BATH RUGBY - 2013/14

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New Thread for the new season - https://www.606v2.com/t54781-bath-rugby-pre-season-2014-15

Delighted with the draw, perfect result for us

Im sure you are ! Sadly im not but in all fairness in the last 3 weeks we played quins, saints and tigers and have won, lost and drawn one, which is probably a fair endictment of where we are at the moment.

I see us squeezing into the top four at the end of the season, Tigers will be a different animal with Allen and Tuilagi back in the centres and will likley jump us quins aren't quite there this year.
Sarries
Saints
Tigers
Bath

Well done Bath. You've done really well this season in my opinion, especially in the last 3 fixtures which were all tough games.

I see 4 games that Leicester could lose in my opinion - Quins away,Saints away,Sale away Saracens home.

I see 6 games that Quins could lose - Gloucester away,Saracens away,Sale away,Leicester home,Exeter away, Bath home

I see 5 games that Bath could lose - Exeter away, Saracens home, Gloucester away,Saints home,Quins away.

Basically in my opinion Quins have the toughest run in. Leicester have the easiest.

Expect it go down to the wire on the last day with Quins at home to Bath and Leicester at home to Sarries.

Yeah we've done ok with some tough fixtures, but really should have got the win at Tigers.

That's not a bad run in, that's a worse case their, but i'd hope we'd beat Exeter, never lost to them, Glos in terrible rut and think we can beat Sarries or Saints at home

Bathite very true.  Of course you could win them all but those are the ones I picked out as potential losses. I think the general feeling is that Quins will be pushed out of the top 4 by Leicester.

I think you're right though mate, I could predict us to win and lose many of those games. I think/hope we'll pip Quins to 4th, but don't rate us having much chance away to Sarries or Saints in a semi. Having said that, a 4th finish would be a really good result for us and would exceed most people's expectations. Back in the HC as well is crucial for attracting star players. Don't expect much transfer movement, but rumour is that money will be spent at SH, with Genia mooted, but already ruled out by ARU.

Bathite but as things stand there will be no HC for English clubs next season....

Still believe you can make 3rd.

Agree, you need someone at 9. Stringer at 36 years old will definitely need replacing.

Who do you think you'll get?

I'm pretty disappointed we didn't manage to get the win at Welford road, If Ford had taken a few pots at goal rather than going for the corner... Probably a fair result in the end though.

Sitting in 3rd after a tough Christmas run of games is a good place to be though. I hope the likes of Louw get some time off during the European break so they are fresh and ready for the league resuming.

I'd like to think 3rd is still achievable, although I think we may end up in 4th and then be shamed away at Sarries.

I can't believe there will be too many changes to the squad, the stated aim is for good quality English players with a sprinkling of high quality foreigners, so looking at the squad you would think a international level 9 to replace stringer would be the aim, although I doubt theres room in our cap to spend the big bucks.

As much as it pains me to say this, Bath are looking a really decent side at present. My personal preference is always to have a forward dominated game, so I like seeing a big pack rumble forward and in Louw you've got the best forward in the Jeff.

Fortunately, by April we will have found some form and you will have hit the wall... I can but live and hope!

For me the game changed once stringer went off, bath really need to get a top SH to fill the void, I have no idea who we should get?

Thoughts anyone?

Andy Ellis would be good, world class, unloved by the all blacks and at 29 is young enough to be good, but old enough to be chasing the final pay day !!

Not a bad shout that one. But, I thought that Cowan was going to be a great signing and he was always miles above Ellis in the AB pecking order. 

Will Ellis be a Donald or a Louw??

I think we should try and tempt someone like Wigglesworth, he is too good to spend most of his time on the bench.

Scrumpy wrote:I think we should try and tempt someone like Wigglesworth, he is too good to spend most of his time on the bench.

Wigglesworth has played in every single AP game this season. Doesn't start every game admittedly but he's given gametime in every match.

He might leave if Bath offer his enough £ but I doubt it. He's playing well and getting good gametime - not sure why he would leave other than money or a change in scenery.

Yeah, can't see him leaving, that's a weird one to target Scrumpy. He'll only play more and more rugby as De Kock moves towards retirement as well.

Could get much better value for money elsewhere, as we'd have to throw silly money at him and he's not worth it.

The offer of a starting place behind a big powerful pack with Bath wouldn't hurt his England chances.

To be honest I'm struggling to think of a replacment for Stringer, whatever that guy is taking I want some.

Bathite I agree with that though Wigglesworth is useful because he is unlikely to be called up.

By the way what has happened to Micky Young?

Probably best to sign a SH scrum half who will be available all year round.

Cowan should be available.  

Scrumpy because Wigglesworth doesn't already have a big powerful pack to help him?

beshocked wrote:Bathite I agree with that though Wigglesworth is useful because he is unlikely to be called up.

By the way what has happened to Micky Young?

Probably best to sign a SH scrum half who will be available all year round.

Cowan should be available.  

Scrumpy because Wigglesworth doesn't already have a big powerful pack to help him?

But he is a 2nd string No9 at Sarries.

Weren't you guys on the verge of signing Joe Simpson a few years ago? Wouldn't he be in the frame again?

Scrumpy wrote:

beshocked wrote:Bathite I agree with that though Wigglesworth is useful because he is unlikely to be called up.

By the way what has happened to Micky Young?

Probably best to sign a SH scrum half who will be available all year round.

Cowan should be available.  

Scrumpy because Wigglesworth doesn't already have a big powerful pack to help him?

But he is a 2nd string No9 at Sarries.

No he isn't.

http://www.premiershiprugby.com/matchcentre/fixtures/squads.php?player=4939&includeref=dynamic

Perenise to leave bath for Bristol, the only reason I would imagine Perenise would leave when he is getting regular game time to play in a lower division (promotion no way guarenteed is....... (A) Money (could bristol match his bath wage ? or (B) Bath have told him that Henry Thomas is coming to the rec !

Dwayne Peel also to bristol !

Joe simpson maybe a good signing although he does seem injury prone and with a small but creative 10/12 combo I would maybe be looking for a 9 with an immense pass and great boot, perhaps a 25 year old Fourie du Preez !

HongKongCherry wrote:Weren't you guys on the verge of signing Joe Simpson a few years ago? Wouldn't he be in the frame again?

I bloody hope not, he's a terrible SH, but an ok winger

I had heard the rumours but I'm gutted Perenise has gone, all the best fella even if you are at Bristol.

beshocked wrote:

Scrumpy wrote:

beshocked wrote:Bathite I agree with that though Wigglesworth is useful because he is unlikely to be called up.

By the way what has happened to Micky Young?

Probably best to sign a SH scrum half who will be available all year round.

Cowan should be available.  :whistle:

Scrumpy because Wigglesworth doesn't already have a big powerful pack to help him?

But he is a 2nd string No9 at Sarries.

No he isn't.

http://www.premiershiprugby.com/matchcentre/fixtures/squads.php?player=4939&includeref=dynamic

Looks like he's starting way more games this year than last, probably a reflection on De Kock's age

What we need is an internationally capped southern hemisphere player who is available all year round, but second choice at his club and would be good value.

Michael Classens anyone???

Bathite wrote:What we need is an internationally capped southern hemisphere player who is available all year round, but second choice at his club and would be good value.

Michael Classens anyone???

Hmm

Looks like Ford is going to replace Flood

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/10557371/George-Ford-to-replace-Toby-Flood-in-England-Elite-Player-Squad.html

Great for him, loads more experience and will push him to develop further. On the flip side he is not the finished article yet and all the newspaper articles will be focussing on him in the lead up and during the six nations. I fear if his wobbly boot in front of the posts makes an appearance the media will rip him a new one. Notwithstanding he has a mature head on young shoulders so good luck.

This season during the international windows we have an apt replacement in Heathcote (assuming he's not with Scotland) although next season we will be looking for heathcotes replacement.

For the last 2 world cups bath had the world cup winning fly half playing for them after the tournament finishes....Butch james 2007, Stephen donald 2011 and hopefully George Ford 2015 !!!

As you'd expect after the last 3 weeks, a much changed side for the Amlin

15. Anthony Watson
14. Richard Lane
13. Gavin Henson
12. Ollie Devoto
11. Tom Biggs
10. Tom Heathcote
9. Micky Young
1. Paul James (c)
2. Eusebio Guinazu
3. Juan Pablo Orlandi
4. Dominic Day
5. Ryan Caldwell
6. Mat Gilbert
7. Carl Fearns
8. Leroy Houston
 
16. Ross Batty
17. Anthony Perenise
18. Kane Palma - Newport
19. Matt Garvey
20. Guy Mercer
21. Martin Roberts
22. Jonathan Joseph

23. Matt Banahan

Dragons team to face Bath Rugby

Dan Evans, Matthew Pewtner, Ross Wardle, Ashley Smith, Tom Prydie, Jason Tovey, Richie Rees; Owen Evans, T. Rhys Thomas, Nathan Buck, Andrew Coombs (c), Rob Sidoli, Jevon Groves, Nic Cudd, Toby Faletau.

Replacements

Elliot Dee, Hugh Gustafson, Dan Way, Matthew Screech, Ieuan Jones, Luc Jones, Steffan Jones, Pat Leach.

Prediction munkian?

I go for Bath 28 - Newport 16  

Wouldn't be far off, supposed to be dry so no excuses for no tries...   

And its Dragons. You'll get stick for calling us Newport at the game

munkian wrote:And its Dragons. You'll get stick for calling us Newport   at the game

I'd rather use you real name.   

I'd use Bath's but I'd get banned

But Newport is your name, how can fans get upset about that?  

Plus I don't believe in Dragons!

sirtidychris wrote:Great for him, loads more experience and will push him to develop further. On the flip side he is not the finished article yet and all the newspaper articles will be focussing on him in the lead up and during the six nations. I fear if his wobbly boot in front of the posts makes an appearance the media will rip him a new one. Notwithstanding he has a mature head on young shoulders so good luck.

This season during the international windows we have an apt replacement in Heathcote (assuming he's not with Scotland) although next season we will be looking for heathcotes replacement.

For the last 2 world cups bath had the world cup winning fly half playing for them after the tournament finishes....Butch james 2007, Stephen donald 2011 and hopefully George Ford 2015 !!!

Or Owen Farrell...

How do you rate Tom Heathcote?

Scrumpy wrote:But Newport is your name, how can fans get upset about that?  

Plus I don't believe in Dragons!

It is weird and the headscratch emoticon is a good call.
The team is called N****** Gwent Dragons (it says so on their website, their shirts and their merch etc) and owned by N****** Rugby Football Club Ltd nonetheless, but apparently the fans have been persuaded to not chant N****** coz it sounds too N******.
Bonkers.

It's not bonkers at all, the Region is Gwent and its feeder clubs.

If Bath, Gloucester and Bristol became a region would ex Bath fans be happy chanting Gloucester!and vice versa ?

munkian wrote:It's not bonkers at all, the Region is Gwent and its feeder clubs.

If Bath, Gloucester and Bristol became a region would ex Bath fans be happy chanting Gloucester!and vice versa ?

Gwent doesn't exist any more though and neither do feeder clubs or fire breathing Dragons.
Newport exists though, heavens above there's a surprise as my mother used to say.
And leave those proud English rugby clubs out of our own Welsh rugby mess.

Are you seriously suggesting Dragons ever existed ? You're a silly man and I'm not going to converse with you

Bath must be desperate if they are playing Henson.

Comfy win in the end for Bath. Bp by half time and looks like they gave up after that.

Good win for Bath but Newport didn't really put up a fight.

How did Henson do?

I think depending on how wasps do we should be in pole position for the quarter finals and avoiding a team dropping down from the heneiken.

Home for the weekend and just back from the game, was very poor 1st half and the game was done and dusted by 25-30 minutes.

Put up a bit of a fight in the 2nd half but Bath were coasting by then, its great that we have Brew back and Byrne for next season but our problems were clearly evident form the off and if we don't get a top notch or even half decent t/head in then we won't do anything.

Are the rumours true?

Bath are looking at signing Genia?
Also heard Stringer wants another year contract for next season, which I guess would be more realistic.

Scrumpy wrote:Are the rumours true?

Bath are looking at signing Genia?
Also heard Stringer wants another year contract for next season, which I guess would be more realistic.

Genia would have the pick of any French team paying megabucks so Bath have no chance. Also, why would he give up Australia before the RWC?