ERCC: Pool 4, Round 6 - Bath Rugby v Glasgow Warriors

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Bath Rugby v Glasgow Warriors
Pool 4, Round 6
Sunday 25 January 2015, KO 13:00
The Recreation Ground, Bath

Live on BT Sport

Referee John Lacey (Ireland)
Touch Judge 1 Sean Gallagher (Ireland)
Touch Judge 2 Olly Hodges (Ireland)
Fourth Official Peter Huckle (England)
TMO Marshall Kilgore (Ireland)
Citing Commissioner Yves Thieffine (France)

A. Teams:

1. Bath Rugby

15 Anthony Watson
14 Horacio Agulla
13 Jonathan Joseph
12 Kyle Eastmond
11 Matt Banahan
10 George Ford
9 Chris Cook
1 Paul James
2 Rob Webber
3 Dave Wilson
4 Stuart Hooper (c)
5 Dominic Day
6 Matt Garvey
7 Francois Louw
8 Leroy Houston

16 Ross Batty
17 Nick Auterac
18 Henry Thomas
19 Dave Attwood
20 Carl Fearns
21 Peter Stringer
22 Ollie Devoto
23 Sam Burgess

2. Glasgow Warriors

15. Sean Maitland
14. Tommy Seymour
13. Mark Bennett
12. Alex Dunbar
11. DTH van der Merwe
10. Finn Russell
9. Herny Pyrgos

1. Gordon Reid
2. Pat MacArthur
3. Mike Cusack
4. Jonny Gray
5. Al Kellock (Captain)
6. Leone Nakarawa
7. Fraser Brown
8. Richie Vernon

16. Kevin Bryce
17. Jerry Yanuyanutawa
18. Jon Welsh
19. James Eddie
20. Sean Lamont
21. Niko Matawalu
22. Peter Horne
23. Peter Murchie

B. Tournament Form:

1. Bath Rugby

18/1/15 - Toulouse 18 - 35 Bath

12/12/14 - Bath 32 - 12 Montpellier

5/12/14 - Montpellier 5 - 30 Bath

2. Glasgow Warriors

18/1/15 - Glasgow 21 - 10 Montpellier

13/12/14 - Glasgow 9 - 12 Toulouse

7/12/14 - Toulouse 19 - 11 Glasgow

C. Head to Head

7 Played 7
5 Wins 2
2 Losses 5
0 Draws 0
19 Tries 18
11 Conversions 13
19 Penalties 17
0 Drop Goals 0
174 Points 167

Congratulations to Bath, great game of rugby. Glasgow could have had a lot easier time of it if they had gotten some points against Toulouse. Louw hadn't done much all game but made the decisive steal in the end.

Could Andy Nichol have been any more biased (well not quite as bad as Jiffy, but awfully one-eyed!)?

looks like it will be bath away vs leinster in that qf.

tough luck glasgow. really good game i thought. dont think glas can really complain about the ref. the infringed too much in the middle of the park at key moments which handed the advantage to bath.

George Carlin wrote:Niko on. Bath fans might see what they're going to get for their money next year.

A lot of shuffling around with the ball not really committing to any one option before giving it out it seems.

I'm gutted for Glasgow. But you can't scrum like that and win things. Tight play has always been their achilles heel at the very highest level, teams in the Pro12 don't expose it much but the French and English will.

Penalty count of 6-16 tells you all you need to know about this game

Too many injuries and too many mistakes for us. We didn't get the rub of the green but neither did we definitely deserve to win.

Credit to Bath though - to lose your first two games and still top the group takes a large pair of nuts. Excellent that Toulouse had a brainfart as well this evening.

Euan Murray should be ashamed. Sitting at home whilst our front row struggled so greatly.

Great game. This is what cup rugby should be. Back and forward with the lead, attacking play. Great contest.

Baths discipline won them the game. they hardly gave Glasgow any attacking penalties. Injuries to Glasgow made it harder task and today they did not get the rub of the green with the refs decision. Bath deserve it in the end for their discipline. NOt giving Glasgow the penalties in their half made a huge difference.

Proud of Glasgow given the circumstances but obviously I'm pretty certain that certain aspects of the game favoured the hosts nevertheless well done to Bath who approached the game in the right way. You can only beat what's in front of you and you can't blame them for anything that hindered Glasgow and you're performance against Toulouse was magnificent last week. Good luck for the rest of the competition.
Surely it's time to look at the standard of club rugby referees?

Well that was a tough one to take. The ref did us no favours, but we basically lost this game as we got killed up front. Unfortunately we just don't have the depth in our pack to cope with that many injuries. Vernon and Brown had outstanding games though, no blame on them. What defence though, there really is some spirit in this side.

Well done to Bath though, winning in Toulouse was what got them into this position and fair play to them for that.

Notch wrote:

George Carlin wrote:Niko on. Bath fans might see what they're going to get for their money next year.

A lot of shuffling around with the ball not really committing to any one option before giving it out it seems.

Right, just for that comment, I'm posting this again:

VinceWLB wrote:Penalty count of 6-16 tells you all you need to know about this game

yes. glasgow infringed too much at scrum and in open play in the middle of the park.

Brown did better than all the other who played 7 for Glasgow. what a game he had.

GLove39 wrote:Euan Murray should be ashamed. Sitting at home whilst our front row struggled so greatly.

That's not fair, he has his beliefs and if he wishes stand by them then that is right.

BT Sport are really annoying me that they keep going on about a Bath home QF. They can't get a home QF.

There you go! The penny finally drops.

It's Leinster vs Bath in Dublin.

George Carlin wrote:

Notch wrote:

George Carlin wrote:Niko on. Bath fans might see what they're going to get for their money next year.

A lot of shuffling around with the ball not really committing to any one option before giving it out it seems.

Right, just for that comment, I'm posting this again:

He can be very good, aye. But he can also be very bad! He was mainly bad today.

123456789 wrote:

GLove39 wrote:Euan Murray should be ashamed. Sitting at home whilst our front row struggled so greatly.

That's not fair, he has his beliefs and if he wishes stand by them then that is right.

Yes - but he shouldn't be on the Glasgow roster. He wants to pick and choose his games he should be doing it in the amateur game

Likely:
Metro - Sarries
Toulon - Wasps
Clermont - Saints
Leinster - Bath

Could see all home wins bar maybe Leinster - Bath. (Depending which Leinster turn up.

GLove39 wrote:Euan Murray should be ashamed. Sitting at home whilst our front row struggled so greatly.

His prayer didn't come to fruition unfortunately

quinsforever wrote:

VinceWLB wrote:Penalty count of 6-16 tells you all you need to know about this game

yes. glasgow infringed too much at scrum and in open play in the middle of the park.

Not going to disagree about the scrum but a lot of the breakdown penalties were fairly puzzling from Lacey. In any case congratulations to Bath, shame there wasn't more of a display of that vaunted offloading attack.

123456789 wrote:

GLove39 wrote:Euan Murray should be ashamed. Sitting at home whilst our front row struggled so greatly.

That's not fair, he has his beliefs and if he wishes stand by them then that is right.

Urghhh, yeah it probably is unfair, but damn having the rev today could have made a huge difference today. So infuriating, this was one of the biggest games in Glasgow history, a chance for a first ever European QF and he he's sat at home whilst his team mates were in the lurch.

Welly wrote: Likely:
Metro - Sarries
Toulon - Wasps
Clermont - Saints
Leinster - Bath

Could see all home wins bar maybe Leinster - Bath. (Depending which Leinster turn up.

Semi-finals consisting of three big-budget French teams and Leinster! Plus ca change...

Notch wrote:BT Sport are really annoying me that they keep going on about a Bath home QF. They can't get a home QF.

There you go! The penny finally drops.

It's Leinster vs Bath in Dublin.

Yesterday on the BBC News catch-up they were reporting that Ulster had moved into 2nd after the win over Tigers and would be waiting to see if they had a quarter-final place. Now, the qualifying may get a little complicated but...

Isn't that up to Glasgow? It's not like he's only just decided to do it. Glasgow know his position and they employ him under those condition. Can't blame him for that.

Notch wrote:

Welly wrote: Likely:
Metro - Sarries
Toulon - Wasps
Clermont - Saints
Leinster - Bath

Could see all home wins bar maybe Leinster - Bath. (Depending which Leinster turn up.

Semi-finals consisting of three big-budget French teams and Leinster! Plus ca change...

We'll just have to hope Sarries beat Clermont then, eh?

Glasgow saved their best back line play for this one, what a difference Bennett has made

Cyril wrote:

Notch wrote:

Welly wrote: Likely:
Metro - Sarries
Toulon - Wasps
Clermont - Saints
Leinster - Bath

Could see all home wins bar maybe Leinster - Bath. (Depending which Leinster turn up.

Semi-finals consisting of three big-budget French teams and Leinster! Plus ca change...

We'll just have to hope Sarries beat Clermont then, eh?

Aw hell naw!

TJ wrote:

123456789 wrote:

GLove39 wrote:Euan Murray should be ashamed. Sitting at home whilst our front row struggled so greatly.

That's not fair, he has his beliefs and if he wishes stand by them then that is right.

Yes - but he shouldn't be on the Glasgow roster.  He wants to pick and choose his games he should be doing it in the amateur game

He is not picking and choosing his games he has his religion and he wishes to follow it devoutly you cannot criticise a man for his beliefs. He's a talented rugby player and a devout Christian. You cannot disciminate against somebody's religious beliefs

No you can't. But a player who is not available for any reason for some of the games should not be on the roster. Its not religious discrimination.

i think the results of the last few weeks make it clear that any of these sides can get beaten at home (with the possible exception of Toulon )

i would be very very surprised if home teams win all 4 matches, irrespective of who is playing.

Well, Glasgow's phenomenal defence almost won that for them. Unlucky

teh_Dingmeister wrote:

quinsforever wrote:

VinceWLB wrote:Penalty count of 6-16 tells you all you need to know about this game

yes. glasgow infringed too much at scrum and in open play in the middle of the park.

Not going to disagree about the scrum but a lot of the breakdown penalties were fairly puzzling from Lacey. In any case congratulations to Bath, shame there wasn't more of a display of that vaunted offloading attack.

He was allowing a lot of time for the tackled player to get the ball back. I thought he was unfair on ickle jonny a couple of times but he was consistent by and large

VinceWLB wrote:Glasgow saved their best back line play for this one, what a difference Bennett has made

I think Bennett just played himself into the Scotland team today. Only question is whether Dunbar or Scott play beside him. Probably Dunbar if fit, just because of familiarity. Scott not quite hitting the heights yet since coming back, Bennett just has that creative spark that none of the other centres do.

The Saint wrote:

VinceWLB wrote:How much did PRL paid Lacey

m

I've occassionally thought that Toulon have done just that this year. Luckiest team going, but probably also the strongest.

I see what you mean mate, Armitage got away with not releasing the tackled player and not supporting his own weight like there is no tomorrow yesterday.

TJ wrote:No you can't.  But a player who is not available for any reason for some of the games should not be on the roster.  Its not religious discrimination.  

But we have players who seem to be perpetually injured yet they continue to be kept on the roster. I wish he wasn't so religious and it is frustrating, I took issue with the idea that he should be "ashamed".

I have realised that the only six nations game I'm going to is on a Sunday so will be watching the pack retreating from the poor seats given the newly astronomical prices at Murrayfield

TJ wrote:No you can't.  But a player who is not available for any reason for some of the games should not be on the roster.  Its not religious discrimination.  

I assume you hold this argument for single mother's etc who need to work on flexi time or part time?

Do also lament people who miss games for the birth of their children or a death?

I have no doubt the rev is on a reduced salary to reflect his availability so what's the problem? We probably couldn't afford him otherwise. Better to have him half the time than none of it, especially when we have injuries.

BigGee wrote:

VinceWLB wrote:Glasgow saved their best back line play for this one, what a difference Bennett has made

I think Bennett just played himself into the Scotland team today. Only question is whether Dunbar or Scott play beside him. Probably Dunbar if fit, just because of familiarity. Scott not quite hitting the heights yet since coming back, Bennett just has that creative spark that none of the other centres do.

I agree with that. Another pivotal player who got broken at the wrong time.
At least he's back now and still seems to have the 'x' factor.

madmaccas wrote:

TJ wrote:No you can't.  But a player who is not available for any reason for some of the games should not be on the roster.  Its not religious discrimination.  

I assume you hold this argument for single mother's etc who need to work on flexi time or part time?

Do also lament people who miss games for the birth of their children or a death?

I have no doubt the rev is on a reduced salary to reflect his availability so what's the problem? We probably couldn't afford him otherwise. Better to have him half the time than none of it, especially when we have injuries.

I'd rather a lessor player who was available when needed. Its nothing like your first two examples - they are not a matter of choice. I work in a 24/7/ 365 day profession. We have many religious people working alongside me. they all work on Sundays.

123456789 wrote:

TJ wrote:No you can't.  But a player who is not available for any reason for some of the games should not be on the roster.  Its not religious discrimination.  

But we have players who seem to be perpetually injured yet they continue to be kept on the roster. I wish he wasn't so religious and it is frustrating, I took issue with the idea that he should be "ashamed".

I have realised that the only six nations game I'm going to is on a Sunday so will be watching the pack retreating from the poor seats given the newly astronomical prices at Murrayfield

Ashamed is certainly wrong - if anything he can be proud of standing up for what he thinks is right. I simply would not have him on the roster tho because of his choice to be unavailable

What a game!

Well done to Bath, commiserations to Glasgow. Bath 8 was brilliant, and the forward effort certainly was what won the match as Bath rarely looked like scoring from open play.

Glasgow were always going to struggle in this one given the makeshift pack, but Fraser Brown excelled at 7 given his recent gametime. Vernon did pretty well in the circumstances, although when he was an 8 he was always underpowered, now he's converted to centre he has lost a bit more bulk so a move back to the back row was always going to be a challenge!

In the backs, Bennett was excellent and Maitland did look a lot better than he has all season. Russell showed good and bad, I really like his cheeky dummies! Niko was, well, Niko. Trying too hard to look for the little breaks and ended up running laterally so if he did decide to pass, it was man and ball.

Forward did get mullered though, can't expect much when you've got Kellock and Vernon supporting the front row though...

A word on the ref, I've never been a fan of Lacey but overall the result was probably correct, he has to take some credit for that. Glasgow were not awful (apart from the scrum) but neither could even the most one eyed weegie (Schiz?!) sit here and say Glasgow deserved to win. His suggestion of scratching off the Vernon try was thankfully dealt with in no uncertain terms by the TMO, but apart from that, meh. Not quite sure why the scrum try was awarded as a penalty try but you run that risk when your scrum marches backwards over the line! Unfortunately, with a pack getting mashed that badly decisions at scrum time will not go your way. First Glasgow try could have been a forward pass as well so you win some, you lose some.

Finally a word for Joseph and Watson - both looked really good and sharp, excellent players. Both could surely get a good look-in at the 6N?

Whether or not a team signs him is not his fault either, he wants to play rugby at the highest level he can, as we all do, fortunately his talent is such he's played for the Lions. I do understand your argument but to say he should feel responsible for the defeat is unfair, we lost because Bath were better on the day, some of the referee's decisions were slightly less than helpful to an even battle and the injuries to Hogg, Harley, Fusaro and Strauss.

The people should be ashamed are Grant and Wilson, unless they are proved innocent in which case it should be whoever falsely accused them.

Once you have factored that in then we can discuss the extent to which Murray should be ashamed but quite frankly I am just proud that a Scottish team just pushed arguably the best team in England that close with that many injuries away from home. From a Scotland and Glasgow perspective obviously I am bitterly disappointed but if every Scottish player plays with the same determination and courage as the Glasgow players did today then we should be in for a great year.

TJ I would understand your point if he had joined Warriors and then suddenly announced that he wouldn't play on Sunday. However they knee exactly what they were getting when they signed him. I would be more concerned that he has been Poopie.

TJ wrote:

123456789 wrote:

TJ wrote:No you can't.  But a player who is not available for any reason for some of the games should not be on the roster.  Its not religious discrimination.  

But we have players who seem to be perpetually injured yet they continue to be kept on the roster. I wish he wasn't so religious and it is frustrating, I took issue with the idea that he should be "ashamed".

I have realised that the only six nations game I'm going to is on a Sunday so will be watching the pack retreating from the poor seats given the newly astronomical prices at Murrayfield

Ashamed is certainly wrong - if anything he can be proud of standing up for what he thinks is right.  I simply would not have him on the roster tho because of his choice to be unavailable

Yeah, was a bit harsh there.
Although when he see's the score and how the game went I do wonder if deep down there'll be regret that he wasn't playing?

Great point numbers re Grant & Wilson

Lacey should be demoted from the referee panel for wanting to disallow THAT try.

The game don't need ref like him.

VinceWLB wrote:Lacey should be demoted from the referee panel for wanting to disallow THAT try.

The game don't need ref like him.

This is why we have a TMO. once again the system worked well. TJ flags a suspected offence, TMO reviews it and reaches the right decision. No issue with that at all.

TJ wrote:

VinceWLB wrote:Lacey should be demoted from the referee panel for wanting to disallow THAT try.

The game don't need ref like him.

This is why we have a TMO.  once again the system worked well. TJ flags a suspected offence, TMO reviews it and reaches the right decision.  No issue with that at all.

Yes but there is something wrong when the TMO is better than the ref.

Well played both teams and congratulations to Bath. Exciting stuff and a proper group to watch evolve with eventually Montpelier really putting the cat amongst the pigeons..

Even better was that every player involved in that try was SQ.

cakeordeath wrote:TJ I would understand your point if he had joined Warriors and then suddenly announced that he wouldn't play on Sunday. However they knee exactly what they were getting when they signed him. I would be more concerned that he has been Poopie.

Agreed. Although the logic of ruling yourself of Sundays as a pro player when that's close to 40% of matches has in the past rankled but at the end of the day it's his decision and the club employed him on those terms.

Is it not a bit of a moot point anyway? He has been a shadow of his former self in the scrum so far this season. Cusack and Welsh have both looked as good, if not better, so it's not like his presence would have been likely to turn the scrum from shoite to good.

TJ wrote:

123456789 wrote:

TJ wrote:No you can't.  But a player who is not available for any reason for some of the games should not be on the roster.  Its not religious discrimination.  

But we have players who seem to be perpetually injured yet they continue to be kept on the roster. I wish he wasn't so religious and it is frustrating, I took issue with the idea that he should be "ashamed".

I have realised that the only six nations game I'm going to is on a Sunday so will be watching the pack retreating from the poor seats given the newly astronomical prices at Murrayfield

Ashamed is certainly wrong - if anything he can be proud of standing up for what he thinks is right.  I simply would not have him on the roster tho because of his choice to be unavailable

I imagine at the end of the season he will have played as many games as most of the other props and certainly more than some and I would not question his commitment while he has been on the pitch. I think what is being said about him is a bit harsh as well. That aruement has been had and on the whole most people except his faith. We signed him knowing that we would have situations like this. Toonie always rotates his players anyway and at Murray's age, that is no bad thing anyway, we will get more out of him over a whole season because of that.

We did not lose today because of Murray, the whole pack was underpowered and 2 of our other players were otherwise occupied. They may or may not be guilty of what they were charge with, but at the very least it was not clever to have put themselves into that position. The fact remains that we did not qualify because we did not beat Toulouse at home, something we were very capable of doing. Nothing to do with Murray.