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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2023:09:26:10:24:10 by CoochieCoo.

Another great article from Devonport Boy!

I hope we don't get The Four Seasons in one day, as tonight's Points West weather report is warning!

Great write up. Thanks, DB.

So with everyone fit, the game on tv, pre season drawing to a close, what sort of team are we all expecting? Maybe something like:

Gallagher McCon Butt Mojo Muir Bailey Spencer
Obano Dunn Jonker McNally Ewels Hill Underhill/Cloete Barbeary/Reid

Hard to know how hard we’ll go but I’d expect a first run out for a lot of the first XV.

2024/25 adoptee: Guy Pepper

Excellent review....... really looking forward to the game !

Adopted Player 2018/19 Ross Batty
Adopted Player 2019/20 Jack Davies
Adopted Player 2020/21 Cam Redpath
Adopted Player 2021/22 Darren Atkins
Adopted Player 2022/23 Gabriel Hamer-Webb
Adopted Player 2023/24 Tom Carr-Smith
Adopted Player 2024/25 Max Ojomoh

"AN OUNCE OF ACTION IS WORTH A TON OF THEORY"
FRIEDRICH ENGELS

This one on the new Discovery + TNT I think?

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

Quote:

dr.bath1865
Great write up. Thanks, DB.
So with everyone fit, the game on tv, pre season drawing to a close, what sort of team are we all expecting? Maybe something like:

Gallagher McCon Butt Mojo Muir Bailey Spencer
Obano Dunn Jonker McNally Ewels Hill Underhill/Cloete Barbeary/Reid

Hard to know how hard we’ll go but I’d expect a first run out for a lot of the first XV.

Don't think that it will contain anywhere near that number of Senior players but I may be wrong

Another mix of youth & experience I expect.
Chron forecasting Richards as skipper again.

PG

Not just the Chron. The offie in its match preview has the following:

After leading his team out for the first time in Penzance, Ewan Richards will once again lead from the front in a huge occasion as he runs out at his boyhood club.

After being highly limited in his game time last year (mostly because of fitness) this does feel like the management investing in Richards, which is great to see. I'm sure he's not a starting lock come the Prem, but getting him to lead the PRC team and having some consistency there seems that at least we've got a plan here.

[www.youtube.com]
Jersey Highlighjts v London Scottish

Don't kick it pick it up and GO FORWARD

Quote:

hasta
After being highly limited in his game time last year (mostly because of fitness) this does feel like the management investing in Richards, which is great to see. I'm sure he's not a starting lock come the Prem, but getting him to lead the PRC team and having some consistency there seems that at least we've got a plan here.

Interesting article.

[www.somersetlive.co.uk]

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

Good article on richards, know a few people at the club who says he is such a lovely young bloke.

Interesting that he reiterates he prefers 6 and thinks he is a better player there.

I agree with him. Soon much backrow competition though he may be better focusing on lock for now.

In reality I am hoping his ability to do both, combined with jvg liking 6:2 splits gives him a good chance of making plenty of matchday squads in the prem/champions cup

Team Up. Reshuffle of same squad from last weekend.

Bath Rugby: 15 Sam Harris, 14 Gabe Goss, 13 Max Wright, 12 Will Butt, 11 Will Muir, 10 George Worboys, 9 Tom Carr-Smith; 1 Arthur Cordwell, 2 Jasper Spandler, 3 Kieran Verden, 4 Fergus Lee-Warner, 5 Ewan Richards ©, 6 JJ Tonks, 7 Ethan Staddon, 8 Jaco Coetzee

Replacements: 16 John Stewart, 17 Scott Kirk, 18 Mikey Summerfield, 19 Nahum Merigan, 20 Thompson Cowan, 21 Murdoch Lock, 22 Ciaran Donoghue, 23 Louie Hennessey

PG

Jersey Reds squad v Bath Rugby (A) 2023/24 Premiership Rugby Cup, pool C round 2, The Recreation Ground, Saturday September 16th, k-o 1pm (* competitive debut)

Backs (15-9)
Brendan Owen; Ben Woollett, Alex McHenry, Jordan Holgate, Robin Wedlake*; Russell Bennett, James Elliott.
Forwards (1-8)
Sam Grahamslaw, Daf Hughes, Stevie Longwell, John Hawkins, James Scott, Max Argyle, Lewis Wynne (capt), Alun Lawrence.

Replacements (16-23)
James Hadfield, Greg McGrath, Adam Nicol, Hallam Chapman, Thom Smith, Tim Grey; James Mitchell, Josh Barton*.

Some seriously big lads there!

Don't kick it pick it up and GO FORWARD

Does Summerfield playing both sides?
17 last week, 18 this week, with Kirk replacing Griffin in the 23.

Have to say, I'd very pleased Bath are (so far) taking this tourney the way I would want the Prem sides to. Very much 2nd/3rd choice seniors, with a scattering of academy and the odd 1st teamer returning from long-term injury - even at home!

A man who cannot change his mind, cannot change anything

RAEBURN SHIELD

Is it possible to record on Discovery?

"Unfortunately" I am at a wedding............as I will be for the week after as well

Quote:

Quel Carreleur
Have to say, I'd very pleased Bath are (so far) taking this tourney the way I would want the Prem sides to.

Yes, Exeter gone strong again (which of course is their choice) but do seem to be a few more academy lads in there. As we said last week, otherwise what's the point?

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

Quote:

BathMatt53
Yes, Exeter gone strong again (which of course is their choice) but do seem to be a few more academy lads in there. As we said last week, otherwise what's the point?

5 of Exeter's young players are playing for Pirates.

Quote:

Quel Carreleur
Does Summerfield playing both sides?
17 last week, 18 this week, with Kirk replacing Griffin in the 23.
!

Plays both sides apparently but think he has played more at loosehead.

Any idea if griffin injured or lost his place/ rotated? Sounds like he had a bit of a rough ride last week.

Agree about how we are using this tournament, v pleased. May have our work seriously cut out to get the win tomorrow.

In view of the calibre of the opposition.Championship winners, I’m a bit surprised that we haven’t given a run out to one or two more of our first team squad in order to match up the teams better. If a team of mostly novices & academy players can roll over last years championship winners it says something about the gulf in class, though Jersey may be playing mostly fringe players I guess.

Quote:

Bath Hammer
In view of the calibre of the opposition.Championship winners, I’m a bit surprised that we haven’t given a run out to one or two more of our first team squad in order to match up the teams better. If a team of mostly novices & academy players can roll over last years championship winners it says something about the gulf in class, though Jersey may be playing mostly fringe players I guess.

Too risky to play more senior players in a game that’s little more than a friendly. Reckon we’ll see most of them for the Edinburgh game when things are closer to being serious.

Quote:

OutsideBath

Quote:

Bath Hammer
In view of the calibre of the opposition.Championship winners, I’m a bit surprised that we haven’t given a run out to one or two more of our first team squad in order to match up the teams better. If a team of mostly novices & academy players can roll over last years championship winners it says something about the gulf in class, though Jersey may be playing mostly fringe players I guess.

Too risky to play more senior players in a game that’s little more than a friendly. Reckon we’ll see most of them for the Edinburgh game when things are closer to being serious.

Aren’t friendlies intended to develop match fitness or do we think it more likely to incur injuries against Jersey than Edinburgh.

Quote:

Bath Hammer
In view of the calibre of the opposition.Championship winners, I’m a bit surprised that we haven’t given a run out to one or two more of our first team squad in order to match up the teams better. If a team of mostly novices & academy players can roll over last years championship winners it says something about the gulf in class, though Jersey may be playing mostly fringe players I guess.

Great post mate. There seems to be a mismatch in prospect here. Jersey have picked a SERIOUSLY BIG & STRONG side with a 6:2 bench split and lost one league game last season. Tomorrow will be anything but a "friendly" with loads of academy players. Jersey's starting props were both in the Championship dream team and the bench tight head would start in most other teams.

Don't kick it pick it up and GO FORWARD

Quote:

Bath Hammer

Quote:

OutsideBath

Quote:

Bath Hammer
In view of the calibre of the opposition.Championship winners, I’m a bit surprised that we haven’t given a run out to one or two more of our first team squad in order to match up the teams better. If a team of mostly novices & academy players can roll over last years championship winners it says something about the gulf in class, though Jersey may be playing mostly fringe players I guess.

Too risky to play more senior players in a game that’s little more than a friendly. Reckon we’ll see most of them for the Edinburgh game when things are closer to being serious.

Aren’t friendlies intended to develop match fitness or do we think it more likely to incur injuries against Jersey than Edinburgh.

We are 4 weeks away from our first fixture, plenty of time for match fitness.

I'm totally with QC on the team selection. I see this as great opportunity to test and develop younger players as well as giving the likes of Jaco and Will Muir game time in getting back from rehab

It has been brilliant so far seeing what players such as Worboys and Harris are capable of. This will be another big test and opportunity for them

Please excuse the post from an outsider.

Watching on BT Sport and lots of names I don’t recognise!

14 Gabe Goss, 9 Tom Carr-Smith; 2 Jasper Spandler, 3 Kieran Verden, 7 Ethan Staddon,

Replacements: 16 John Stewart, 17 Scott Kirk, 18 Mikey Summerfield, 19 Nahum Merigan, 20 Thompson Cowan, 21 Murdoch Lock, 22 Ciaran Donoghue, 23 Louie Hennessey

Are they Academy players or Dual registered Championship players?

They're all current or recent academy players. I'm sure some will go on loan later in the season.

Quote:

hasta
They're all current or recent academy players. I'm sure some will go on loan later in the season.

👍

Good game. Our young lads doing well. Sam Harris looks a great player. Very composed, great skills.

How that yellow is not a red is beyond me. Tucked arm. Direct to Coetzee’s head. With force. Not sure why the mitigation provided by the other player involved in the ruck changes anything. The arm was always tucked.

2024/25 adoptee: Guy Pepper



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:09:16:13:58:22 by dr.bath1865.

Men against Worboys. Not great.

Disappointing second half. Our half backs not running the game very well. I’d put Harris to 10 asap.

2024/25 adoptee: Guy Pepper

Totally outmatched in this second half. An unfortunate dent in the general positivity around the club.

As usual TV coverage totally focused on their story of Jersey beating a 'Premier' side without once mentioning that it is the premier's academy side, however that is the side we put out and Jersey won comfortably, fair play.

As I thoughtt, we got the selection wrong so we didn’t properly test the Reds & a few of our youngsters would not have gained much confidence,

Quote:

Bath Hammer
As I thoughtt, we got the selection wrong so we didn’t properly test the Reds & a few of our youngsters would not have gained much confidence,

Totally, disagree we got the selection spot on. It’s a friendly and our youngsters got a much needed game.

Quote:

Bath Hammer
As I thoughtt, we got the selection wrong so we didn’t properly test the Reds & a few of our youngsters would not have gained much confidence,

It's not about gaining confidence but about learning and the academy lads will have benefitted from that immensely. That was a very well organised Jersey team with some really good attacking lines. A very well deserved victory

There were some good performances from our side. Harris is clearly class but Jersey were clearly the better side in the second half

I was fine with the selection before kick off and now. Yes we got bullied in the second half but no matter. With so little rugby available for the youngsters coming through they need game time or neither they or the club will benefit in the long run.

I don't see how this game dents the confidence of the club and the first XV at all.

Chronic: "Will Muir flies out the line to try and intercept the ball but pulls up and clutches his knee/calf." timed at 54mins. Any news?

Pirates leading Chiefs at HT

Quote:

Mike the Taxi
Chronic: "Will Muir flies out the line to try and intercept the ball but pulls up and clutches his knee/calf." timed at 54mins. Any news?

He carried playing, but did seem to limp for a bit, fingers crossed nothing serious.

If not the selection, certainly the game plan disrespectful of Reds.

When young, underpowered, forwards tired all first half bright spots faded away.

Bath were best when ball got past 13. Why then so much slow box kicking with pallid chase?

Harris & Muir bright. Some early spark from Carr- Smith. Richards sound until subbed. Otherwise not much to be happy about- unless lessons are learned.

PG

Agree with dr.bath.

That HAD to be a red. Not a distinguished decision by the ref.

PG

As I understand it this competition offers the opportunity of a semi final and a final on the Rec next Feb/March during a period when we will otherwise have no fixture for eight weeks. I would have thought that would be worth trying for, not least from a commercial point of view.

Quote:

Long Term
As usual TV coverage totally focused on their story of Jersey beating a 'Premier' side without once mentioning that it is the premier's academy side, however that is the side we put out and Jersey won comfortably, fair play.

bit harsh to call it "the premier's academy side" when 14 of the starters are senior players
A man who cannot change his mind, cannot change anything

RAEBURN SHIELD

Sat through that in the stands with bored kids, and saw a stunning lack of innovation or clever game plan. Bath seemed terrified to hold on to the ball- worse than watching england..

Not sure what to think. The coaches will know what the players took from that and they'll also have a clear idea of how to get the team ready for the Falcons game. In my naive, ideal world we should be able to put out a side that can secure some decent ball for the developing players to do something other than tackle and offer Jersey more of a game without messing up the fitness programme or whatever. What I do know is that I was very bored with the complete lack of ambition; if quick young players can't be allowed to express themselves and run the ball against a big, strong side like Jersey in a developmental competition then some thing's very wrong. My other gripe - £6.20 for Thatcher's Gold. I wouldn't pay £2 for Gold myself but my mates were very irritated and will all be bringing hip flasks next week!

Quote:

Quel Carreleur

Quote:

Long Term
As usual TV coverage totally focused on their story of Jersey beating a 'Premier' side without once mentioning that it is the premier's academy side, however that is the side we put out and Jersey won comfortably, fair play.

bit harsh to call it "the premier's academy side" when 14 of the starters are senior players

O.k, the premier's 3rd choice side!

Quite so Tom.

A sad lack of ambition in the game plan. Sam Harris is clearly a class player and I was hoping to see him kick less, run more.

Similarly, Carr-Smith’s early break should have brought a try but there was nobody with him.

When Bath shook off the shackles they looked a different team.

I do hope lessons will be learned for the next round.

PG

This is where I'd like to see some sort of 'horses for courses' approach. Today's side next week v London Scottish may well be a decent match-up. Against Jersey a stronger side was needed. I do realise that there's not enough rugby for these players to get many chances over a season to represent Bath (Which is a massive shame and won't change given smaller squad sizes) and it's a developmental competition but today the fans were short-changed. I suspect Jersey would have liked a sterner test to guage their standing and for the first home game of the season I found that pretty dispiriting, although I did enjoy the two Bath tries created from not much and Jersey scored a superb second half try when running back one of numerous Bath punts downfield.

Awful. Barring a bit of Horse magic we offered absolutely nothing. Well, apart from anti-rugby. That was as bad as it’s been for a while I think.

On the one hand, being in the Jersey half and STILL box kicking the ball away was embarrassing.

On the other, when we actually tried to play, we coughed up possession seconds later as usual or we got turned over at the next contact.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:09:16:20:31:15 by bathonian80.

Really disappointed with the second half. As others have said, we all understand that this is a tournament for academies, but shipping 29 unanswered points in H2 was incredibly bleak.

Harris at FB was rather impressive, and Horse was a different class.
Also worth calling an extremely resilient Reds side, that delivered the basics throughout. In particular their substitute scrummie was excellent.

Assuming the whole squad are playing to the same game plan that’s the only concern for today. Aimless box kicking and pointless kick tennis will not win any PL games.

Score could have been worse had the Jersey FH not been such a hopeless kicker.

I did have that fear OB, that this is the blueprint for all Bath teams. My mate said it would be pretty mad to fork out huge money on a mercurial, creative fly half only to ask him to keep hoofing the ball into the clouds so I have to hope he's right. If that was the clear plan today it was poorly thought out as posters on here noted we'd struggle to match them up front, yet we kept running into contact and getting turned over or cheaply kicking away what ball we had. Perhaps we'll be a bit more adventurous next week!

I can't recall Goss getting the ball once, maybe he did but didn't get to stretch his legs properly. The point is, if he's the quickest guy in the squad, as reported, then why weren't we trying to use that point of difference? A front row made up of teenagers is always going to struggle against a grizzled, experienced Jersey front row of 30 year olds. Just felt very frustrated that we didn't see many backs moves when that could/should have been where we could have had the edge

Quote:

TomReagan
My other gripe - £6.20 for Thatcher's Gold. I wouldn't pay £2 for Gold myself but my mates were very irritated and will all be bringing hip flasks next week!

+1

£2 for a small bottle of water! Bath rugby is systematically ripping off fans. I won’t buy anything in the stadium again.

You also can only get the 10% ST discount with the digital ST and not the physical card. Discriminatory.

Yes, that was a bit of a dent in our hoped for seamless progress towards a decent Premiership season. It started with the youth team winning & then a youthful squad out gunning Cornish Pirates, all good for the confidence. I still think we should have mixed in a few more experienced guys this week to gat a better match up & hopefully continue the winning record which can make a huge difference to the positive feel about the place. In the absence of these experienced bodies I would like to have seen a different game plan because that one clearly didn’t work!.

Sorry to have to say, having 'sat' on my almost disgust at yesterday's effort, I really do wonder yet again WHAT DO THEY DO ALL WEEK? The best, fanciest facilities, endless analytical analysis, war room discussions etc. etc. and yet, even I was caught shaking my head in disbelief at some of the actions. Basic schoolboy level errors and decisions. Dear o dear. I can only wonder yet again at why thousands pay to watch this stuff season after season. Or is it just "a nice day out"?

I have to say the result is not a surprise - a full strength Jersey team who should be in the Premiership having won the Championship against what bar 3 players was an academy side.

In my personal opinion we are on the right tracks and using this competition to allow the coaches and to a certain extent the players to see if they have what it takes to succeed,

So actually 34-10 sounds heavy but 29 of the Reds points came in the 2nd half when we just ran out of steam - their win was based on power and physicality and that is one thing at a young age many lack but will come in time and games such as these are invaluable and I am not reading too much into these results.

i will hold my thoughts on the 1st team performance until such time as we actually field a full 1st XV or XXIII.

Quote:

Ali1969
what bar 3 players was an academy side.

Erm... again, 1 solitary academy player in the starting lineup.
Young =/= academy, and IMO it's getting pretty disrespectful that Bath fans keep saying that this was an academy side.


ETA: Sorry, 2, forgot Spandler came in for Stewart

A man who cannot change his mind, cannot change anything

RAEBURN SHIELD



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2023:09:17:11:40:03 by Quel Carreleur.

Bath Rugby: 15 Sam Harris, 14 Gabe Goss, 13 Max Wright, 12 Will Butt, 11 Will Muir, 10 George Worboys, 9 Tom Carr-Smith; 1 Arthur Cordwell, 2 Jasper Spandler, 3 Kieran Verden, 4 Fergus Lee-Warner, 5 Ewan Richards ©, 6 JJ Tonks, 7 Ethan Staddon, 8 Jaco Coetzee

Replacements: 16 John Stewart, 17 Scott Kirk, 18 Mikey Summerfield, 19 Nahum Merigan, 20 Thompson Cowan, 21 Murdoch Lock, 22 Ciaran Donoghue, 23 Louie Hennessey

No disrespect to Jersey however I stand by comments - Muir 2nd game back from serious injury - Jaco Coetzee barely featured in match day squads and FLW usually on the bench on game day.

As Tigersimon asked didn’t even recognise over half that match day 23.

Sorry but this was exactly as I said you can question how many are in our actual academy right now but the majority of that team are basically under the umbrella of academy players.

Quote:

Ali1969
Sorry but this was exactly as I said you can question how many are in our actual academy right now but the majority of that team are basically under the umbrella of academy players.

then you have a different definition of "academy players" then mine, which is "players who are in the academy"
Outside of Coetzee, Muir and FLW
Max Wright is 26 and IIRC, came to Bath in the senior squad, 5 years ago - calling him an academy player is disrespectful (and inaccurate) IMO
Verden and Cordwell are both 24, they graduated from the academy 3 years ago - calling them academy players is disrespectful (and inaccurate) IMO
Tonks and Butt are 23, Butt both were senior players last year, as was Ewan Richards - calling them academy players is disrespectful (and inaccurate) IMO. Tonks wasn't our product, but as far as I can tell, he graduated from the Saints academy 4 years ago.
TCS, Goss, Staddon and Worboys all seem to have graduated from the academy this summer - calling them academy players is fair enough (but inaccurate) IMO

None of the starters has made their debut for Bath this month.
5 starters have less than 10 appearances for Bath (including Tonks).
These are not the stats of an academy team.

A man who cannot change his mind, cannot change anything

RAEBURN SHIELD



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 2023:09:17:12:09:47 by Quel Carreleur.

I would say most of that starting line up were third choice in their position with a few arguably fourth choice (spandler, verden, worboys)- always felt to me too big a ask for them to win but hoped it would be closer.

I didn't hugely enjoy the game but thoroughly enjoyed meeting and chatting to the Jersey chairman Mark Morgan, their DoR Harvey biljon and randomly francois van der merwe affer the game. They were v chuffed and had loads of interesting insight into life in the championship, recruitment, state of the game etc.

HB was delighted we decided to play very narrow continually when we caused them real problems in the wide channels with muir and harris on the rare occasions we used them. Implied we were pretty easy to work out and handle.

Quel Carreleur - I am not being disrespectful at the end of the day it was Bath Rugby 1st XXIii - however in the old days that team would most probably be called Bath Spartans or a weak Bath United.

What would have been the scoreline if Bath had fielded a full first XXiii - well we don’t know and never will, if I were a betting man which I am not I think it would be very very different.

The outcome is that I am sure our coaching team learnt more from that game than Jerseys but that does not detract from Jerseys performance and well deserved win.

Not loads of positives.

Thought richards went well before his injury and FLW always goes well.

Like the look of staddon.

Liked that TCS had a few sharp breaks in the first half and his kicking game is decent.

Harris is classy and quick.

Always fun to watch the 🐎.

Bit of a worry that coetzee took another head knock.

I'm less fussed about the result, I always figured it was if not likely then at least predictable given the respective teams. My problem is two fold:

a) it's the Prem Cup. WHY are we box-kicking everything? Even in the opposition half. Why are we playing such horribly unambitious one-out rugby, barring a couple of moments of individual magic?

b) why are this club's basic passing skills and ball retention so poor?

Because B is so bad, maybe that explains A. But it's a sorry state overall, we just offered so little.

Firstly congratulations to Jersey, I spoke with a Jersey forward after the game and he was obviously delighted with the result, he didn’t think Bath got the selection wrong just that he expected a tougher game other than the first 30 minutes and perhaps Bath would/should have had a stronger bench.

Pretty dire game from our perspective too many box kicks and kick tennis.

Was the ground half full or half empty !

Hopefully selecting a similar team next week there will be a better result .

Adopted Player 2018/19 Ross Batty
Adopted Player 2019/20 Jack Davies
Adopted Player 2020/21 Cam Redpath
Adopted Player 2021/22 Darren Atkins
Adopted Player 2022/23 Gabriel Hamer-Webb
Adopted Player 2023/24 Tom Carr-Smith
Adopted Player 2024/25 Max Ojomoh

"AN OUNCE OF ACTION IS WORTH A TON OF THEORY"
FRIEDRICH ENGELS

If the same players are selected next week they will presumably be even more knackered whilst the rest of the squad are getting no real match practice.

Quote:

Ali1969
I have to say the result is not a surprise - a full strength Jersey team who should be in the Premiership

I disagree there’s no way that Jersey team are good enough for the premiership. I was actually surprised at how bad their FH was at kicking.

With half decent coaching and a proper game plan the scratch team selected by Bath would have won.

I was fine with Bath fielding a weak team, but am now concerned about the coming season with the only intent being to kick possession aimlessly away and not even bothering to chase. Not even a sign of a plan B.

Quote:

bathonian80
I'm less fussed about the result, I always figured it was if not likely then at least predictable given the respective teams. My problem is two fold:
a) it's the Prem Cup. WHY are we box-kicking everything? Even in the opposition half. Why are we playing such horribly unambitious one-out rugby, barring a couple of moments of individual magic?

b) why are this club's basic passing skills and ball retention so poor?

Because B is so bad, maybe that explains A. But it's a sorry state overall, we just offered so little.

C, Why is Robinson anywhere near head coach for this competition when we have Blackett and Blaze?

adopted player, 24/25 Hame Faiva. 23/24 Ted Hill. 22/23 Cam Redpath. 21/22 Max Clark. 20/21 Henry Thomas. 19/20 Max Wright. 18/19 Cooper Vuna.

Quote:

copester

Quote:

bathonian80
I'm less fussed about the result, I always figured it was if not likely then at least predictable given the respective teams. My problem is two fold:
a) it's the Prem Cup. WHY are we box-kicking everything? Even in the opposition half. Why are we playing such horribly unambitious one-out rugby, barring a couple of moments of individual magic?

b) why are this club's basic passing skills and ball retention so poor?

Because B is so bad, maybe that explains A. But it's a sorry state overall, we just offered so little.

C, Why is Robinson anywhere near head coach for this competition when we have Blackett and Blaze?

Because he's the academy head coach. JvG selects the team though.

Quote:

hasta

Quote:

copester

Quote:

bathonian80
I'm less fussed about the result, I always figured it was if not likely then at least predictable given the respective teams. My problem is two fold:
a) it's the Prem Cup. WHY are we box-kicking everything? Even in the opposition half. Why are we playing such horribly unambitious one-out rugby, barring a couple of moments of individual magic?

b) why are this club's basic passing skills and ball retention so poor?

Because B is so bad, maybe that explains A. But it's a sorry state overall, we just offered so little.

C, Why is Robinson anywhere near head coach for this competition when we have Blackett and Blaze?

Because he's the academy head coach. JvG selects the team though.

……………and he had a fairly successful career including being the England head coach.

Quote:

Bath Hammer

Quote:

hasta

Quote:

copester

Quote:

bathonian80
I'm less fussed about the result, I always figured it was if not likely then at least predictable given the respective teams. My problem is two fold:
a) it's the Prem Cup. WHY are we box-kicking everything? Even in the opposition half. Why are we playing such horribly unambitious one-out rugby, barring a couple of moments of individual magic?

b) why are this club's basic passing skills and ball retention so poor?

Because B is so bad, maybe that explains A. But it's a sorry state overall, we just offered so little.

C, Why is Robinson anywhere near head coach for this competition when we have Blackett and Blaze?

Because he's the academy head coach. JvG selects the team though.

……………and he had a fairly successful career including being the England head coach.

I am not disputing Robinsons career. This is a senior competition aimed at developing players and I would guess coaches too? Would of thought Blaze or not so much Blackett would benefit more than Robinson.

adopted player, 24/25 Hame Faiva. 23/24 Ted Hill. 22/23 Cam Redpath. 21/22 Max Clark. 20/21 Henry Thomas. 19/20 Max Wright. 18/19 Cooper Vuna.

Blackett and Blaze will benefit our first team more than the academy, they don't need developing.

A little bit depressing to be straight back into 'A young Bath United side came up against an older/stronger/more experienced rinse and repeat side' quite so soon!

Bristol lost at home to Ealing yesterday

Just shows how good and well prepared the top championship sides are now. Which, presumably was one of the things this competition was designed to show

I'm not sure it shows much given the Prem sides are largely putting out teams with players who are currently on the fringes of the first team squad. As many have noted, I get the different factors behind this, but suspect the likes of Ealing and Jersey would learn more from playing something closer to their opponents' first teams. Hopefully promotion to the Prem won't be made so difficult now that the Prem finds itself running out of clubs to make up its league, but it's very difficult for that gap to be bridged. It's similar to the Tier 2 Nations very rarely getting fixtures against the top tier sides, which does little to aid their development so the WC comes round and you see very one sided mis- matches. (And I fully acknowledge that this is just one reason for the continuing gulf that exists, domestically and internationally).

Jersey in big financial problems, liable to cease trading: BBC News.

What happens to their results and remaining fixture in the Prem Cup this year if they've ceased trading? I see their game against Pirates today has been cancelled

The Premiership Rugby Sporting Commission will meet to decide allocation of points and standings.

Presumably they'll null them all off.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:09:30:13:25:44 by Mike the Taxi.