BATH RUGBY - 2014/15

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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/

Burgess surely will line up at 6/8, I really don't think he has the hands/gas to play at 12.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Burgess surely will line up at 6/8, I really don't think he has the hands/gas to play at 12.

Never stopped Bastarued! Nonu had awful hands when he first started as well. Who knows where he will play though

Yea I suppose, 25 is pretty old to learn how to pass mind. He could be a fantastic impact back rower.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Yea I suppose, 25 is pretty old to learn how to pass mind. He could be a fantastic impact back rower.

Surely that's easier than learning to ruck, maul and scrummage?! There already is a playmaker in the backline in Ford at 10, so distribution is not as key and it's not as if his passing is woeful.

Ruck, maul and scrummage are physical skills Burgess could adapt to imo. Passing is not a strong asset of his and he's slow for a back.

I think it would be easier to teach him some new skills rather than try and improve something he's clearly not great at (passing & acceleration)

Brad Thorne the most successful league convert in the history of the game, managed to learn all the 'dark arts' of forward play changing to union at the age of 25/26. He also happened to be the same height and weight as Sam and i think they both play second row in league although i dont follow it. IMO Sam and brad are very similar.

I think that we might be underestimating Burgess.

He would seem to be an ideal blindside in my estimation. A marauding, chopper role.

Totally agree George, he's a unique physical type player we don't really produce

Bath Rugby squad to face Scarlets

Props:
Nick Auterac, Paul James, Juan Pablo Orlandi, Kane Palma-Newport, Grant Shiells, Henry Thomas, David Wilson

Hookers:
Tom Dunn, Rob Webber, Tom Woolstencroft

Locks:
Dave Attwood, Dominic Day, Charlie Ewels, Stuart Hooper, Will Spencer

Back rows:
Tom Ellis, Alafoti Fa'osiliva, Carl Fearns, Matt Garvey, Mat Gilbert, Leroy Houston, Guy Mercer, Max Northcote-Green, David Sisi

Half-backs:
Chris Cook, Gavin Henson, Peter Stringer

Centres:
Kyle Eastmond, Jonathan Joseph, Ben Williams

Back three:
Luke Arscott, Matt Banahan, Richard Lane, Semesa Rokoduguni, George Wacokecoke, Olly Woodburn

So it looks like we are giving Henson a go at 10. 

No other option didn't replace heathcote did we and devoto for my money should be our starting 12.

Eastmond is an option at 10 for pre-season, he's played there in the amlin and LV before

No10 will be our Achilles heal this season

Scarlets team to take on Bath Rugby (first half);

15 Jordan Williams, 14 Kristian Phillips, 13 Steffan Hughes, 12 Adam Warren, 11 Kyle Evans, 10 Steven Shingler, 9 Rhodri Williams, 1 Peter Edwards, 2 Emyr Phillips, 3 Rhodri Jones, 4 Phil Day, 5 Johan Snyman, 6 Rob McCusker, 7 Sion Bennett, 8 Chris Hala'ufia

Second half Scarlets team to take on Bath Rugby (second half);

15 Gareth Owen, 14 Michael Tagicakibau, 13 Regan King, 12 Scott Williams, 11 Harry Robinson, 10 Steven Shingler, 9 Aled Davies, 1 Wyn Jones, 2 Kirby Myhill, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 4 Lewis Rawlins, 5 Richard Kelly, 6 Aaron Shingler, 7 James Davies, 8 Rory Pitman

Replacements: Gareth Davies, Phil John, Darran Harris, Craig Price

Just thinking, it may be worth keeping Henson off the pitch for this match IF he is looking likely to feature at 10 a bit this season, as last time he played the Scarlets he ended up on the physio table for a while.

We were very lucky with injuries last year, doubt we will be as lucky again, I think the forwards are okay with about 17 props, 10 locks and 15 back row players in the squad, but the half back/full back are looking thin. At least we have a backs coach now !! otherwise we would be signing 8 props every off season !!

Can someone confirm to me please...

Was Burgess bought with solely Bath funds, or have the RFU a financial input aswell? Ie Can they have a say in where he plays?

So, Burgess to start in the Centers and gradually move towards the back row - thats Fords big plan - aparently SL is on the same wavelength but they have no say in the development of Burgess as they didnt contribute to his transfer fee.

Yeah i thought that it was solely Bath.

All Bath I believe.

Centre was the only real option to start Burgess off with imo, as it will give him plenty of time to watch Ford kick the ball away and settle into the game!

Are you playing like the falcons this season ?

That's how we played last season...

Imagine the horror of a Burgess/Banahan centre combo!

I just look at that Bath squad and I still find it quite difficult to understand why Bruce Craig doesn't think he has to replace Tom Heathcote.

[quote="Bathman_in_London"]That's how we played last season...

Imagine the horror of a Burgess/Banahan centre combo![quote]

Imagine the horror of a Godman, Powell, Barnes midfield!!

Just as well you've got that pitch to encourage attacking rugby Geordie...!


George, call me cynical but I wonder if we would have signed more competition at 10 if the head coach didn't have his son there... Seriously though, who would want to come and know you were only going to play LV games?

Bathman_in_London wrote:Just as well you've got that pitch to encourage attacking rugby Geordie...!


George, call me cynical but I wonder if we would have signed more competition at 10 if the head coach didn't have his son there... Seriously though, who would want to come and know you were only going to play LV games?

Good point, and just before a RWC year too... Let's pray that Ford doesn't get injured or you'll be relying on the Exfoliated Swordsman to steer you through to league glory.

The centre's are starting to look pretty stacked, Eastmond, Devoto, Burgess, Williams, Banahan, Joseph even rokodguni. With that in mind i think its obvious that Henson is now seen as mainly a 10 by Ford for 2014/15. If henson can stay fit he is not a bad option there and a viable flyhalf. Also it wouldn't surprise me if we start to see eastmond developed there a bit more..having watched Devoto blossom at 12 last year and step up against the baba's for england, i reckon Devoto's increased size and subtle boot may see him leapfrog eastmond.

Henson at 10 isn't a bad option. He's defensively excellent in that position, has great distribution skills and vision plus he can kick the ball miles. He isn't especially quick though, and there's a big difference in terms of controlling the game at 10 than there is a 12, but as you say, you're stacked with options at centre so Henson at 10 makes the most sense.

10. Henson
12. Eastmond
13. Joseph

Plenty to trouble the Scarlets in that combination.

Maybe we should tempt Dan Parks out of retirement?

Bathman_in_London wrote:Just as well you've got that pitch to encourage attacking rugby Geordie...!


George, call me cynical but I wonder if we would have signed more competition at 10 if the head coach didn't have his son there... Seriously though, who would want to come and know you were only going to play LV games?

Oh the pitch is fabulous...but if your dont have the brain power to work out that when its torrential north Eastern rain coming down and the ball is like a bar of soap, a new pitch is irrelevant and you should kick the leather off the thing in your own half....sadly it appears most Falcon players...certainly those in key positions dont have that brain capacity.....

Bath team vs Sale

15. Luke Arscott
14. Semesa Rokoduguni
13. Jonathan Joseph
12. Kyle Eastmond
11. Anthony Watson
10. George Ford
9. Peter Stringer
1. Paul James
2. Rob Webber
3. David Wilson
4. Stuart Hooper ( c )
5. Dominic Day
6. Alafoti Fa'osiliva
7. Guy Mercer
8. Leroy Houston

Replacements

16. Tom Dunn
17. Nick Auterac
18. Henry Thomas
19. Dave Attwood
20. Carl Fearns
21. Chris Cook
22. Gavin Henson
23. Matt Banahan

Sale team

Luke McLean
Tom Brady
Will Addison
Mark Jennings,
Mark Cueto
Danny Cipriani
Chris Cusiter
Eifion Lewis Roberts
Marc Jones
Vadim Cobilas
Nathan Hines
Michael Paterson
Dan Braid (Captain)
David Seymour
Mark Easter

Replacements Cameron Neild, Ross Harrison, Alberto di Marchi, Jonathan Mills, Magnus Lund, Will Cliff, Joe Ford, Tom Arscott

So onwards and upwards, I'm pretty pleased with that win, I doubt Sale will lose too many at home this season. Interesting to see Kyle come in at 1st receiver for the winning try too, hopefully there will be a lot more of that this season.

So on to Welsh, they surely can't be as bad as they were this week, but 2/2 before we start a pretty tough run of matches would put us in a strong position.

A really tough first fixture for us and I'm delighted that we got the win, as I had us down for a narrow loss (for about 10 minutes I thought I was going to be right!). Obviously not a polished display, but promising efforts from JJ, Ford's place kicking obviously looking great and real impact from the bench with Auterac, Thomas and Attwood. I'll be back down at the Rec for the next two games, so looking forward to an improved performance against Welsh, to peak at the right time for Tiggers.

Was it me or does Ford look like his put some Bulk on?

Geat result for us, as for Sale I think not playing teams on a Friday night will affect them this season.

Sad to see Mat Gilbert leave Bath.

But good news that Watson has extended his contract.

I agree about Gilbert, I don't understand why he didn't get more game time.

Gilbert is a good player, but he'd never be ahead of Mercer of Alfie

Scrumpy wrote:Sad to see Mat Gilbert leave Bath.

Even as a Quins fan, it was great to see a deaf rugby player playing at the highest level. No news as to where he is off to, hopefully someone will snap him up.

I heard a rumour that he (Gilbert) just bought a house in Glaws!

Bath team to tear London Welsh a new one!

15 Luke Arscott
14 Semesa Rokoduguni
13 Jonathan Joseph
12 Kyle Eastmond
11 Anthony Watson
10 George Ford
9 Chris Cook
1 Paul James
2 Rob Webber
3 David Wilson
4 Stuart Hooper (c)
5 Dave Attwood
6 Carl Fearns
7 Guy Mercer
8 Leroy Houston



Replacements

16 Tom Dunn
17 Nick Auterac
18 Henry Thomas
19 Dominic Day
20 Alafoti Fa’osiliva
21 Peter Stringer
22 Ollie Devoto
23 Matt Banahan

How are you guys playing atm?

LondonTiger wrote:How are you guys playing atm?

Hard to tell really, Welsh wasn't really a test. Ford is playing brilliantly though, only missed 1 from the tee in 2 games, which is a big improvement. Joseph looks great at 13, which is good news. A few lineout wobbles this weekend, but backrow looking tidy at the breakdown. 

Big concern this weekend is that we shipped 4 tries. Never looked like losing, but certainly switched off for periods of the game.

What about you Tiggers? I've only seen highlights really.

Bit of a concern about Wilson and Watson following the Welsh game, hopefully both of them will be fit for next week.

Hard to read too much into the Welsh game to be honest, it was like an exhibition match at times, tackling optional! It was good to see Fearns playing well though, would love it if he could have a decent injury free run of games.

Bathman_in_London wrote:Bit of a concern about Wilson and Watson following the Welsh game, hopefully both of them will be fit for next week.

Hard to read too much into the Welsh game to be honest, it was like an exhibition match at times, tackling optional! It was good to see Fearns playing well though, would love it if he could have a decent injury free run of games.

Going to be an interesting match at The Rec next weekend. Think Tigers will have Croft back, always goes well against Barf (when he actually plays).

Bathite wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:How are you guys playing atm?

What about you Tiggers? I've only seen highlights really.

Well, usual start of season stuff really. We are looking a little underpowered up front which is unusual and missing far too many first up tackles. On the positive side Ben youngs is playing well, burns is settling in nicely and there are signs that Murphy is having an influence as backs coach.

Biggest worry is props. We have had to cancel tonights Development XV game against saints as we have insufficient fit props available.

I have 2 spare terrace tickets for sat's game £30 each ( terrace now sold out ) always to best place to be. Anyone interested ?

Can't see us beating Tigers unless our defence goes up several gears.

Bath Rugby side to face Leicester Tigers:
15 Luke Arscott,
14 Semesa Rokoduguni,
13 Jonathan Joseph,
12 Kyle Eastmond,
11 Matt Banahan,
10 George Ford,
9 Chris Cook,
1 Paul James,
2 Rob Webber,
3 David Wilson,
4 Stuart Hooper (capt),
5 Dave Attwood,
6 Carl Fearns,
7 Guy Mercer,
8 Leroy Houston.

Replacements: 16 Tom Dunn, 17 Nick Auterac, 18 Henry Thomas, 19 Dominic Day, 20 Alafoti Fa’osiliva, 21 Peter Stringer, 22 Ollie Devoto, 23 Olly Woodburn.

Wow