pearce on the wing the result is always the same. The ball doesn't get that far. And with respect to Tom he isn't Alan Bateman.

I am fairly sure Chris Boyd will want to encourage a fast off-loading game and off-loading is Stephenson's prime weakness (he is not alone). Gaffney inferred that it's too late to change his style so whether that's a challenge for Boyd or a non-starter is unknown.

Big fan of the young guys but I think we wil haemorrhage them this summer. Have heard Hutchinson to Glasgow and Stephenson to Ealing Trailfinders.

Would be a real shame to lose Hutchinson in particular... I bet he'd really kick on at Glasgow if the rumour is true!

When we played Glasgow in the friendly I was up there in the press box. Rory had played in the friendlies and had scored a few tries. Glasgow were very keen on him as he was obviously Scotland qualified.

That side, assuming Mikey is unable to play, is the strongest side we have available in the eyes of the coaches. Exactly as expected. Wrong on so many levels. Persistent failure is rewarded. First choice players are not rested. Development/squad players are discouraged just when they would be raring to go.

What must the likes of Paul Hill, Lewis Ludlam, Tom Collins and Mitch Eadie be thinking? Or the younger prospects who have seen their counterparts in other clubs getting game time? Why remain at Saints if you want to play rugby and be developed? Will we play Lawes and Hartley in the A league latter stages so we can claim some silverware?

I do still hope we win the match and I do accept the obvious point that we are trying to salvage something from our season, but just can't suppress a feeling of embarrassment when I look at the Bath team. I'm going to the Rec, so will put up with none of my own arguments from the locals!

All that said, I agree with SaintMaul, the Bath bench is very strong. I expect James Wilson will have a point to prove and Hurrell is a strong runner. Their front row, bench and starting, could pose us problems and I'm not confident about Reece Marshall in the set piece. The Bath youngsters in their pack, Ellis, Bayliss and Douglas are eye-catching players and may combine well with the experience of Phillips and Ewels. Our Myler/Francis pairing is overdue and may be crucial, but I wonder whether our experience and class in the back row battle will be the deciding difference. Could be close.

Think we will win. Scrum improved since last played them, we will be keen to start well.

For those travelling the forecast looks now to be rather wet, make sure you take some waterproofs especially if you are on their east stand!

Nothing new there then, Chris.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2018:03:08:18:29:57 by twsaint.

Quote:

Walks11

Quote:

SaintsMan87
The constant non selection of mallinder makes me wonder if there’s a deeper issue! Picked by eddie jones but not us

Constant? He was ill last week, no explanation this week but don’t see a trend of him not being selected

More a reference to him being picked once during 6 nations period

Spot on!

Quote:

OlneySaint2
That side, assuming Mikey is unable to play, is the strongest side we have available in the eyes of the coaches. Exactly as expected. Wrong on so many levels. Persistent failure is rewarded. First choice players are not rested. Development/squad players are discouraged just when they would be raring to go.
What must the likes of Paul Hill, Lewis Ludlam, Tom Collins and Mitch Eadie be thinking? Or the younger prospects who have seen their counterparts in other clubs getting game time? Why remain at Saints if you want to play rugby and be developed? Will we play Lawes and Hartley in the A league latter stages so we can claim some silverware?

I do still hope we win the match and I do accept the obvious point that we are trying to salvage something from our season, but just can't suppress a feeling of embarrassment when I look at the Bath team. I'm going to the Rec, so will put up with none of my own arguments from the locals!

All that said, I agree with SaintMaul, the Bath bench is very strong. I expect James Wilson will have a point to prove and Hurrell is a strong runner. Their front row, bench and starting, could pose us problems and I'm not confident about Reece Marshall in the set piece. The Bath youngsters in their pack, Ellis, Bayliss and Douglas are eye-catching players and may combine well with the experience of Phillips and Ewels. Our Myler/Francis pairing is overdue and may be crucial, but I wonder whether our experience and class in the back row battle will be the deciding difference. Could be close.

What younger prospects could we of choose?

Hill gets pasted at scrum time, I actually think he looks more like a loose head than a tighthead.

Do agree about TC and Eadie and Ludlam though.

I'd love to see one or two more youngsters but , more than anything, I want a win.

I've got a drive from Kent to Bath via Hayling Island and then a meet up with a mate from distant student days prior to the game . But, as I said, more than anything I want a win.

Ooooh, you don’t want to go via Hayling Island, it’s a huge cul de sac!

Unless you’re checking a boat.

Wot no Collins.


No *

Even a win would be Pyrrhic against a very weakened Bath.

Completely agree with above ref younger players getting a shot in a meaningful game.

Unfortunately sums up the desperation of the coaches and state of the season to make safe selectIons. I fear it might work the other way, fresh, motivated lads with a point to prove would have been nice to see.

Quote:

Saint James
Completely agree with above ref younger players getting a shot in a meaningful game.
Unfortunately sums up the desperation of the coaches and state of the season to make safe selectIons. I fear it might work the other way, fresh, motivated lads with a point to prove would have been nice to see.

There is no younger players available.

Again, harsh on a few squad players Ludlam and TC in particular for me.