Cherrypicking? Bath v Gloucester PRC. Add Team News Here
mcConnochie: return?
By P G Tips
January 30 2019
Bath have a chance of cherrypicking, hosting Gloucester in the Premiership Rugby Cup at the Rec on Saturday. A derby victory in any competition is always welcome, but Bath’s hopes in the tournament are over and the focus is solely now on the Premiership. Todd Blackadder must therefore decide what team he wishes to field. Earlier this month he spoke of “going strong against Gloucester” to prepare for league challenges, so will Bath put out their strongest squad? And can fans expect a victory?
Gloucester themselves face a similar choice. They can qualify for the semi final round- but would need a bonus point win against Bath and results elsewhere to go their way. Currently they lie third of 3 sides vying for one remaining slot, with rivals Worcester and Newcastle arguably facing easier ties. Johan Ackermann will be running the rule over those returning from injury- forwards Hanson, Ackermann & Kriel, scrum half Heinz and utility back Marshall as well as considering Ollie Thorley- released by England. He too will have half an eye on the Premiership as the Cherry and Whites’ next pair of opponents could not be tougher – Exeter away, followed by Saracens at Kingsholm.
There is some good news on the injury front for Bath. Ruaridh McConnochie has recovered from his hamstring strain and is “ready for action”, while Charlie Ewels could be in consideration after absence through concussion. Nathan Catt “recovering well” from a shoulder niggle is unlikely to be risked though and should be held back for the Newcastle match on 16 February. Back row resources remain stretched so a front line trio of Louw, Mercer, Bayliss seems likely, with either Reid or Grant on the bench. Joe Cokanasiga has “not returned to fitness” in time to play for England, so will probably not be risked, similarly Jonathon Joseph if he is not needed by Eddie Jones.
Whatever selection Bath field, they will be looking to build on some improved performances. Recent victories over Leicester, Wasps (twice) and a gutsy showing away at Toulouse suggest an uplift, not only in playing fortunes, but intensity and ambition. While players had last week off, the coaching staff will have been taking stock, aiming to eradicate basic errors, tighten discipline and instil ruthlessness in finishing. Girvan Dempsey’s influence on attack has been more evident in recent weeks so they may have a few tricks to try out too.
Although the Premiership is the priority, this is the derby Bath most want to win. Bragging rights and the desire to silence the braying of the Cherry and White faithful should be all the motivation needed. Setting the tone for a determined assault on the Premiership ladder is vital too. Expect Bath to be fresh and firing: seeking a morale –boosting win.
Possible Teams:
Bath:V Rooyen, Dunn, Thomas Attwood, Charteris, Louw, Bayliss, Mercer, Chudley, Burns. McConnochie, Roberts, Willison, Rokodoguni. Homer
Replacements:Vaughan, Walker, Perenise, Stooke, Reid, Cook,
Priestland, Vuna,
Gloucester:Hohneck, Hanson, Balmain, Slater (Capt.), Grobler; Ackermann, Ludlow, Morgan. Braley, Cipriani. Banahan, Twelvetrees, Trinder, Sharples. Woodward.
Replacements: Marais, Rupava Ruskin, Dreyer, Mostert, Kriel, Vellacott, Hudson, Williams
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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2019:02:12:17:08:33 by P G Tips.
[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]
Bath Rugby team to face Gloucester Rugby
15. Tom Homer
14. Semesa Rokoduguni
13. Jonathan Joseph
12. Jamie Roberts
11. Ruaridh McConnochie
10. Rhys Priestland
9. Will Chudley (co-captain)
1. Jacques van Rooyen
2. Jack Walker
3. Max Lahiff
4. Dave Attwood
5. Luke Charteris (co-captain)
6. Elliott Stooke
7. Josh Bayliss
8. Paul Grant
Replacements:
16. Tom Dunn
17. Will Vaughan
18. Henry Thomas
19. Charlie Ewels
20. Miles Reid
21. Max Green
22. Freddie Burns
23. Jackson Willison
PG
Hope Miles Reid gets some game time. Like the look of him.
I probably don't know what i'm talking about.
15. Dom Coetzer
14. Matt Banahan
13. Henry Trinder
12. Tom Hudson
11. Jacob Morris
10. Lloyd Evans
9. Callum Braley
1. Alex Seville
2. Henry Walker
3. Ciaran Knight
4. Tom Savage
5. Alex Craig
6. Lewis Ludlow (capt)
7. Will Safe
8. Gareth Evans
Replacements:
16. Todd Gleave,
17. Paddy McAllister
18. Gareth Denman
19. Gerbrandt Grobler
20. Cam Terry
21. Charlie Chapman
22. Jack Reeves
23. Alex Morgan
Quote:hasta
I basically agree Opti, I just don't think Blackadder trusts Freddie.
Maybe he is protecting Burns for the bigger games to come
[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]
Quote:hemingtonQuote:hasta
I basically agree Opti, I just don't think Blackadder trusts Freddie.
Maybe he is protecting Burns for the bigger games to come
I can think of various reasons why Burns might not be starting - the above being one of them. It's just that I disagree with all of them (acknowledging the fact that nobody, least of all, TB, gives a sheet what I think).
Even if TB knows that FB is going to be second pick next season, he should still be investing game-time and confidence in him. If RP were clearly superior, it could possibly make sense, but there's practically no-one who sees him as unequivocally the better player, or the mastermind of any particular Bath triumphs.
This - along with the use of and timing of subs - seem (to me) to be quite concrete examples of TB weaknesses.
Quote:Ken I L Worth
Only one of that Gloucester starting XV isn't a product of our academy...5 points if you can spot the odd man out....
Options right that’s really impressive! Good stuff.
Hope Bannas has a good (not too good) game.
Have to say I’m in the camp that sees 2023 as too ambitious but a good thing to aim for.
With the teams as they are, we really should win this.
Adopted Players: All of the little blighters!!!
Quote:Most haven't played for weeks - do you want them starting cold against Newcastle when it really counts?OutsideBath
Do we really need to put out such a strong team in a pointless fixture?
Quote:hemingtonQuote:Most haven't played for weeks - do you want them starting cold against Newcastle when it really counts?OutsideBath
Do we really need to put out such a strong team in a pointless fixture?
No but with our luck with injuries it seems too big a risk to go that strong.
Quote:OutsideBathQuote:hemingtonQuote:Most haven't played for weeks - do you want them starting cold against Newcastle when it really counts?OutsideBath
Do we really need to put out such a strong team in a pointless fixture?
No but with our luck with injuries it seems too big a risk to go that strong.
Aren't they more likely to be injured the longer they haven't played competitively and this game they can go half competitivly. Don't know - there are arguments both ways - what would Brian Ashton or Jack Rowell have done?
Quote:hemington
what would Brian Ashton or Jack Rowell have done?
Ashton would have left it to the players to work it out for themselves.
Rowell would have insulted each of them personally and picked the 15 who laughed it off and said ‘Jack’s the greatest man manager i’ve ever worked with’.
Quote:OutsideBathQuote:hemingtonQuote:Most haven't played for weeks - do you want them starting cold against Newcastle when it really counts?OutsideBath
Do we really need to put out such a strong team in a pointless fixture?
No but with our luck with injuries it seems too big a risk to go that strong.
True, but when you go for it properly often you come out unscathed, the half hearted approach is the one where things get broken.