Bath BIG signing! DEALS OFF.....OR IS IT????????

First topic message reminder :

The rumour is that they will be a back possibley a 12 or 13.

I heard it might be Nonu but that is a long shot IMO.


Watch this space.



NEWSFLASH......

Looks like Ollies gone, could this mean the deal is back on?

Ive heard he is a strong scrummager but gives away too many penalties. The ospreys wanted to bring through ryan bevington anyway.

Scrumdown wrote:Ive heard he is a strong scrummager but gives away too many penalties. The ospreys wanted to bring through ryan bevington anyway.

He used to be like that but he has now mutured, he is only 29 and props do not come into their own until they are at least 31 in my opinion, trust me he will be a stand out player in the Aviva, especially as it is a more forward orientated environment.

I think James will be a stand out for Bath, not sure he will be a stand out overall. Just like Bath fans were very pleased with Caldwell, outside of the Rec his performances were considered only average.

Bath are desperate for moe physicality in the tight five, well in the pack in general, so he should fit in very well indeed. If he can give Bath a decent scrummaging foundation then he will have paid for himself.

Scrumdown wrote:I've heard its benji marshall so would be a very big signing.

Nice try.
He signed a 2 million 4 yr extension deal with the Tigers in 2010 running to 2015.
So unlikely now especially with RLWC at end of 2013 season.

As a rugby fan It's a crime players like him will probably never try union.
There again the speed, atleticism & handling skills in the NRL are unmatched in either code...

formerly known as Sam wrote:I think James will be a stand out for Bath, not sure he will be a stand out overall. Just like Bath fans were very pleased with Caldwell, outside of the Rec his performances were considered only average.

Bath are desperate for moe physicality in the tight five, well in the pack in general, so he should fit in very well indeed. If he can give Bath a decent scrummaging foundation then he will have paid for himself.

You may want to try and be a little more condescending there Sam...

He does it very well! Can't help himself on a bath topic, I think he's in denial

Still waiting...!

Hersh was confused, all that has happened is Bath have bought a new Blu-Ray for the coach journeys:

Spoiler:

The water is getting distinctly lukewarm.

IMO I don't think we need anymore signings this year.

We look so good at the moment, once we rip Worcester a new one people will realise Bath are back and mean business

Bath being Jeff Champions isn't too far.

Dear oh dear, is this you now distancing us from the signing?

If it isn't going to happen, what's the harm in you naming the player?

There's very little on ERE, which is normally pretty accurate

Wouldnt it be easier to list players Bath havent been linked to over the past 2 years?

yeah, much quicker, good point!

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:Wouldnt it be easier to list players Bath havent been linked to over the past 2 years?

Now THAT would be a seriously good team!!

They've missed out on another name https://www.606v2.com/t34198-ex-all-black-halfback-albie-mathewson-signs-for-western-force

'set to sign for Bath 22'

Players that were rumoured to be signing for Bath in the last 2 seasons, but it never happened.

Jenkins / Vunipola / Ayerza
Du Plessis / Britz
Jones / Cole
Borthwick
Kitchener
Croft / Guest
Bergasmasco
Morgan / Stowers

Wigglesworth
Carter / Hodgson
Fitzgerald
Nonu / Henson
Davies / Joseph
Ashton
Masi

Off the top of my head, here's the list of players that we've been after apparently. Not a bad side!

Don't forget the likes of Croft and Wilko. HERSH I am very disappointed that you have lived up to the Bath PR stereotype!

So on a serious note, do Bath have a marquee player?

I'll contact Farleigh house later today to find out.

I'm beginning to get worried now, I know work permits take some time but this is getting silly.

HKC if we get this guy even you'll get excited!

Me thinks everyone's being taken for a ride....

And HERSH is absolutely loving it.

funnyExiledScot wrote:It's going to be Graeme Morrison. He is a big 12.

He's mince too so Bath probably will sign him.

Why would I do that?

I have nothing to gain from making Bath look silly.

HERSH wrote:Why would I do that?

I have nothing to gain from making Bath look silly.

In fairness, with your new kit you really don't need any help on that front

The Away and Euro kits are alright.

But I agree the home shirt is shocking

You may want to try and be a little more condescending there Sam...

Don't mean to be but Bath have made plenty of tight five signings in recent years and their tight five has always been their major weakness. This signing is one of the best in recent times but even so I'll rate the Bath tight five when I see it perform.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

You may want to try and be a little more condescending there Sam...

Don't mean to be but Bath have made plenty of tight five signings in recent years and their tight five has always been their major weakness. This signing is one of the best in recent times but even so I'll rate the Bath tight five when I see it perform.

I count the following tight five signings in the last 2 seasons

James, Perenise, Wilson, Beech
Webber, Batty
Attwood, Caldwell, Day, Lobbe

With

Bell, Barnes, Flatman, Stevens
Hawkins, Dixon
Lobbe, Grewcock, Hobson

all leaving.

So, we are up 1 more lock overall. I wouldn't say that having an extra player in the squad really represents more than the usual turnover for a squad, season on season.

My contact at Farleigh house says it's down to the work permit, apparently there's still a back log due to the Olympics.

What position do they play then chap, or what nationality?

I've already said I won't be giving out that information bathite.

You'll just have to wait and see.

Just received my membership confirmation. Cheers for the heads up PJ.will be at the REC as often as possible.

With the rumours of Robbie Deans possibly leaving, I was starting to think he'd be the signing, and that everything had been all underhand!

HERSH wrote:I've already said I won't be giving out that information bathite.

You'll just have to wait and see.

Can't see why you can't, but I won't get my hopes up!

Hersh why are you even saying you have information if you won't tell people what it is?

For all we know you're just making it up.

HERSH wrote:Why would I do that?

I have nothing to gain from making Bath look silly.

Very good question, why do you spend so much time making Bath look silly?

maestegmafia wrote:Just received my membership confirmation. Cheers for the heads up PJ.will be at the REC as often as possible.

Pleasure Maesteg, I'm targeting Sale as my first home game so it would be good to catch up with you then if possible? I'll be going to Worcester on Saturday as it's so close, I'd like to make the Saints fixture, but a Friday night game is borderline impossible with the M5 being so shoite.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

You may want to try and be a little more condescending there Sam...

Don't mean to be but Bath have made plenty of tight five signings in recent years and their tight five has always been their major weakness. This signing is one of the best in recent times but even so I'll rate the Bath tight five when I see it perform.

Nah, it's cool Sam. If I was a sensitive soul I could have found some offense in there if I'd wanted to, but I know your style and you just call it the way you see it. They did look very solid against the O's though and they went through plenty of permutations, the acid test of just how good they are will come against Saints I think.

I'm pretty optimistic that Bath will not be getting shoved off the ball this season, particularly after some of the shamings they had last term.

PJ I hope you're right, there's some promising young England talent in the Bath pack in the likes of Webber, Wilson, Attwood and Fearns. We need them to be pushing their way into the reckoning next season and they won't do that if they are taking a hiding every week up front, Gold should help that a bit. Hopefully some additional grunt from James at loosehead and Webber at hooker will be just the ticket (except when you play Tigers of course).

Just seen that Frans Louw has been added to the SA training squad! This is a disaster! Likely he won't make the SA 22, but misses our weekend game. Bol locks!

Ouch, that's bad news for Bath. SA rugby selecting another non-SA based player is not good either, tells players that if they leave SA for a pay cheque they are still in contention. I notice Puke Watson is still not considered even with the Boks desperate for flanker cover.

Watson doesn't play in the S15! England wouldn't call up Chris York or Will Welch, would they?

SA littered with back row talent

That's a kick in the taters then. 6 is the one position Bath dont have good cover. Who will step into the breach for the Worcester game? Ovens?

Sam, gettingthose players into the England squad is the proverbial double-edged sword as you know only too well. I'd be happier if it was next season or the season after.

Flo makes such a difference to the team. He's one of the biggest ball carriers, a true link man, great offload, as well as playing like a 7 at the breakdown.

I guess we'll be looking at

6 Fearns
7 Mercer
8 Taylor / Skirving

or

6 Ovens
7 Fearns
8 Taylor / Skirving

Watson doesn't play in the S15! England wouldn't call up Chris York or Will Welch, would they?

I wouldn't put it past Lancaster and I think Watson will as of next season what with the Kings getting the Super 15 spot over the Lions.

Flo makes such a difference to the team. He's one of the biggest ball carriers, a true link man, great offload, as well as playing like a 7 at the breakdown.

He was your best player last season. Any chance of seeing young Skuse, Mercer or Ovens playing regularly at the start of this season or are they still behind the likes of Taylor and Skirving?

I wouldn't have said they were behind Taylor, but I don't pick the team.

My first choice back row would be Louw, Mercer, Fearns. I really want to see Fearns getting regular game time at 8, as I'd like him to be putting pressure on Morgan for England.

Mercer is still gaining experience but this could be a big breakthrough season for him, likewise for Skuse. Skirving probably edges both for the bench spot as he has more experience across the back row (he made every match day squad last season), personally I'd like to see Skuse bench more, but I would say now Ovens is fit again, he and Skirving will share bench duty, with Skuse getting opportunities in the Little Value or the "other cup" games.

I thought Louw was basically Bath's first choice 7? I see Mercer played 6 for the reserves, and Skuse appears to be well regarded by the new coaching team and may move ahead of him quickly.

KPN is another exciting prospect - always good to see a young TH coming through.

Louw is Bath's first choice Dave, but he's been snagged by SA for their training squad, so we're just guessing on the back row for the weekend, and how it may pan out for the youngsters over the coming season.

Yeah, I'm just confused as to why some people seem to see Louw at 6.

Just because that's where he will most likely be playing for Bath Dave, he's the best 6 Bath have there are a number of players that can play openside well, but none that can play blindside anywhere near as good as he can.

I've heard he'll be playing against Worcester but leaving straight after the game, I guess he won't feature again till early November.

formerly known as Sam wrote: I notice Puke Watson is still not considered even with the Boks desperate for flanker cover.

Watson is a great player, but he would be way way down the pecking list for SA. They are littered with back row talent. Even with all of their injuries I would hardly say they are 'desperate'.

I thought it was mentioned it might be a back rower. And one that is struggling to get a work permit, that would make sense......

http://planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_8033371,00.html

Bathite wrote:I thought it was mentioned it might be a back rower. And one that is struggling to get a work permit, that would make sense......

http://planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_8033371,00.html

He would be a big signing and great for Bath if they can pull it off.