A STOOP START SEASON: QUINS V BATH

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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2025:09:30:16:00:12 by P G Tips.

Thanks Rokobilly, a great preview to start the Premiership season off with. The Stoop is always a difficult place to play at but I think we can be quietly confident of getting a good result even with our problems due to resting players and injuries.

Thanks Rokobilly, good read.

I wonder if our best bet may be a departure from our usual game, reduce the box kicking but keep it tight with pick and drive and maul to dominate possession and frustrate Quins?

PG

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P G Tips
Thanks Rokobilly, good read.
I wonder if our best bet may be a departure from our usual game, reduce the box kicking but keep it tight with pick and drive and maul to dominate possession and frustrate Quins?

PG

Assuming Kenningham, Evans and Dombrandt are their back row we'd have to be really accurate with that approach given their breakdown threat.

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theredseat

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P G Tips
Thanks Rokobilly, good read.
I wonder if our best bet may be a departure from our usual game, reduce the box kicking but keep it tight with pick and drive and maul to dominate possession and frustrate Quins?

PG

Assuming Kenningham, Evans and Dombrandt are their back row we'd have to be really accurate with that approach given their breakdown threat.

Yeah backrow is a real area of strength for them, will be interesting how we try and negate their jackal threat.

Do we go with our best set of jacklers (e.g. 6 Underhill, 7 Pepper, 8 Reid), or do we put out our biggest backrow to try and physically dominate Evans/Kenningham (e.g. 6 Hill, 7 Underhill, 8 Barbeary).

The front row battle is going to be really intriguing. Both sides are going to be strongest at LH, but I'm still unconvinced that Baxter is a top level scrummager, would be nice if (presumably) Griffin could give him a tough day at the office. I have absolutely no idea on what the pecking order at tighthead is for Quins. Lamositele barely looked capable of playing 40 minutes last season (although had a good game against us). They've brought in Harry Williams from Pau, and sounds like his stock has fallen even further during his time in France. If we can field a combo of Obano/FvW then I'd back them to get the nudge on.

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theredseat

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P G Tips
Thanks Rokobilly, good read.
I wonder if our best bet may be a departure from our usual game, reduce the box kicking but keep it tight with pick and drive and maul to dominate possession and frustrate Quins?

PG

Assuming Kenningham, Evans and Dombrandt are their back row we'd have to be really accurate with that approach given their breakdown threat.

Fair point trs.
I am thinking of their counter attack threat through Green, Murley, Northmore, Beard. Our kicking must therefore be short, contestable and absolutely on point.Kicking to grass, not hand can help - I regret the current neglect of the low diagonal - so hard to defend.

PG

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P G Tips
I regret the current neglect of the low diagonal - so hard to defend.PG

Manipulation of the ball onto the foot has improved vastly over the last 2-3 seasons, but I think there's still room for more variety - some of it, as you point out, going back to the future, with the use of torpedo-type spin.

Kicking coaches really seem to place the emphasis on predictability of flight/bounce, which makes sense in terms of 'retrievability', but inducing an error or at least hesitancy could be of equal value as a variation.

I'd like to see more kicking short into the space behind break-downs by 9 as well - other backs could have a big role in identifying and communicating that option.

Yes Opti

See what use the Canada women's 9 made of those kicks v Black Ferns. Pretty deadly.

PG

The gripe with attacking kicking (as on the rugby league 5th tackle), especially in the red zone, is that it is essentially kicking ball that you have in possession into an, at best, 50/50 situation. England got obsessed with it a couple of seasons back, going 5-7 phases Farrell or Slade dropped it onto the foot.

Of course, depends on the quality of the kick, but I still coach backs to kick either intentionally as part of a plan (first or second phase or 5th phase with a setup cross kick) or as a near-last resort. Otherwise, with the way the laws are, and especially with how Bath are setup to play a power game near the line, I'd value keeping the ball through the phases over putting it into no man's land.

IMO a less risky option for kicking the ball away when an attack stalls is to attempt a drop kick.

2024/25 adoptee: Guy Pepper

Does feel like we have a threadbare squad so playing away to a team that will be fired up suggests to me that a LBP will be a good result.

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P G Tips

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theredseat

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P G Tips
Thanks Rokobilly, good read.
I wonder if our best bet may be a departure from our usual game, reduce the box kicking but keep it tight with pick and drive and maul to dominate possession and frustrate Quins?

PG

Assuming Kenningham, Evans and Dombrandt are their back row we'd have to be really accurate with that approach given their breakdown threat.

Fair point trs.
I am thinking of their counter attack threat through Green, Murley, Northmore, Beard. Our kicking must therefore be short, contestable and absolutely on point.Kicking to grass, not hand can help - I regret the current neglect of the low diagonal - so hard to defend.

PG

I can see Spencer wearing out his boots on Friday night. No real 10 so a lot of the kicking will fall to him anyway plus it's not really the most aerially dominant back 3s on either side in the absence of Muir and Isgro so both teams might be keen to test the other out in the air.

Could I just say that this thread title made me chuckle. Chapeau!

Beno should be available for selection with no mention of him being injured by the club.

Our run of very few injuries had to come to an end sometime.

We are now facing some gaps in selection and this is the time and the opportunity for a number of our junior players to step forward and take their opportunity.

As we know we have a number of very promising younger players as we saw in the Prem Cup last year and we were reminded of last Saturday........it is time for them to step up!

Team Up

Bath Rugby: 1 Beno Obano, 2 Tom Dunn, 3 Vilikesa Sela, 4 Quinn Roux, 5 Charlie Ewels, 6 Josh Bayliss, 7 Guy Pepper, 8 Miles Reid, 9 Ben Spencer ©, 10 Max Ojomoh, 11 Henry Arundell, 12 Cameron Redpath, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 15 Tom de Glanville

Replacements: 16 Kepueli Tuipulotu, 17 Francois Van Wyk, 18 Archie Griffin, 19 Ross Molony, 20 Ted Hill, 21 Tom Carr-Smith, 22 Chris Harris, 23 Sam Underhill

Pretty strong, considering.

PG

Harlequins:

15. Tyrone Green (95)

14. Nick David (74)

13. Oscar Beard (77)

12. Sean Kerr (10)

11. Cadan Murley (130)

10. Jarrod Evans (35)

9. Will Porter (44)

1. Fin Baxter (70)

2. Jack Walker (91)

3. Harry Williams (1)

4. Chandler Cunningham-South (31)

5. Kieran Treadwell (7)

6. Jack Kenningham (74)

7. Will Evans (116)

8. Alex Dombrandt (C) (157)

Replacements:

16. George Turner (1)

17. Jordan Els (52)

18. Ollie Streeter (5)

19. Jonny Green (11)

20. Zach Carr (9)

21. Max Green (11)

22. Ludo Kolade (5)

23. Cameron Anderson (18)

PG

Thats a significant indicator of this years team. Billy Sela starts at TH with Archie Griffin on the bench and Kepu Tuipulotu in ahead of Dan Frost!
Henry Arundell straight in the starting XV (Muir's injury). Sam Underhill only makes the bench.

Max Green and Jack Walker both ex Bath for Quins and Ludo Kolade is a young centre making a name for himself.

Have to say these enforced rests really hit team selection at the beginning of the season. Is this good or bad? I'm not sure.


Tyler Offiah
Opinion is based on assumptions, whereas fact is based on observation or research.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:09:25:12:18:23 by shipwrecked.

That is considerable impact on the bench for Bath, especially considering the injuries and absence players!

Really exciting if Sela has leapfrogged Griffin in the pecking order. Getting to see him vs. Baxter on Friday is defintely something to look forward to.

Am I right in thinking Frost has had reduced pre-season minutes? Maybe not quite as sharp as Kepu for this week?

Big boost to have Beno ready to go. Harry Williams isn't known for going deep into games so if we can tire him and / or get an inexperienced tighthead going up againt Beno and FvW that could be a nice advantage.

Our bench looks significantly stronger than theirs - confidence rising a fair bit from where it was after the injury report this week....

Another +1 for the bench. Ridiculously strong given the absentees and - looking at theirs - it may just give us the edge.

Fully expect Quins to come flying out the blocks to try and build a lead before fatigue sets in/benches get emptied.

Odds on Dombrandt scoring one of those back against the grain tries after less than 7 minutes? Friday night at the Stop will be loud so need to control the tempo, Spencer to kick it in the air, and then take the game deep before unloading Unders and company.

A 1 point win will do. Great to be back in action… and as champions!

2024/25 adoptee: Guy Pepper

Ooh Arundell - exciting

Wow, don't know what I was expecting, but seeing the team sheet I'm feeling a lot more optimistic.

I'd say both XV's are relatively evenly matched, the respective benches are where we could make a real difference.

Great to see Hill, Underhill & Obano in there.
Could be a really big season for Kepu & Billy.

BATH supporter since 1975

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shipwrecked
Thats a significant indicator of this years team. Billy Sela starts at TH with Archie Griffin on the bench and Kepu Tuipulotu in ahead of Dan Frost!
Henry Arundell straight in the starting XV (Muir's injury). Sam Underhill only makes the bench.

Max Green and Jack Walker both ex Bath for Quins and Ludo Kolade is a young centre making a name for himself.

Have to say these enforced rests really hit team selection at the beginning of the season. Is this good or bad? I'm not sure.

Really don’t like the enforced rests, impacts club rugby and in particular Bath too much. One size fits all rest periods not the best way to do it.

Given that we are being forced to play with one hand behind our back that’s a reasonable team. Still feels like a LBP will be a good return.

All this LBP talk is encouraging!

Over on the Quins' board we're wondering if you'll score 50!

BB

And the referee is…..?

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Brown Bottle
All this LBP talk is encouraging!
Over on the Quins' board we're wondering if you'll score 50!

Hmm we dont have a fly half

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Hercules Spoons
And the referee is…..?

The one and only Karl Dickson (cue lights and fanfare!)

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bathwickboy

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Hercules Spoons
And the referee is…..?

The one and only Karl Dickson (cue lights and fanfare!)

HURRAHHHH!

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Brown Bottle
All this LBP talk is encouraging!
Over on the Quins' board we're wondering if you'll score 50!

Just checked. Quins' fans not overly confident.

Would suggest us playing without a recognised 10 and Karl Dickson may level things up a bit.

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Barfboy

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Brown Bottle
All this LBP talk is encouraging!
Over on the Quins' board we're wondering if you'll score 50!

Just checked. Quins' fans not overly confident.

Would suggest us playing without a recognised 10 and Karl Dickson may level things up a bit.

Yes, me too, I was being sarcastic on the second one

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bathwickboy

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Hercules Spoons
And the referee is…..?

The one and only Karl Dickson (cue lights and fanfare!)

Sweet Jesus

’’Paint the whole world with a rainbow”

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bathwickboy

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Hercules Spoons
And the referee is…..?

The one and only Karl Dickson (cue lights and fanfare!)

Ah well we’ve got ready made excuses then.

Quins board really not very optimistic but when did Quins start getting called "The Quarters"???

... IMHO, of course.

Now in Honolulu

Fascinated to see how Max goes at 10. He has a lovely array of passing and short kicks, and, who wouldn't want to have a go at 10 with those outside backs to feed! Not sure about his clearance/distance kicking, but Spencer does love to take on the kicking game when there's someone younger than him at 10.

It feels like we've forgotten quite how good we are - i think we'll win well.

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jayeatman
Could be a really big season for Kepu & Billy.

Two big years for them to stake their claims. Not that I'm putting pressure on or anything.

I am shocked at the appointment of Karl Dickson, I thought the authorities made a point after the Marler incident against Bristol and then the Big Bash game at Twickenham against Saints I think and both concerning Mr Dickson, that it was not right and fair on the official to officiate a game with their old club.

I certainly don't underestimate Quins their team is very decent and they have a lot less abstractions in comparison to us. They are at home, I heard Tyrone Green saying on Rugby Union Weekly that their newly laid pitch is very fast which will suit their style.

I think the benches will make a huge difference but also the fact we have Max O at 10 against a quality International and often underrated 10 in Jarrod Evans.

Emotional game with Lee departing - I am sure the boys will want to send him off with a bang.

COYB.

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JK7

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jayeatman
Could be a really big season for Kepu & Billy.

Two big years for them to stake their claims. Not that I'm putting pressure on or anything.

Really pleased to see these young talents getting an opportunity. I wonder if Griffin will be the tighthead who's off first, once (if) the WRU get their plans sorted out.

Tom de Glanville - Adopted player 2024-5

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BucksBBandW

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JK7

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jayeatman
Could be a really big season for Kepu & Billy.

Two big years for them to stake their claims. Not that I'm putting pressure on or anything.

Really pleased to see these young talents getting an opportunity. I wonder if Griffin will be the tighthead who's off first, once (if) the WRU get their plans sorted out.

I think it's always a bit tricky reading into how JvG ranks his props, as he's a real proponent of having stronger scrummagers on the bench to finish of the game.

Sela hasn't managed to string together consistent gametime yet, so will be really interesting to see how he gets on in these first few weeks. I've got full confidence in Archie coming on and putting the Quins scrum under pressure, particularly given he'll be up against Els and Streeter.

Stronger than expected 23 with beno, hill, underhill involved.

I agree that it's hard to know pecking order til you get to latter stages of knock outs.

Makes sense to start beno and see how he goes.

Griffin on the bench (along with hill/ underhill) feels like ensuring we have some impact.

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joethefanatic
Quins board really not very optimistic but when did Quins start getting called "The Quarters"???

For a few years by whomever writes the Quins official website articles and also by quite a few of the players. But I had to google the Quins site to establish that.

Not sure we (the supporters) would particularly notice it since the phrase has been used to describe the kit for donkey's years as in "pulling on/appearing in/wearing the quarters".

I had to go and read the article on our forum to find it, after searching this thread because I assumed it was here that you'd seen it. It's never jumped out at me although
it would never occur to me to use "the quarters" to refer to the team.

I'm often not very observant, though.

BB

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OutsideBath
Does feel like we have a threadbare squad so playing away to a team that will be fired up suggests to me that a LBP will be a good result.

Quins look threatening in the backs and certainly should not be taken lightly, but we have our potent weapons too. We beat them home and away last season, so I would not be too downbeat.

PG

Quins first xv looks really strong to me.

May be ignorance of their squad but feels like our bench has more experience and power but we shall see.

Fingers crossed that is the case and proves crucial.

Any danger of a tackle at the gain line?

Have Bath forgotten how to tackle? Getting dominated physically at the moment.


Tyler Offiah
Opinion is based on assumptions, whereas fact is based on observation or research.

Delighted to only be three points down because that wasn’t good at all

We aren't great but only 3 behind. We are always better in the second half. I think we'll win this...

Bueno, Beno!!

Loud involuntary noise at that Ojomoh pass. Woof

This is better!! Still can't get used to Mile's haircut tho...

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BeatsWorking
Still can't get used to Mile's haircut tho...

From a distance, looks like Dunn's spent his summer in a torture rack.

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theredseat
Loud involuntary noise at that Ojomoh pass. Woof

That was sexy

We’re actually wuite good. #jvg

Just got home to see a very impressive score line, but how on earth did we ship 2 tries in the first 8 minutes?

Nice, back in business.

Power and bench did its job tonight. Comfortable away win after a pretty stinking first 40.

Think we only won half our own line outs which needs sorting asap. Let’s hope the sloppy tackling, breakdown and general decision making early on was just some rustiness

Thought Spencer marshalled things really nicely, de Glanville very solid and a quality conversion, Reid’s physicality and effort big as usual and Underhill made a difference off the bench.

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Barfboy

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Brown Bottle
All this LBP talk is encouraging!
Over on the Quins' board we're wondering if you'll score 50!

Just checked. Quins' fans not overly confident.

Would suggest us playing without a recognised 10 and Karl Dickson may level things up a bit.

Well Ojomoh was in consideration for MOTM & Ashton enthused about the “aesthetic “of his pass for Arundell’s first try.

Thought he did well myself.

PG

Forward pack were just a class above tonight.

Just watched the game live - well it seemed rude not to. A pretty comprehensive win over a Quins side that were VERY aggressive in the first 40 but who just couldn't sustain it. After 15 minutes, you really had no doubts at all that we would win even when 2 scores down.

I have never been a great Henry Arundell fan but I thought he was really excellent as was Chris Harris when he came on (who looks like an absolute steal). It was great to see Ollie back doing Ollie things but I winced very time he started to sprint. A couple more games and I'll have the same confidence in his Achilles as he evidently does. A bit of rustiness in the tight 5 but even then Sela and Tuipuloto showed us an encouraging glimpse of the future.

But my MotM - Mojo. To the manor born at 10. Quins are not mugs and Spenno took a lot of the decision making weight but I thought that pass to Arundell was as imaginative and as technically excellent as anything that Finn threw last year. Our 10 shirt is in very good hands.

A word for the ref. I thought Dickson was very good. I don't agree with him getting Quins games but he was even handed, consistent and clear. Improving with age - unlike me.

The game and the stadium news send me off for a morning coffee with a huge grin on my face and a song in my heart. I love rugby.

... IMHO, of course.

Now in Honolulu



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2025:09:26:21:51:57 by joethefanatic.

Lovely swansong for Lee Blackett, who did so much to get Bath, in a short time, to this place (So what that Arundell only had to move about 3 Metres for two tries? The attack was relentless and clinical.)

Good to hear JvG s take on Lee too- encouraging him to follow his dream and ambition, confident that Bath can still thrive with whoever else takes on his role.

A good start to the season.

PG

Joe still needs to improve his handling. But noticed him coming off his wing to win a crucial ruck and did some heavy carrying… a bit of a mixed bag from him. Green and Murley had decent games for them. Our pack just too strong

Green had a very decent game. Without him I doubt. Quins would have made the metres they did.

PG

I'd like to see Arundell and Muir in a race. They have such different running styles.

It surprises me that the coaching teams and officials between them aren't a bit slicker when dealing with front row issues like Quins had tonight. There was a fair bit of flapping around and uncertainty and Dickson still didn't seem to be 100% confident in what was going on when play resumed. The rules should be clear.

I get the feeling Arundell is going to be one of those wingers that will get better with time. Needs work on competing for the high ball, needs to make tackles count but get him the ball out wide or with space in the back field and he is Sure to scare defences to death.
He is still only 22!
Max was a revelation, remembering We were without Russell, TdT, Carreras and Muir. Ollie looks like he never left.


Tyler Offiah
Opinion is based on assumptions, whereas fact is based on observation or research.

Pretty scary performance for the competition.

Deliberately went in undercooked, were understandably rusty, were missing tdt/ stuart/ jaco/ alfie/ vdl/ finn/ donoghue/ muir/ santi and still won at a canter.

Lesson in sticking to the process and trusting your power game. I thought the bench would be key but we got things under control even before that.

Agree that kepu and sela are an exciting glimpse into the future. Sometimes feel poor archie griffin gets missed in the tighthead appreciation stakes- was excellent off the bench.

Big test next week and mojo will be under more tactical pressure- got a fairly easy ride but hats off for making what I think is the hardest position on the pitch look easy. Sale not likely to gift us the gainline as much though.

Love things like tdg slotting a touchline conversion- clearly worked at it in case we ever need a third choice kicker. So professional.

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JK7

It surprises me that the coaching teams and officials between them aren't a bit slicker when dealing with front row issues like Quins had tonight. There was a fair bit of flapping around and uncertainty and Dickson still didn't seem to be 100% confident in what was going on when play resumed. The rules should be clear.

I think that was just a weird break down in communication - we obviously have the benefit of being able to hear the official convo

I think the lad coming on just tried to blag he was a registered hooker, not understanding that it didn't really matter because it was a HIA

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Charlieboa1

Big test next week and mojo will be under more tactical pressure- got a fairly easy ride but hats off for making what I think is the hardest position on the pitch look easy. Sale not likely to gift us the gainline as much though.
.

Next week feels like a Hill / Underhill game to me. Wonder if that was part of the thinking for this week as well? Keep Miles at 8 and hopefully have Barbeary ready for the bench

I wouldn’t blame Dickson for that. He was perfectly clear but couldn’t get a straight answer from Quins.

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Bath Hammer
I wouldn’t blame Dickson for that. He was perfectly clear but couldn’t get a straight answer from Quins.

Totally agree. They were trying to game the system but hadn’t understood that it was irrelevant anyway. As Dickson said, the player lists have their positions on them and he wasn’t registered as a hooker. That’s exactly the reason for listing then beforehand. It wasn’t a good look for the Quins coach who was clearly trying to work it.

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

I was working last night so missed the game. Got home around 12 not knowing the score and decided to watch the highlights rather than full game. The highlights consisted of 45 seconds of Quins running from deep amd 4 minutes of us picking and going from 5m out. How did we look in attack from further out?

Mmmmhhhh.....there was more to it than that!!

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Rokobilly
I was working last night so missed the game. Got home around 12 not knowing the score and decided to watch the highlights rather than full game. The highlights consisted of 45 seconds of Quins running from deep amd 4 minutes of us picking and going from 5m out. How did we look in attack from further out?

If you can watch the full game Roko do it. A fascinating story of Quins dominating a rusty Bath before JvG gets hold of them at half time and sorts it all out big time.

My biggest question is does he weave his magic just as effectively withou Lee?


Tyler Offiah
Opinion is based on assumptions, whereas fact is based on observation or research.

Without wanting to get ahead of ourselves, as Charlie says, a pretty scary performance for the rest of the league. Hell of a performance.

Injuries, no 10, a fast start from the oppo… and we battered them. Our physicality and fitness are pretty monstrous. The bench was immense. The likes of VV, Griffin and Maloney, less heralded than Hill and Unders, but they just come on and grind teams into submission.

Yes the tries largely came from the big men, but there were some lovely moments also, especially Arundell. I also couldn’t care less- for too many years we lose that game. Now we just win. So fun.

Huge shout out for Ollie. Amazing performance and level of involvement given what he’s been through. What a recovery.

2024/25 adoptee: Guy Pepper

Enjoyed that second half when we got our power game going. Must admit I wanted them to take the three when we were only 8 or 9 points ahead, but the confidence of this team. They clearly knew they had Quins on the ropes. That run by Arundell had me out of my chair!
Great start to the season next week will be a battle.

Widcombe Garçon

Great result and some effort 2nd half especially from Miles Reid and Quinn Roux the silent assassin!
they certainly looked like they had 10 rounds with Mike Tyson (other heavyweight boxers are available) when they came off !!

Well done all , looking forward to Friday night Sale will be a lot tougher.

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BathMatt53

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Bath Hammer
I wouldn’t blame Dickson for that. He was perfectly clear but couldn’t get a straight answer from Quins.

Totally agree. They were trying to game the system but hadn’t understood that it was irrelevant anyway. As Dickson said, the player lists have their positions on them and he wasn’t registered as a hooker. That’s exactly the reason for listing then beforehand. It wasn’t a good look for the Quins coach who was clearly trying to work it.

That's sort of what I mean that it should be clear - before the game everyone involved knows who can do what in that situation, it's clearly written on the team sheet, and then you don't have the fudging around for several minutes while coaches and players try to figure out which version of the truth works best for them.

On a separate aspect, I get props must be registered but is a hooker a specialist position?


Tyler Offiah
Opinion is based on assumptions, whereas fact is based on observation or research.

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Charlieboa1
Pretty scary performance for the competition.

I would think that, for the GP, that is the proportion of ‘full-strength’ (75-80%?) that we’ll see most weeks, irrespective of injuries/availability, saving full-strength for Europe and business end of GP.

That was some “Shiner” Quinn was sporting post match. Excellent result away against a very dangerous side and with so many missing from our ranks.

Well played boys. Nice way to send Lee off - hopefully his replacement will be sorted soon, but has to be the right fit - just feels tailor made for Catty.

I think Quins couldn't work out what was best for them. Initially Adam Jones seemed to be pushing that the sub was a hooker as he mistakenly thought otherwise they would lose a player. Once it became clear to him that he wasn't going to lose a player with uncontested scrums then he started to equivocate.

As Dickson moved to the sidelines to check on the actual facts then the rest of the backroom staff had no idea of the previous conversations and did not want to make a decision. I would imagine Quins backroom staff and coaches are a bit all over the place at the moment.

Anyone else notice Ben Spencer limped off?


Tyler Offiah
Opinion is based on assumptions, whereas fact is based on observation or research.

After the euphoria of the last few months I settled down to watch the game feeling strangely ambivalent about the outcome. The monkey was off my back, JVG had well and truly dominated English club rugby and the memories will live with me forever. Now, every club will want to beat us, Quins after a shaky pre season would come hard at us and indeed they did, ah well I thought it's going to be tough to come back from this. But all credit to the patience and effort of those players, an awesome result that made a big statement. Even without Finn and a few others they all stood up to it. Credit to Billy, Archie and Kepu, you know as the season develops they will not look out of place. Miles great at 8 but we need another 8 for the Sale game so he doesn't have to do 80 minutes. When Henry settles in he could be tremendous, in his interview he mentioned he was looking forward to playing with Finn, the magnificent pass from Max a reminder of what he can expect with Finn. By the end of the game my doubts and ambivalence had melted away, I'm ready to dream again. Shame about Lee, we are going to miss him.

Send for the Men in white coats but I thought Dickson handled the double Hooker injury well!!

The written indication whether a player can play an alternative front row position or indeed the front row is a pre requirement prior to the start of the game to stop teams gaming about whether to go uncontested or not!
Hooker with the brake foot in the scrums is definitely a specialised position nowadays.

The laws about whether a team drops to 14 are probably over complicated but again exist to stop teams gaming but at same time recognise that you don’t want a player playing on with a head knock!

it's all been said above.

Lovely surprisingly good game. Rather pleased we beat them, as I do find the Quins support a bit OTT elitist at times. Let alone that I have 2 sons supporting them, one of whom is what he calls a member. Very quiet from that branch of the family this morning. Onwards and upwards and do hope that Finn doesn't have a tiny doubt that he is dispensable? One thing that still pleases is Dunn's transformation from the player he was 10 years ago.

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theredseat

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Charlieboa1

Big test next week and mojo will be under more tactical pressure- got a fairly easy ride but hats off for making what I think is the hardest position on the pitch look easy. Sale not likely to gift us the gainline as much though.
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Next week feels like a Hill / Underhill game to me. Wonder if that was part of the thinking for this week as well? Keep Miles at 8 and hopefully have Barbeary ready for the bench

Good shout TRS, that would make sense.

6 hill
7 underhill
8 reid

19 pepper
23 alfie

Bayliss to miss out? Feels like a game for the heavy hitters as you say but can't go far wrong with our backrow options.

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Optimist

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Charlieboa1
Pretty scary performance for the competition.

I would think that, for the GP, that is the proportion of ‘full-strength’ (75-80%?) that we’ll see most weeks, irrespective of injuries/availability, saving full-strength for Europe and business end of GP.

Makes sense opti.

We will trust our squad, keep them fresh and go after the champions cup I think.

Genuinely have 40+ players I am perfectly comfortable to see playing in the prem.

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Charlieboa1

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theredseat

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Charlieboa1

Big test next week and mojo will be under more tactical pressure- got a fairly easy ride but hats off for making what I think is the hardest position on the pitch look easy. Sale not likely to gift us the gainline as much though.
.

Next week feels like a Hill / Underhill game to me. Wonder if that was part of the thinking for this week as well? Keep Miles at 8 and hopefully have Barbeary ready for the bench

Good shout TRS, that would make sense.

6 hill
7 underhill
8 reid

19 pepper
23 alfie

Bayliss to miss out? Feels like a game for the heavy hitters as you say but can't go far wrong with our backrow options.

I though Bayliss was excellent yesterday and part of the turnaround, for a big man(6'3") he has a deceptive step.


Tyler Offiah
Opinion is based on assumptions, whereas fact is based on observation or research.

Our back row were all great but goodness Bayliss was effective last night. His footwork into contact is so clever, he always manages to find a soft shoulder or arm and make yards. And then his cover at full back, and 50m break upfield is a USP that very few other back rowers have.

Pepper was huge also. Seems to be putting on muscle on every week. I get the Will Evans praise, cos he scored a hat trick and jackals well, but Pepper is (through my BB&W specs) already twice the player.

Problem for these international hopeful flankers is the number of potential options in the 6 and 7 shirt… both for England and Bath!

2024/25 adoptee: Guy Pepper

I saw the Sale v Glos result and thought probably a comfortable win.....

However watched the extended highlights earlier today. Glos were leading up to say 60 minutes.....Sale scored a try with the last play that made it look easier than it really was.

Sale will be tough......but manageable......Ford is rather good, but we already knew that

With all the shiny things in our back row is easy to forget them, Bayliss and Reid really do work so hard and add so much value to the team and squad. Never let us down.

"Quinn Roux the silent assassin!"

I remember Geech describing Simon Taylor as the silent destroyer and have often thought Quinn is in the same mould of understated excellence

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Charlieboa1

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theredseat

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Charlieboa1

Big test next week and mojo will be under more tactical pressure- got a fairly easy ride but hats off for making what I think is the hardest position on the pitch look easy. Sale not likely to gift us the gainline as much though.
.

Next week feels like a Hill / Underhill game to me. Wonder if that was part of the thinking for this week as well? Keep Miles at 8 and hopefully have Barbeary ready for the bench

Good shout TRS, that would make sense.

6 hill
7 underhill
8 reid

19 pepper
23 alfie

Bayliss to miss out? Feels like a game for the heavy hitters as you say but can't go far wrong with our backrow options.

My line of thinking too. Ballast is needed against Sale.

Only concern would be under the high ball. Neither Arundel or Big Joe covered themselves in glory. Really hope Horse is fit to help counter the threat of Ford and Roebuck.

Great to be back. 12-0 down away from home so early on would've given me that sinking feeling in years gone by. Just feel very confident in our ability to do a job over 80mins these days.

Player Ratings:- [www.somersetlive.co.uk]

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Barfboy

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Charlieboa1

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theredseat

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Charlieboa1

Big test next week and mojo will be under more tactical pressure- got a fairly easy ride but hats off for making what I think is the hardest position on the pitch look easy. Sale not likely to gift us the gainline as much though.
.

Next week feels like a Hill / Underhill game to me. Wonder if that was part of the thinking for this week as well? Keep Miles at 8 and hopefully have Barbeary ready for the bench

Good shout TRS, that would make sense.

6 hill
7 underhill
8 reid

19 pepper
23 alfie

Bayliss to miss out? Feels like a game for the heavy hitters as you say but can't go far wrong with our backrow options.

My line of thinking too. Ballast is needed against Sale.

Only concern would be under the high ball. Neither Arundel or Big Joe covered themselves in glory. Really hope Horse is fit to help counter the threat of Ford and Roebuck.

Great to be back. 12-0 down away from home so early on would've given me that sinking feeling in years gone by. Just feel very confident in our ability to do a job over 80mins these days.

High ball my biggest concern for next week. Maybe we rotate TDG to defend Roebuck as much as possible? Either that or McConnochie can put the boots back on

Anyone think Arundell rating is a little high?

Muir is definitely more suited to playing Sale!

The upside on Arundell is incredible. He's not Muir on the high ball, but who is?

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hasta
The upside on Arundell is incredible. He's not Muir on the high ball, but who is?

Yep let's enjoy what he can do.

Good news is he has incredible natural ability.

The other bits can be worked on and improved. He will need to be good in the air for the game plan we have between our 22 and opposition 10m line.

He has his work cut out to displace two of muir, big Joe, santi and tdg in the big games

Totally agree with all the comments saying how good bayliss was on Fri (and every time he plays).

Just think they will want at least one specialist 8 in the squad and so hard to drop any of hill/pepper/underhill/ reid.

They will all get plenty of games as we saw last season.

I just hope ewan richards gets more goes in the prem and champions cup this season. It's criminal how little he plays in those tournaments- would be playing much more elsewhere and was v relieved when he signed on for a few more seasons.

Interesting to note when Arundel was interviewed after the game he said that "he was glad to be home" which of course is true as he grew up in the City and I think went to Beechen Cliff when his father was posted to Abbey Wood.

Another Bath home-grown player.....

Played for Bradford on avon for a bit.

As they said on commentary he fills a gap in terms of being a player with v v high top end speed

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Charlieboa1
Played for Bradford on avon for a bit.
As they said on commentary he fills a gap in terms of being a player with v v high top end speed

Did you play with him Charlie?


Tyler Offiah
Opinion is based on assumptions, whereas fact is based on observation or research.

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Charlieboa1

I just hope ewan richards gets more goes in the prem and champions cup this season. It's criminal how little he plays in those tournaments- would be playing much more elsewhere and was v relieved when he signed on for a few more seasons.

Valid concern. Won't pretend to know the intricacies of lighthead vs loosehead lock, but looking at size/age of other locks he's 10 years younger than Roux, who is the heftiest lock by about 10kgs. Despite his age, the heft he offers and sheer workrate makes him pretty indispensable.

Not much between Molony, Ewels and him sizewise but for Richards being 7-8 years their junior.

He must've been given some assurances around being successor to at least one of these. Can't have been short of offers. Unless he bulks up - potentially sacrificing agility - that won't be Roux. I think we may start to see him usurp Molony on the bench this season.

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shipwrecked

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Charlieboa1
Played for Bradford on avon for a bit.
As they said on commentary he fills a gap in terms of being a player with v v high top end speed

Did you play with him Charlie?

I think that he was in the year with McKenzie Graham and Archie Maggs etc. He left before they won the U15s Vase in 2018.

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

Not sure I agree with the player ratings TBH - thought the forwards were superb - Charlie Ewels and Tom Dunn did so much unseen work. Henry Arundell did well but none here near an 8 and Joe C whilst making errors did a lot more off the ball than Henry, which Chris Ashton was commenting on.