Prepare to Pounce: Bath v Newcastle Falcons

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2019:02:20:10:00:15 by P G Tips.

Big Joe released by England:

[www.somersetlive.co.uk]

PG

As important is that they don't get Mark Wilson back...

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

Quote:

BathMatt53
As important is that they don't get Mark Wilson back...

He has been retained!

PG

Well some good news....in a way...Joe C has been released to play this weekend. That must worry a few Newcastle fans!


Tyler Offiah
Opinion is based on assumptions, whereas fact is based on observation or research.

Nice play on words at the end there PG
Roberts; Joseph; Roko and Coco - very tasty

Officials for Saturday:

Bath Rugby v Newcastle Falcons (Recreation Ground, 3pm)

Referee: JP Doyle

Assistant Referees: Anthony Woodthorpe and Matthew O’Grady TMO: Stuart Terheege

Citing Officer: Andy Blyth

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

Excellent. JP is one of the saner Premier refs.

... IMHO, of course.

Now in Honolulu

You're on fire PGT! I love these:

'a tsunami from the Toon Army'
'raptors in raptures'
'sinuous Sinoti'

Thanks Opti!

PG

Bath Rugby team to face Newcastle Falcons

15. Tom Homer

14. Semesa Rokoduguni

13. Jonathan Joseph

12. Jamie Roberts

11. Joe Cokanasiga

10. Rhys Priestland

9. Will Chudley (cc)

1. Nathan Catt

2. Tom Dunn

3. Henry Thomas

4. Dave Attwood

5. Luke Charteris (cc)

6. Elliott Stooke

7. Francois Louw

8. Zach Mercer

Replacements

16. Jack Walker

17. Jacques van Rooyen

18. Max Lahiff

19. Charlie Ewels

20. Paul Grant

21. Max Green

22. Freddie Burns

23. Ruaridh McConnochie

Strong selection!

COYB!

PG

Not at all happy about Priestland starting over Burns. If he was unarguably better it would make sense, but he just isn’t and he won’t be here next year. @#$%& decision.

I like that team!

Adopted Players: All of the little blighters!!!

Quote:

Optimist
Not at all happy about Priestland starting over Burns. If he was unarguably better it would make sense, but he just isn’t and he won’t be here next year. @#$%& decision.

+ 1

Quote:

Optimist
Not at all happy about Priestland starting over Burns. If he was unarguably better it would make sense, but he just isn’t and he won’t be here next year. @#$%& decision.

You haven't a clue why that decision was made so how do you know it is a bad one? Or do you know more than the coaches.

That is exactly the team that I selected in the Chron team survey with the exception of FB over RP. My choice was purely because I think that FB offers more of a threat and gets the ball out more (when not being intercepted). Not much between them though in general terms IMO.

COYB!

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

Tidy team and tidy bench. About time we fronted up against the Falcons and this should be the game to do it. I’m looking forward to tomorrow.

I am a Burns fan but I can just about see the sense in him as an impact 10 in the last quarter when there should be more space for him.

That doesn't mean that RP can sit deep and wait to be subbed, that is a strong side and there will be an expectation of him to make good use of the possession he gets.

Quote:

hemington

Quote:

Optimist
Not at all happy about Priestland starting over Burns. If he was unarguably better it would make sense, but he just isn’t and he won’t be here next year. @#$%& decision.

You haven't a clue why that decision was made so how do you know it is a bad one? Or do you know more than the coaches.

IMHO FFFS

Quote:

Optimist
Not at all happy about Priestland starting over Burns. If he was unarguably better it would make sense, but he just isn’t and he won’t be here next year. @#$%& decision.

Not that any of us really knows the coaching reasons for Priestland starting ahead of Burns, with the best backline(on paper) we have been able to put out all season I imagine the priority of the FH will be to get us into good positions and set the back line moving.Freddie likes to make things happen, with acting as a link man coming secondary,which he can do coming off the bench if necessary.

Quote:

Optimist
Not at all happy about Priestland starting over Burns. If he was unarguably better it would make sense, but he just isn’t and he won’t be here next year. @#$%& decision.

Agreed

Quote:

hemington

Quote:

Optimist
Not at all happy about Priestland starting over Burns. If he was unarguably better it would make sense, but he just isn’t and he won’t be here next year. @#$%& decision.

You haven't a clue why that decision was made so how do you know it is a bad one? Or do you know more than the coaches.

This is a forum for people to express opinions among other things. We've all got opinions about players and are entitled to them. If you don't share that opinion or don't have one at all stay out of it.

Quote:

Beergoggles

Quote:

Optimist
Not at all happy about Priestland starting over Burns. If he was unarguably better it would make sense, but he just isn’t and he won’t be here next year. @#$%& decision.

Agreed

I am happy to accept the coaches know more than me about what is needed to win against Newcastle.
Surely you always play the side you consider to have the best chance of success.
If we get the top quality FH every one wants for next year,Freddie will most likely be on the bench again.

Stooke at 6 again is an interesting selection, he went well v Glaws last time out and I'll be watching him closely. As said above a strong team and am also surprised at RP starting over FB. Bring it on...

Adopted players: 24/25 J Bayliss; [24] O Lawrence; [23] J Cokanasiga; [22] M Green; [21] A Watson; [20] T Faletau; [19] M V Vuuren; [18] T Faletau; [17] D Denton; [16] H. Agulla; [15] L Houston; [14] W Spencer; [13] F. Louw

Family . Community . Nation - [sdp.org.uk]

My mind's been going places without me lately - Bushfire The B52's

I hope RP plays out of his skin and proves the doubters (me included) wrong. I still think that FB is much the better option though and that RP has shown very little quality in the BBW.

It's a relegation battle, FB is too hit an miss for such a vital game.

The 10 selection is questionable at best, at worst from a distance looks a cr*p decision. Anyone in Freddie's boots, assuming fully fit, would want the starting shirt and won't be comforted with, well it's a strategic selection to get you on fresh for the last quarter

That aside, it is a great backline with a very decent pack - I reckon even I should be able to conjure up a couple of 'golden tries' in the first half out of that mix. So take it away Rhys, show us what we could be missing next year and what a prospective employer might be gaining

Newcastle team:

15 Simon Hammersley

14 Zach Kibirige

13 Chris Harris

12 Pedro Bettencourt

11 Sinoti Sinoti

10 Toby Flood

9 Michael Young

1 Sam Lockwood

2 Kyle Cooper

3 Logovi'i Mulipola

4 Calum Green

5 Andrew Davidson

6 Will Welch (captain)

7 Gary Graham

8 Nemani Nagusa

Replacements

16 Santiago Socino

17 Adam Brocklebank

18 David Wilson

19 Will Witty

20 John Hardie

21 Sonatane Takulua

22 Brett Connon

23 Ben Stevenson

Quote:

Danchinho

Quote:

hemington

Quote:

Optimist
Not at all happy about Priestland starting over Burns. If he was unarguably better it would make sense, but he just isn’t and he won’t be here next year. @#$%& decision.

You haven't a clue why that decision was made so how do you know it is a bad one? Or do you know more than the coaches.

This is a forum for people to express opinions among other things. We've all got opinions about players and are entitled to them. If you don't share that opinion or don't have one at all stay out of it.

I was expressing my opinion. So I'll stay in please

To be honest with the players we have 1-9,11 to 15 and playing at home we ought to be able to win the game with Fred Flintstone playing at Fly Half. Still nervous though ...

Quote:

Optimist
Not at all happy about Priestland starting over Burns. If he was unarguably better it would make sense, but he just isn’t and he won’t be here next year. @#$%& decision.

You have a view on this which is fair enough but I don’t see how the fact that Priestland won’t be here next year is relevant. None of this makes it a @#$%& decision - just one you disagree with.

Quote:

Beergoggles
we ought to be able to win the game with Fred Flintstone playing at Fly Half.

Unavailable through injury BG - slid down the brontosaurus tail at the end of work and turned his ankle.

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

This is a very strong lineup on paper & it appears that Newcastle are without some of their first choice players so as long as we have been doing some good work on the training field we should win with something to spare, though this doesn’t mean we will!

Quote:

hemington

Quote:

Danchinho

Quote:

hemington

Quote:

Optimist
Not at all happy about Priestland starting over Burns. If he was unarguably better it would make sense, but he just isn’t and he won’t be here next year. @#$%& decision.

You haven't a clue why that decision was made so how do you know it is a bad one? Or do you know more than the coaches.

This is a forum for people to express opinions among other things. We've all got opinions about players and are entitled to them. If you don't share that opinion or don't have one at all stay out of it.

I was expressing my opinion. So I'll stay in please

You didn't express anything except irritation that another poster wasn't happy with a selection. It's petulant.

FWIW, i don't know why FB isn't starting, maybe he's not fully fit. As for the idea the coaches must always be right, that's laughable and doesn't apply in any sport across the globe. They're clearly better placed but they also make mistakes, or have prejudices regarding certain players. It's perfectly normal.
If any one tells me TB has never made a selection or tactical error in his time at Bath i will laugh my head off.

Bath Rugby team to face Newcastle Falcons

15. Tom Homer

14. Semesa Rokoduguni

13. Jonathan Joseph

12. Jamie Roberts

11. Joe Cokanasiga

10. Rhys Priestland

9. Will Chudley (cc)

1. Nathan Catt

2. Tom Dunn

3. Henry Thomas

4. Dave Attwood

5. Luke Charteris (cc)

6. Elliott Stooke

7. Francois Louw

8. Zach Mercer

Replacements

16. Jack Walker

17. Jacques van Rooyen

18. Max Lahiff

19. Charlie Ewels

20. Paul Grant

21. Max Green

22. Freddie Burns

23. Ruaridh McConnochie

Newcastle team

15. Simon Hammersley, 14. Zach Kibirige, 13. Chris Harris, 12. Pedro Bettencourt, 11 Sinoti Sinoti, 10. Toby Flood, 9. Michael Young, 1. Sam Lockwood, 2. Kyle Cooper, 3. Logovi'i Mulipola, 4. Calum Green, 5. Andrew Davidson, 6. Will Welch (captain), 7. Gary Graham, 8. Nemani Nagusa

Replacements

16. Santiago Socino, 17. Adam Brocklebank, 18. David Wilson, 19. Will Witty, 20. John Hardie, 21. Sonatane Takulua, 22. Brett Connon, 23. Ben Stevenson

Very strong looking team, no excuses, plus they are missing 4/5 key players (Goneva, Dunbar, Matavesi, Williams, Wilson)

With that match up this should be a 5 pointer.... SHOULD...

Good team, Stooke in the back row interesting

Wrong thread!

Honestly... I'd like to see Burns at 10 and Priestland at 15. I think we've looked at our best recently with two genuine playmakers on the pitch.

Quote:

hasta
Honestly... I'd like to see Burns at 10 and Priestland at 15. I think we've looked at our best recently with two genuine playmakers on the pitch.

Agreed, though I'd say the other way round - I think that was the setup against Toulouse, and (Freddie's howler aside) we looked very good in attack. FB is very good in broken play and still has a decent turn of pace on him, RP solid playing 10.

Quote:

Danchinho

Quote:

hemington

Quote:

Danchinho

Quote:

hemington

Quote:

Optimist
Not at all happy about Priestland starting over Burns. If he was unarguably better it would make sense, but he just isn’t and he won’t be here next year. @#$%& decision.

You haven't a clue why that decision was made so how do you know it is a bad one? Or do you know more than the coaches.

This is a forum for people to express opinions among other things. We've all got opinions about players and are entitled to them. If you don't share that opinion or don't have one at all stay out of it.

I was expressing my opinion. So I'll stay in please

You didn't express anything except irritation that another poster wasn't happy with a selection. It's petulant.

FWIW, i don't know why FB isn't starting, maybe he's not fully fit. As for the idea the coaches must always be right, that's laughable and doesn't apply in any sport across the globe. They're clearly better placed but they also make mistakes, or have prejudices regarding certain players. It's perfectly normal.
If any one tells me TB has never made a selection or tactical error in his time at Bath i will laugh my head off.

I don't think people including myself are saying the coaches are always right just that to say their selection choice is @#$%& sounds like the opinion of someone who knows a lot about the team and coaching in general or who has a high opinion of themselves.

Quote:

SJS

Quote:

hasta
Honestly... I'd like to see Burns at 10 and Priestland at 15. I think we've looked at our best recently with two genuine playmakers on the pitch.

Agreed, though I'd say the other way round - I think that was the setup against Toulouse, and (Freddie's howler aside) we looked very good in attack. FB is very good in broken play and still has a decent turn of pace on him, RP solid playing 10.

It was a real shame that the incident overshadowed what looked like a really good set up. Plus injuries meant we couldn’t give it another go. I was a big fan of it.

Wonder if Wilson at 10 and Burns at 15 would work in the same way? Just looked much more consistent in attack with two playmakers. That being said, Willison has stood at first receiver in his last few showings and looked perfectly capable. There’s certainly some options available!

I think the idea is to secure the win through Rhys then try to open up via Freddie.

Not saying I agree - would prefer Freddie at 10.


PG

Just my opinion but I think Priestland over Burns is the correct decision. He is better, more experienced, and although it was only Gloucester seconds last out, there is a continuity in the 9,10,12,13 selection. I don’t care that he isn’t here next year (I wish he was), but this is now, we need to win, so pick the better option.
Also like the decision to play Charteris alongside Attwood. Extremely underrated by some on here, but think his experience could be vital.
Can see us either clicking and it being brilliant, or we scrape a narrow 9-6 win. I’d take either if honest, but I do think we will come away with the points.

Quote:

Shorty Shorty iiv
With that match up this should be a 5 pointer.... SHOULD...

Agree, I'm going to be optimistic and say it will be with scores from Jonathan, Joe, Jamie
and Zach but not necessarily in that order.

Does anyone know anything about Newcastle's 12 Pedro Bettencourt and 14 Zach Kibirige ?
Really looking forward to this one.

Adopted Player 2018/19 Ross Batty
Adopted Player 2019/20 Jack Davies
Adopted Player 2020/21 Cam Redpath
Adopted Player 2021/22 Darren Atkins
Adopted Player 2022/23 Gabriel Hamer-Webb
Adopted Player 2023/24 Tom Carr-Smith
Adopted Player 2024/25 Max Ojomoh

"AN OUNCE OF ACTION IS WORTH A TON OF THEORY"
FRIEDRICH ENGELS

hard to see how RP starts over burns. freddie had an injured foot and that may account for RP's recent preference at 10, but assuming freddie is fit now and given there isnt much to choose between the two of them, giving the start to the guy who is leaving is daft. with the second row it is slightly different because even though big dave is leaving and charts is probably retiring, the two of them are our best second row combo. i have been impressed with charteris this season. playing much better than he did in his first two seasons with us.

Quote:

Awp24975
Just my opinion but I think Priestland over Burns is the correct decision. He is better, more experienced, and although it was only Gloucester seconds last out, there is a continuity in the 9,10,12,13 selection.

It does make sense if you are going to use Jamie Roberts to have RP at 10. Can't see JJ doing the full 80. Plenty of firepower in the backs.


Tyler Offiah
Opinion is based on assumptions, whereas fact is based on observation or research.

@oldbathtub

bettencourt i have seen a few times. biggish, strong running centre. a portuguese international. he's not bad. falcons signed him from a french club i believe at the beginning of the season. kilibirige is a young local lad. very promising. amazingly quick but defense isnt great. he will be up against big joe.given joe is very quick but dfensively frail it could be open season on that flank but you would expect joe to prevail.

@oldbathtub

bettencourt i have seen a few times. biggish, strong running centre. a portuguese international. he's not bad. falcons signed him from a french club i believe at the beginning of the season. kilibirige is a young local lad. very promising. amazingly quick but defense isnt great. he will be up against big joe.given joe is very quick but dfensively frail it could be open season on that flank but you would expect joe to prevail.

I'm still perplexed by the 'Burns as maverick' perception. He shed that within a year of going to Tigers. His defence is a lot more aggressive than Priestland's, and if you had to back one of them to dive on a loose ball you'd be more likely to find Priestland paying urgent attention to a loose shoelace. FB's kicking has been just as reliable, and he's perfectly capable of executing a kicking game if those are the instructions. Personally, I think FB is more likely to pick that flat, knife-edge pass that puts a wide runner clean through the defence.

Realistically, neither FB, nor Priestland have really delivered a string of definitive performances to fully own the shirt, and I can understand those that think RP nudges it. But i've yet to hear anyone argue that it's an absolute no-brainer as to who is first choice.

I can't help thinking that Blackadder just doesn't really like FB, because there is so little to choose between the two of them, that it makes no sense to me to undermine the confidence of the guy who will be here next year - irrespective of whether it's as starter or as back-up to a marquee 10.

All IMHFO of course.

Burns wastes so much ball. Two thirds of the ball he gets, he kicks away. No thanks. I don’t care what else he brings to the game when his first instinct is to kick (badly)

Very, very strong team. Has to be a win. If not...

It is a strong team, and pretty weak opposition. If the pack clicks, Dunn hits double-top and Chudley brings his A game, then RP is in for an absolute arm-chair ride, with bludgen and rapier options outside him. He is going to look good tomorrow, which will prove little to me.

I hope Bath don't take your view that the Falcons team is weak!

This is a Dean Richards team that will have a clear plan on how to win the game.

Quote:

OutsideBath
I hope Bath don't take your view that the Falcons team is weak!
This is a Dean Richards team that will have a clear plan on how to win the game.

That's why they are bottom then! Sorry, I find it very hard to respect DR.


Tyler Offiah
Opinion is based on assumptions, whereas fact is based on observation or research.

Deano is astute and sharp, but I think our lineup should dominate.

Rocko needs to keep Sinoti quiet and Flo needs to nail our old scrummie early on.

Don’t want to invoke a hoodoo but if we cannot get a 5 pointer wi5 those backs in decent conditions then we never will.

BBW by 2 or 3 scores.

Quote:

bardofavon
@oldbathtub
bettencourt i have seen a few times. biggish, strong running centre. a portuguese international. he's not bad. falcons signed him from a french club i believe at the beginning of the season. kilibirige is a young local lad. very promising. amazingly quick but defense isnt great. he will be up against big joe.given joe is very quick but dfensively frail it could be open season on that flank but you would expect joe to prevail.

Thanks !

Adopted Player 2018/19 Ross Batty
Adopted Player 2019/20 Jack Davies
Adopted Player 2020/21 Cam Redpath
Adopted Player 2021/22 Darren Atkins
Adopted Player 2022/23 Gabriel Hamer-Webb
Adopted Player 2023/24 Tom Carr-Smith
Adopted Player 2024/25 Max Ojomoh

"AN OUNCE OF ACTION IS WORTH A TON OF THEORY"
FRIEDRICH ENGELS

Quote:

ballsout
Burns wastes so much ball. Two thirds of the ball he gets, he kicks away. No thanks. I don’t care what else he brings to the game when his first instinct is to kick (badly)
Very, very strong team. Has to be a win. If not...

Despite the fact that England are making excellent use of the kicking tactic I have to agree seeing it go through the hands in a running game is by far the preferred option. Having said that now we have the speed of Ruaridh McConnochie and Joe Cokanasiga and providing we add a properly coached kick chase. (there you go BO), we could become seriously good at it.


Tyler Offiah
Opinion is based on assumptions, whereas fact is based on observation or research.

Just to be contrary, I'd have James Wilson at 10 by a country mile!

Quote:

TomReagan
... I'd have James Wilson at 10 by a country mile!

This.

... IMHO, of course.

Now in Honolulu

Quote:

OutsideBath
I hope Bath don't take your view that the Falcons team is weak!
This is a Dean Richards team that will have a clear plan on how to win the game.

The clear plan which appears to slow the game down to a snails pace and bore the pants off the opposition and the fans! That game lasted from kick off to final whistle exactly two hours an extra 40 mins including half time, mostly due to Falcon yellow jackets treating "injured" players!

Quote:

CoochieCoo

Quote:

OutsideBath
I hope Bath don't take your view that the Falcons team is weak!
This is a Dean Richards team that will have a clear plan on how to win the game.

The clear plan which appears to slow the game down to a snails pace and bore the pants off the opposition and the fans! That game lasted from kick off to final whistle exactly two hours an extra 40 mins including half time, mostly due to Falcon yellow jackets treating "injured" players!

One of those Michael Young passes accounted for nearly 10 minutes of that CC so it wasn’t just the gilet jaunes.

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

Quote:

CoochieCoo

Quote:

OutsideBath
I hope Bath don't take your view that the Falcons team is weak!
This is a Dean Richards team that will have a clear plan on how to win the game.

The clear plan which appears to slow the game down to a snails pace and bore the pants off the opposition and the fans! That game lasted from kick off to final whistle exactly two hours an extra 40 mins including half time, mostly due to Falcon yellow jackets treating "injured" players!

So they had a game plan, but it didn't work then?

Quote:

OutsideBath

Quote:

CoochieCoo

Quote:

OutsideBath
I hope Bath don't take your view that the Falcons team is weak!
This is a Dean Richards team that will have a clear plan on how to win the game.

The clear plan which appears to slow the game down to a snails pace and bore the pants off the opposition and the fans! That game lasted from kick off to final whistle exactly two hours an extra 40 mins including half time, mostly due to Falcon yellow jackets treating "injured" players!

So they had a game plan, but it didn't work then?

...and hasn't worked for 77% of their premiership season so far! Not much to see here, then!