BATH RUGBY - 2014/15

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The dedicated home of all things Bath Rugby,
 
Please feel free to discuss all things Bath related, even crazy post 2015 RWC signings, The Rec development ongoing saga or the latest Dyson!   
 
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Pre season
Sat 16th Aug 14;15 Bath vs Scarlets
Sat 23rd Aug 14:15 Jersey vs Bath
 
Sat 6th Sep 14 14:00  Sale Sharks v Bath Rugby
Sat 13th Sep 14 15:00 Bath Rugby v London Welsh
Sat 20th Sep 14 15:15 Bath Rugby v Leicester Tigers
Sat 27th Sep 14 15:15 Northampton Saints v Bath Rugby
Fri 3rd Oct 14 19:45  Bath Rugby v Saracens
Sun 12th Oct 14 14:00 Wasps v Bath Rugby
Sat 15th Nov 14 15:00 Bath Rugby v Newcastle Falcons
Sat 22nd Nov 14 15:00 London Irish v Bath Rugby
Sat 29th Nov 14 15:00 Bath Rugby v Harlequins
Sat 20th Dec 14 15:00 Gloucester Rugby v Bath Rugby
Sat 27th Dec 14 15:00 Bath Rugby v Exeter Chiefs
Sat 3rd Jan 15 15:00 Leicester Tigers v Bath Rugby
Sat 10th Jan 15 15:00 Bath Rugby v Wasps
Sun 15th Feb 15 15:00 Saracens v Bath Rugby
Sat 21st Feb 15 15:00 Bath Rugby v Northampton Saints
Sat 28th Feb 15 15:00 Exeter Chiefs v Bath Rugby
Sat 7th Mar 15 15:00 Bath Rugby v Sale Sharks
Sun 29th Mar 15 14:30 London Welsh v Bath Rugby
Sun 12th Apr 15 15:00 Newcastle Falcons v Bath Rugby
Sat 25th Apr 15 15:00 Bath Rugby v London Irish
Sat 9th May 15 15:00 Harlequins v Bath Rugby
16/17 May Bath Rugby v Gloucester Rugby
 
 
http://www.bathrugby.com/

The AP is a bit of step up from the Rabo to be fair

Of course. Which is why Leinster totally haven't won 3 Heineken Cups.

Oh no, wait. That's wrong.

Yea because the same Leinster side play week in week out in the Rabo as they do the HC......oh no wait, that's wrong.

Players that thrive in the Rabo won't neccesarily step up to the AP. It a higher standard and there's less space, I do like the boy though.

George Carlin wrote:Niko scored 22 tries in less than 60 games for us.
What more do Bath fans need to know?

You're stark staring crackers if you don't think that this is a signing coup.

Yup. A real match winner although he takes a lot of risks and will be caught out at time

Sgt_Pooly wrote:The AP is a bit of step up from the Rabo to be fair

Is it? Glasgow gave you a bit of a lesson!

Individually the teams can often match or sometimes even better the AP.

It's the league I have an issue with. Some of the line ups and standard of rugby is terrible, that's why it's often hard to judge if a player can handle the step up.

Yeah right. Compared to London Irish and London Welsh?

Welsh are a bit of an anomaly this season agreed. I'd say Irish were a fair bit stronger than Treviso, Zebra & Dragons though who even at their strongest are dross!

Congratulations Sam Burgess on taking your first dump at Bath, England beckons!!

Rabo is a large step up from Aviva. Glasgow just thrashed Bath

Evidence over wishful thinking

Great counter, I think we'll leave it at that.

So is Rhys Preistland signing for Bath?

Heard a few rumours flying around he is replacing Henson next season.

Been a rumour for a while and seems to be likely. Good enough back up for Ford, but keeping Henson would be a better option I think based on his recent form, flexibility and possibly cost also. 

Big chat about Duane Vermuelen joining as well, but it's between us and Toulon, so guess we will lose that.

Priest land doesn't make sense to me unless he is just annoyed that he doesn't have a dual contract and is sacking off internationals as a result. As it is he would be away at the same time as ford, which isn't an ideal quality in a back up!

Bathite I may be wrong but its hard to see us landing a signing like that, if A big French club want a player, we can't compete! Mind you I think our back row is pretty decent already.

Would Bath be looking to get shot of Henson? He's going to become redundant if they bring in Priestland and whatisname from up north plays centre as well.

Will that Glasgow guy be your second star player? Or are you just fitting him into that cap space you have left?

Or Will Vermulan be your second star player if you get him? Or Priestland? Or was it to be Burgess...

Matawala won't demand marquee wages no chance. He will be a straight replacement for stringer. If priest land joins he wil replace Henson and if (unlikely I think) Vermuelen i guess he would be the secomf marquee spot

Bathite wrote:Matawala won't demand marquee wages no chance. He will be a straight replacement for stringer.

I think they will have had to waved pretty large amounts at him to get him away from Glasgow.  He is a well loved player at Glasgow and has scored and made a lot of tries.  I hope Bath don't stand in the way of his international ambitions.

Agree Bathite, he'll be nowhere near a top earner at your place, I'm unsure if he'll even be first choice tbh. I imagine he's quite keen to test himself week in week out though, are his basics up to scratch? I'm not sure but he's good to watch.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Agree Bathite, he'll be nowhere near a top earner at your place, I'm unsure if he'll even be first choice tbh. I imagine he's quite keen to test himself week in week out though, are his basics up to scratch? I'm not sure but he's good to watch.

Not a very good WUM sarge... I think he's quite an exceptional player. He's first/second choice for Glasgow, depends on their tactics on the day. He'll walk into the Bath team if he feels like it. Besides that he didn't look bad when putting a try past them: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/29617082

On a side note, who is the marquee player/top earner's at Bath? Would Burgess be one of them? I doubt Matawalu is on as much, but his wage must be near double what he was on at Glasgow.

No Wum intended, I just think he needs testing at a higher level week in week out to see if he's good enough. He's a bit of a gamble.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:No Wum intended, I just think he needs testing at a higher level week in week out to see if he's good enough. He's a bit of a gamble.

What in Europe where he recently tore it up? Unless you're suggesting he move to the Top 14...

Any player can have one or two great games can they not? I just feel the Rabo is a poor league so it's hard to judge a players quality and if they can handle the step up to the AP.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Any player can have one or two great games can they not? I just feel the Rabo is a poor league so it's hard to judge a players quality and if they can handle the step up to the AP.

Fair if you think that - I agree that occasionally it is poor, much in part due to the standard of officiating and skills of some 2nd/3rd choice Welsh players. Glasgow have been one of the best in the league for quite some time however, and they did beat Bath who were in the Top 4 at the time? So perhaps some teams and their players aren't as bad as you make out.

Matawalu is a fantastic rugby player - but an average scrum half. His basic skills are not great. However his ability to run with the ball is.

Mike Phillips mark 2 then? In that case nothing to worry about.

I don't think the teams are bad at all, there's some fantastic teams at full strength that at least match their AP counterparts.

It's just the league I find a little poor, some of the line ups would get get 50+ points shipped on them weekly, a bit like LW now. I imagine this will change as the quest for European slots heats up.

I agree LT, I'm not sure he's a good scrum half, his skills will be put under test in the AP as it's more tactical.

LondonTiger wrote:Matawalu is a fantastic rugby player - but an average scrum half. His basic skills are not great. However his ability to run with the ball is.

Which I think is why at times Glasgow have played him on the wing rather than at 9 haven't they?

The Saint wrote:Mike Phillips mark 2 then? In that case nothing to worry about.

Well, Matawalu is a back who can cover SH. Phillips is a forward who can do the same

He's nothing like mike phillips. Very quick and unpredictable. He'll be an asset

mckay1402 wrote:He's nothing like mike phillips. Very quick and unpredictable. He'll be an asset

He hasn't started all of Glasgows games by any means- but the number of tries he has scored and made makes him a very valuable player. He has turned games in a moment and will make mistakes as well. He is a high risk high reward sort of guy. He is a very special player and his best is yet to come.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:No Wum intended, I just think he needs testing at a higher level week in week out to see if he's good enough. He's a bit of a gamble.

This rather odd 'unproven at the highest level' thing was tossed at him the last time Fiji played England. So when Niko scored a length of the field try against you in that game, I must admit that I did laugh.

There was a fair amount of luck in that try but it was a good effort.

This really doesn't disprove our argument that he may not have the quality at 9 to step up to the AP. It's a tactical and attritional league where weaknesses are highlighted, especially at half back. Look at Kahn at at Saints who's looked pretty average dispite shining in the Rabo.

Most of Niko's best work seems come from the wing, even when he's wearing 9.

The Saint wrote:

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Any player can have one or two great games can they not? I just feel the Rabo is a poor league so it's hard to judge a players quality and if they can handle the step up to the AP.

Fair if you think that - I agree that occasionally it is poor, much in part due to the standard of officiating and skills of some 2nd/3rd choice Welsh players. Glasgow have been one of the best in the league for quite some time however, and they did beat Bath who were in the Top 4 at the time? So perhaps some teams and their players aren't as bad as you make out.

Glasgow were on a great run of form at the start of the season and the match was at home for them. If they manage the double over Bath I'll take more notice.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:There was a fair amount of luck in that try but it was a good effort.

This really doesn't disprove our argument that he may not have the quality at 9 to step up to the AP. It's a tactical and attritional league where weaknesses are highlighted, especially at half back. Look at Kahn at at Saints who's looked pretty average dispite shining in the Rabo.

Most of Niko's best work seems come from the wing, even when he's wearing 9.

I wouldn't say Kahn shined in the pro 12. I thought he was pretty average actually. I also don't agree about Nikos best work being frm wing. he is best in enclosed spaces. Very hard to tackle and very elusive.

mckay1402 wrote:
I wouldn't say Kahn shined in the pro 12.  I thought he was pretty average actually.  I also don't agree about Nikos best work being frm wing. he is best in enclosed spaces.  Very hard to tackle and very elusive.

Re- Kahn, I would agree for his first season - though that was culminating 18 months of non-stop rugby. Thought he won a variety of POTY awards for his second season.

I agree that Niko is a great broken field runner, but as a SH I believe his passing and kicking are sub-standard. With a big pack and electric backs I woudl suggest that Bath could really do with Stringer being 10 years younger as his game would be perfect for them. As it is Chris cook is developing really well and will i suspect start the biggest games next season.

Very hard to tackle & elusive are not qualities that are top of my list when wanting a scrum half, they're bonus qualities really. What's his passing and kicking like under pressure? From what I've seen, it's not great.

Bath Rugby team to face Exeter Chiefs

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

Replacements
16. Ross Batty
17. Paul James
18. David Wilson
19. Dave Attwood
20. Carl Fearns
21. Sam Burgess
22. Micky Young
23. Ollie Devoto

Looks like a 5/2 split on the bench, with Burgess set up for a back row appearance. Could of course be complete kidology and actually a 4/3 split, as with Fearns already on the bench it seems strange. Either way, the bench is firmly set up for power, with limited pace and no outsdie backs.

First time we've been able to put out a first choice back row, which is exciting.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Very hard to tackle & elusive are not qualities that are top of my list when wanting a scrum half, they're bonus qualities really. What's his passing and kicking like under pressure? From what I've seen, it's not great.

Thats not when you play matowalo. You start him when your after winning bonus points. You bring him on late on in tight games to see if he can break the deadlock. He is not bad at the basics but its to misunderstand how to play him. Glasgow even started him at wing and then at 60 mins bring him to 9.

He was the difference between wining and losing for Glasgow a good few times.

Cheers Bathite, great looking team, almost our best squad, Burgess is a floater at the moment and I wouldn't be surprised to see him come on the wing again. By February next year we need to have him locked in at 6,8 or 12 and develop him there, even if it means loaning him out to a championship side like we did with Will Spencer and David Sisi. I think everyone needs to forget about the world cup, he is no jason robinson or Isreal Folau where you can stick him out wide, he will come good in time but needs 80 minutes every week.

Enjoying the match :-) Playing like this Matowalo will fit right in

Bad move going for priestland. his kicking game is suspect , rarely goal kicks these days. anyone know if hensons contract is he gets paid only when he plays ? would explain the lack of games even though when he plays he's just "got it" all the stuff you just can't hope to coach in one player.

TJ wrote:Enjoying the match :-)  Playing like this Matowalo will fit right in

Just don't ask him to pass or kick

We've signed Orlandi from yourself. I know he didn't get too much game time but how was he? I remember him being quite tidy when in France. Deano reckons he covers LH but I can't recall ever seeing him play there.

Hard to say probably had about 4 hours rugby Max in total for us. Had a good pedigree before hand but never got game time, front row is pretty stacked for us.

Priestland confirmed.

Seems like an odd move for the bloke. He must know that he is joining a club which has the current England FH who's father is the coach.

I can only assume that he wants to get away from being made a scape goat in Wales and that not being offered a central contract made it pretty clear he wasn't in any long term plans.

Having said that I always thought he looked a pretty decent player and it can only be a good move to have two FH's in the senior squad. I assume this means Gav is off.

Good signing for Bath. Two guys competing or even a good back up if one stands out. Able to rest/rotate without a big drop off in quality, that's what's needed these days.

Bathman_in_London wrote:Seems like an odd move for the bloke. He must know that he is joining a club which has the current England FH who's father is the coach.

I can only assume that he wants to get away from being made a scape goat in Wales and that not being offered a central contract made it pretty clear he wasn't in any long term plans.

Having said that I always thought he looked a pretty decent player and it can only be a good move to have two FH's in the senior squad. I assume this means Gav is off.

Looks a pretty decent player when his confidence is high. But when his head goes down, it looks like he goes completely. If Wales decide to implement a home based selection policy he will probably be available to you in the international windows.

How his confidence will stand up to relying on Nico Matawalu for service is anyones guess!

If Homer comes and takes on the kicking (and gets into the backline!) then it would beneficial for both Priestland and Ford who can get the yips.