Bath Squad 2021/22

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Edited 11 time(s). Last edit at 2022:06:06:22:21:23 by CoochieCoo.

A request - can you identify the Loose/tight head props.

Done!

Cheers CC - much appreciated.

Arthur Cordwell, Kieran Verden and Ruaridh McConnochie not spelled correctly CC

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2021:06:23:07:49:13 by BathMatt53.

Corrected, thanks.

A man who cannot change his mind, cannot change anything

RAEBURN SHIELD



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2021:09:17:13:04:59 by Which Tyler.

Club Squad Announcement

FULL SENIOR SQUAD LIST

Hookers
Tom Doughty
Jacques du Toit
Tom Dunn

Props
Lewis Boyce
Arthur Cordwell
Johannes Jonker
Beno Obano
Juan Schoeman
D’Arcy Rae
Will Stuart
Will Vaughan
Kieran Verden

Second Rows
Charlie Ewels
Josh McNally
Will Spencer

Back Rows
Josh Bayliss
Jaco Coetzee
Tom Ellis
Taulupe Faletau
Miles Reid
Sam Underhill
Mike Williams

Scrum-halves
Ollie Fox
Max Green
Ben Spencer

Fly-halves
Danny Cipriani
Tian Schoeman

Centres
Will Butt
Max Clark
Jonathan Joseph
Josh Matavesi
Cameron Redpath
Max Wright

Back Three
Darren Atkins
Joe Cokanasiga
Tom de Glanville
Alex Gray
Gabriel Hamer-Webb
Ruaridh McConnochie
Semesa Rokoduguni
Anthony Watson

SENIOR ACADEMY SQUAD

Orlando Bailey (Fly-half)
Tom Carr-Smith (Scrum-half)
Josh Dingley (Second Row/Back Row)
Gabe Goss (Back Three)
Mackenzie Graham (Back Row)
Archie Griffin (Prop)
Nahum Mergian (Back Row)
Max Ojomoh (Centre)
Frankie Read (Back Row)
Ewan Richards (Second Row)
Jasper Spandler (Hooker)
Ethan Staddon (Back Row)
John Stewart (Hooker)
George Worboys (Fly-half/Back Three)
Kofi Barton-Byfield* (Back Three)
Archie Maggs* (Prop)
Archie Stanley* (Prop)

*University Scholar

P G Tips


Jaco Coetzee: my adopted Player, 2023-24.

Looks as if William plus Academy lads will be needed as locks.

Green & Fox to get their chances at 9.

P G Tips


Jaco Coetzee: my adopted Player, 2023-24.

Like you say PG we are looking heavily reliant on the academy in some positions especially during the international windows. Just looking at back and 2nd Row is Ewels, Bayliss, Underhill and Faletau all get selected for their countries we could be looking at
4. McNally
5. Spencer
6. Ellis
7. Reid
8. Coetzee
19. Williams
20. Staddon

I know that selection is still really strong and that Merigan and Richards will also be capable of stepping up but that's not allowing for any injuries. Of our 10 Lk/BR we could easily have 3 or 4 out injured then we would be in real trouble.

I don't really know the academy well enough to know where we need more numbers but ideally I'd like to see a hooker (unless one from academy is ready), a lock and a centre if JJ is off. Strangely I'm quite happy with 9 and 10. I like what I have seen from Fox and Green but like everyone else I find it bizarre that they were not played instead of Chudley once we knew he was off. Another 9 wouldn't hurt but would anyone come for reasonable money to be 2nd choice and be an upgrade on Green and Fox? I've not seen if Ben White has signed for anyone yet and he could be a good option. I know he's fallen out of favour at Tigers but having just turned 23 he's played 70 1st team games for them, wouldn't demand a huge salary and a change of club could see him develop in to the player everyone thought he would be a few years ago.

I agree re lock WBC and maybe also scrum half, but what’s this about “if JJ is off”?

He’s just been confirmed in the squad!

P G Tips


Jaco Coetzee: my adopted Player, 2023-24.

Seems strange that a coaching team with one 74 cap international lock and a DOR who was a lock would leave the squad short of locks or think that we don't need specialists there? I am banking on the fact that I know very little about locks and they do...

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

Quote:

P G Tips
I agree re lock WBC and maybe also scrum half, but what’s this about “if JJ is off”?
He’s just been confirmed in the squad!

Doesn’t matter, if Toulon want JJ and he wants to go he will go once the finances are sorted. Why would we stand in his way?

The fact remains that you can always sign someone mid-season if you have an injury crisis. If you cover every single eventuality in advance there’s a good chance that some of your expensive kit is going to be sat in the garage all season.

I was looking at our senior squad as if it was a 41-man touring squad. You’d probably swap a back-3 player or 2 for a lock. You might want a 3rd fly half, but there’s quite a bit of usable resource in that Academy group.

As ever, it’s the coaching that holds the key, not the players.

Quote:

Optimist
The fact remains that you can always sign someone mid-season if you have an injury crisis. If you cover every single eventuality in advance there’s a good chance that some of your expensive kit is going to be sat in the garage all season.

Whilst that is true, you need 3 locks for a matchday, we know that one is likely to be called into England squads, one gets injured a lot and there are a lot of matches. We had 4 locks last season, fewer matches to play and still have to pull Bayliss into the second row as emergency cover. For me 4 locks would be a minimum, hence my surprise.

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

Quote:

BathMatt53

Quote:

Optimist
The fact remains that you can always sign someone mid-season if you have an injury crisis. If you cover every single eventuality in advance there’s a good chance that some of your expensive kit is going to be sat in the garage all season.

Whilst that is true, you need 3 locks for a matchday, we know that one is likely to be called into England squads, one gets injured a lot and there are a lot of matches. We had 4 locks last season, fewer matches to play and still have to pull Bayliss into the second row as emergency cover. For me 4 locks would be a minimum, hence my surprise.

With a few seeming gaps in recruitment I just wonder if the club intend to dip into the academy more this season on a development criteria as opposed to this season gone where the policy seems to have been selection to cover injuries.

If so I would welcome this greatly, providing that development is balanced between forwards and backs.


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

It's pretty clear that Bailey and Ojomoh are, effectively, part of the senior squad, in as much as no-one will blink an eyelid if they are in a match-day squad or even starting.

Who else is in that category?

Staddon?
Richards?
Merrigan?

Quote:

Optimist
It's pretty clear that Bailey and Ojomoh are, effectively, part of the senior squad, in as much as no-one will blink an eyelid if they are in a match-day squad or even starting.
Who else is in that category?

Staddon?
Richards?
Merrigan?

I'd definitely say Richards. Seems to be some doubt about Merrigan's all-round game but he won't be intimidated physically.

Don't know enough about Staddon to comment.


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

Staddon played a handful of games age 18 this season so highly rated and sure he is part of the first team plans for next season.

Agree re merigan and richards SW. Feels a bit of make or break season for merigan potentially having not got a look in this season whilst younger guys have got game time

Quote:

charlieboa
Feels a bit of make or break season for merigan potentially having not got a look in this season whilst younger guys have got game time

With Faletau, Jaco Coetzee and Bayliss available I would get him out on loan at a Championship team personally, with the ability to recall him if there is a disastrous situation in the back row and they lose about 15 players..

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

Can someone confirm the nationality status of the newbies in the academy. I have assumed all EQP except Mackenzie Graham who from his name I assume is a Scot.

Mackenzie Graham will be EQP anyway as he went to Beechen so has residency. In fact all of them should be? Notwithstanding this, Graham played in the England rugby North vs South.

[www.bathrugby.com]

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

Quote:

WellyBathChief
I've not seen if Ben White has signed for anyone yet and he could be a good option. I know he's fallen out of favour at Tigers but having just turned 23 he's played 70 1st team games for them, wouldn't demand a huge salary and a change of club could see him develop in to the player everyone thought he would be a few years ago.

[www.bbc.co.uk]

He has gone to London Irish

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

Given how little rugby GHW, Roko and Alex Gray played this season, it will be interesting to see if Darren Atkin’s route of playing in the Championship has helped him to develop ahead of any of them.

Quote:

Optimist
Given how little rugby GHW, Roko and Alex Gray played this season, it will be interesting to see if Darren Atkin’s route of playing in the Championship has helped him to develop ahead of any of them.

Yes, was keeping up the match reports - mixed bag for Atkins but Green did well it seems. Atkins only scored the 1 and was played early on but not so much for the end games.

JERSEY REDS 15 RICHMOND 23 atkins played
BEDFORD BLUES 20 JERSEY REDS 25 atkins played (and scored)
JERSEY REDS 10 DONCASTER KNIGHTS 22 atkins played (Green scored)
EALING TRAILFINDERS 64 JERSEY REDS 17 atkins played
JERSEY REDS 55 NOTTINGHAM RUGBY 12 atkins didn't play - (Green scored)
AMPTHILL AND DISTRICT 14 JERSEY REDS 29 (atkins came on as sub)
JERSEY REDS 10 COVENTRY RUGBY 34 played
HARTPURY UNIVERSITY 19 JERSEY REDS 50 atkins didn't play - (Green scored)
JERSEY REDS 32 CORNISH PIRATES 31 atkins didn't play

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

Wow - That is kind of underwhelming in the coaching and playing department. I would have expected by now that we would have learnt the necessity to have front 5 replacements but clearly not.

1 recognised 9 and 2 (no disrespect meant) untested 10's one who is mercurial but temperamental and another who is recovering from a serious knee injury - both well over 30.. I should add there is no guarantees that Tian Schoeman will totally recover - of course everyone hopes and wishes he does but any injury such as his or Redpath's are potentially career ending.

That is probably the most unbalanced squad I have ever seen in professional sport - For goodness sake the fact that Josh Bayliss had to play fixtures in the boiler house tells you we were short in that department last season - Stooke has left leaving 3 without any injuries or abstractions and still they just don't seem to get it and Hooper is an ex-Second Row unbelievable.

As for the coaching I think everyone and the world has been crying out for a defence coach but clearly Hoops and Tarquin think things are rosey.

Totally and utterly bemused and bewildered. Still we have a great back 3 let's hope the opposition kick to us a lot because it may be the only way they get the ball.

I was so looking forward to next season and it seems that my sails have been deflated before this season has even ended. What is going on - This squad is not strong enough for the premiership and if anything is weaker than last season and once again add Europe into the mix God Help Us.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021:06:24:14:21:31 by Ali1969.

Tian Schoeman is 29 Ali, but take the point about not always being fully back to best after knee injuries like that.

With the cap going down I am not hugely surprised that more left than joined. Equally worried about a couple of positions though.

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

Quote:

BathMatt53

Quote:

charlieboa
Feels a bit of make or break season for merigan potentially having not got a look in this season whilst younger guys have got game time

With Faletau, Jaco Coetzee and Bayliss available I would get him out on loan at a Championship team personally, with the ability to recall him if there is a disastrous situation in the back row and they lose about 15 players..

I guess the counter argument is as it stands is loads of our backrowers will be getting used at lock and some of our backrowers will be playing internationally. Not sure how overstocked we are given that context....

I think he should and will get game time for us but who knows....

Quote:

BathMatt53
Mackenzie Graham will be EQP anyway as he went to Beechen so has residency. In fact all of them should be? Notwithstanding this, Graham played in the England rugby North vs South.
[www.bathrugby.com]

Ok that increases the EQP percentage!

We struggled this season & with this squad we appear even less well equipped to hold our own. Furthermore, we still have Hateley responsible for defence & the forwards as well as being head coach. On the face of it we will struggle unless the other clubs have made similar cuts.

Quote:

Bath Hammer
We struggled this season & with this squad we appear even less well equipped to hold our own. Furthermore, we still have Hateley responsible for defence & the forwards as well as being head coach. On the face of it we will struggle unless the other clubs have made similar cuts.

Agreed.

As you say depends if other clubs having to take similar approach for one reason or another.

Bris for example are losing earl and Malins. Two eng internationals who are very important to them. Not aware they have made any significant signings to replace them?

Cap and covid will be starting to bite many clubs. As per other threads my issue is the absurd seeming priorities in terms of use of cap across the positions. Wildly overloading in some positions and totally underinvesting in others.

Coaching is obviously outside cap and I struggle to believe there is no recognition that we are a senior, experienced coach light.

Quote:

charlieboa

Quote:

Bath Hammer
We struggled this season & with this squad we appear even less well equipped to hold our own. Furthermore, we still have Hateley responsible for defence & the forwards as well as being head coach. On the face of it we will struggle unless the other clubs have made similar cuts.

Coaching is obviously outside cap and I struggle to believe there is no recognition that we are a senior, experienced coach light.

This is the mystery, isn't it the DoR's responsibility to build the coaching team based on strengths and weaknesses. The current coaching team has talent but is simply not balanced, much like the playing squad.


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

Out of interest - what are our actual player movements?

LHP: Bhattie out - but was injury cover for Boyce, so not really a departure (have added Cordwell)
HK: Batty & Walker out - replaced by Tu Toit and Doughty
THP: Thomas & Judge out - replaced by Jonker and Rae (have added Verden)
LK: Stooke out - player's choice not ours, we're looking for a replacement
BR: Mercer out - replaced by Coetzee

In terms of bodies in the pack, we've actually increased; gaining a prop on each side, but losing a lock.

SH: Chudleigh out - not replaced
FH: Priestland out - replaced by Cipriani & Schoeman

In terms of bodies in the backs, we've rebalanced our half-backs, as we were all wanting

A man who cannot change his mind, cannot change anything

RAEBURN SHIELD

Quote:

Which Tyler
Out of interest - what are our actual player movements?
LHP: Bhattie out - but was injury cover for Boyce, so not really a departure (have added Cordwell)
HK: Batty & Walker out - replaced by Tu Toit and Doughty
THP: Thomas & Judge out - replaced by Jonker and Rae (have added Verden)
LK: Stooke out - player's choice not ours, we're looking for a replacement
BR: Mercer out - replaced by Coetzee

In terms of bodies in the pack, we've actually increased; gaining a prop on each side, but losing a lock.

SH: Chudleigh out - not replaced
FH: Priestland out - replaced by Cipriani & Schoeman

In terms of bodies in the backs, we've rebalanced our half-backs, as we were all wanting

I think that's pretty much the summary WT though doughty was already here (latterly loaned out second half of season but take your point).

My issue is for whatever reason we have consolidated the imbalance in the squad I think.

Best , most exciting signing imho is a backrower where we are already v v strong.

Have millions of centres and back 3 options (conscious decision as have extended/renewed likes of gray/coko/butt) and have spent very little cap on replacing Thomas and judge I would say.

Haven't replaced stooke. Haven't replaced chudley leaving us hugely reliant on Spencers form and fitness.

There will be reasons behind all this , many of which we don't know, just from the outside I think we look clueless. Front 5 dominated coaching set up, seem confused as to whether we want to play like Exeter or quins, squad suggests we are best suited to fast and loose and trying to win games 40-30. Cant believe that is really the aim of hatley and hoops.

As i say on other thread, some bad decisions like 3 yr roko contract in his 30s, 3 yr contract to wright etc

There are also two quite crucial players who will miss at least half the season. We seem to have a number of players who are either in some degree of decline, have never really cut the mustard or may be illustrious for their country but somewhat underwhelming in a Both shirt. We have a number of coaching issues, particularly defence, which don’t seem to have been addressed personel wise.. We do have a new attack coach thank goodness who needs to deliver. Finally we have replaced a rock solid f/h with an exciting but fallible character who may or may not ignite our back line but who is a bit flaky as a goal kicker. We could have a slightly better season than last or be struggling to stay ahead of Worcester & Newcastle.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021:06:29:04:06:52 by Bath Hammer.

You should write the review in the first matchday programme of the new season BH? I also like your suggestion about grouping and think that maybe rather than the traditional 'forwards and backs' on the Bath first team page they should subdivide into:

- declining
- never really cut the mustard
- underwhelming in a Bath shirt

Make it so!

[www.bathrugby.com]

In all seriousness I don't think that its really worth getting too depressed about next seasons prospects in June.

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

Hmmmm it would be hard not to make a connection with ringfencing and us deciding to not invest in the squad next year. Middling premiership club decides to run with a threadbare squad knowing there is no chance of relegation is a sad interpretation of our current ambitions.

Hoping in the future that the academy will produce enough top class players to compete for top honours is naive. We all want a top drawer academy but they need to be supplemented with top class international talent and some good solid, experienced players from other clubs.

The cap has reduced significantly. It came as some players are part way through contracts and therefore this shapes where we may not be able to make cuts, therefore other areas such as lock and scrum half take the hit. We are not the only club to do this. To paint it as the club deliberately underinvesting is Daily Express levels of misdirection.

Agree Rawce, with the caveat that if we're not looking to appoint a defence coach then we're very naive, to put it mildly, and the longer time goes on the less likely that seems.

Quote:

TomReagan
Agree Rawce, with the caveat that if we're not looking to appoint a defence coach then we're very naive, to put it mildly, and the longer time goes on the less likely that seems.

+1

It's almost impossible to win trophies without a decent defence unless you have Marcus Smith of course, then you can take the Quins approach and not worry too much about defending.

Bath do not have any sort of defence and don't have Marcus Smith so it's understandable to have low expectations for next season.

Agree, and it’s a bit strange considering coaching staff aren’t subject to a cap and Bruce’s willingness to chip in a spare quid or two. Mind you, Bruce might have reasonably expected the club to be self sustaining by now and seemingly backward steps on The Rec and Covid may have dented the ambition to open up the cheque book for =SQRT(FA) return. I’m wondering if our two tier levels of coaches (Hats, Williams at the top with Lilley, Davis and Charteris supporting) means it will get covered by someone albeit without a distinct named coach. I guess that opens up the possibility of a lack of clarity over responsibilities though.

The point is that we have tried the minimalist coaching approach and it doesn't work.
What I find infuriating is that having coached a skill it seems impossible to retain that skill for much longer than a month!

Its a total lottery as to whether we will be able to set up a maul from a line out next season or get turned over. (Hasta's whack-a-mole syndrome).


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

Whilst I totally understand the need to reduce the salary cap to make our game sustainable especially in light of the pandemic.

My frustration is that when you see other clubs bringing in real quality like Wasps it does make you think what salary are our so called superstars actually on if we cannot or will not cover clear deficiencies in our squad/coaches?

I might be completely wrong and barking up the wrong tree (not for the first time) - maybe the CEO and DoR believe our resources are sufficient across the board.

I would not be surprised if this is the case. I have really struggled/out of kilter especially this season with most if not all of Hoops comments - I often find myself saying "have we actually been watching the same team/game?" after his comments.

Quote:

Ali1969
My frustration is that when you see other clubs bringing in real quality like Wasps it does make you think what salary are our so called superstars actually on if we cannot or will not cover clear deficiencies in our squad/coaches?

They had quite a few leavers mind you:

Wales Will Rowlands to Wales Dragons
Scotland Jack Owlett to England Worcester Warriors
New Zealand Lima Sopoaga to France Lyon
England Tommy Taylor to England Sale Sharks
Scotland Ben Vellacott to Scotland Edinburgh
Tonga Sione Vailanu to England Worcester Warriors
England Kieran Brookes to France Toulon
South Africa Juan de Jongh to South Africa Stormers
Georgia (country) Lasha Jaiani released
Georgia (country) Zurabi Zhvania released
England Simon McIntyre to England Sale Sharks
England Callum Sirker to England Cornish Pirates

For starters I suspect that getting Lima Sopoaga off their books has relieved enough cap to sign a couple of quality replacements...

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

Imagine the new all black takes sopo marquee spot?

As you say matt a few leavers who will have been on a decent whack.

We haven't really shifted any big earners to date other than rhys. Lots of experienced prem performers though like walker, batty, thomas, judge, stooke, mercer, chudley who I doubt were on peanuts. I still think there is some cap left if the right lock became available.

Remember that existing players would have had the 25% reduction applied (in terms of the cap) and new ones won't - this added to the cap reduction will mean that spending power is right down.

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

Quote:

BathMatt53
Remember that existing players would have had the 25% reduction applied (in terms of the cap) and new ones won't - this added to the cap reduction will mean that spending power is right down.

Yep, good shout- remembering us discussing best approach ideally was retain squad at less cap cost/ max academy credits.

Sadly I think we had quite a lot of 'dead wood' and still have some due to signing most people up beyond this season for the above reasons.

As you say attracting non marquee now in the current scenario is very tricky. Total lack of big signings across the prem really hence being surprised to see wasps land an all black but I think marquee out and (cheaper) marquee in explains that one....

I have no issue with Bruce not continually throwing his money down the drain but we must be mid table at best in terms of how much we spend on marquee. Strange when he pushed so hard for two slots.

Quote:

charlieboa
I have no issue with Bruce not continually throwing his money down the drain but we must be mid table at best in terms of how much we spend on marquee. Strange when he pushed so hard for two slots.

If Ant W is on as much as I have heard he may be on then one of the marquee slots could well be taken on his salary. As a Lion it would be hard to argue that he isn't worth it on the basis of talent (although whether Bath actually exploit that talent is another question), I'll bet French or Japanese clubs would pay an absolute packet.

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

My educated/wild guess would be on watson and faletau. Rumours of faletau taking 25% cut to his rumoured c450k.

Expect watson is in same ballpark of 300-400k?

Underhills contract came up at a nice time for him post excellent showing at rwc so doubt he was cheap to retain.

Would say bris, exeter, saints, wasps, quins (post Smith renewal) , tigers, sale, irish, sarries all have higher paid marquee players.

Bath Matt agree but Wasps have also brought in a few players as well.likes.of Stooke and resigned Carr from SA as well as others.

Like you said many rumours that some.of our stars and squad players were on very generous contracts.

Just disappointing to see so many glaring gaps in our squad.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021:06:30:22:30:08 by Ali1969.

I just think it' worth noting that Waps' new All Black signing is Vaea Fifita - a 29 year old with 11 caps, who wants to use 7s to switch to Tonga (which will be too late for the 2023 RWC)
We're not talking about a superstar here; we're talking someone much further away from All Black selection than Lima Sopoaga or Stephen Donald.

I expect him to be a big signing for them, and quite possibly marquee - but he's not likely to be one to build a team around, or change all that many games in their favour.

I just think we're all seeing "has signed an all black" and getting carried away with what that means.

A man who cannot change his mind, cannot change anything

RAEBURN SHIELD

You have to be bloody good to get into an all black backrow multiple times but agree he isnt a superstar and we have probably seen as many misses as hits from that part of the world in the prem.

Sounded like he may have got more caps if hurricanes hadn't insisted on playing him at lock when Hanson saw him as a backrower.

If we were getting him I would be excited , if he has half the impact of luatua who I think didn't have many more caps (but younger) then he has done well.

Time will tell, tbf I am very confident jaco coetzee will go very well for us.

It's been good to see many from Bath academy represent the England U20s and 18s. It was a surprise to see Xavier Hastings (the current England u20 open side) leave the senior academy and it was also a surprise that Tom Ahl, Ciaran Donoghue, Sam Harris and Jai Thompson (all England u18s) weren't added to the senior academy. Any ideas/thoughts why???

Quote:

BathSince92
It's been good to see many from Bath academy represent the England U20s and 18s. It was a surprise to see Xavier Hastings (the current England u20 open side) leave the senior academy and it was also a surprise that Tom Ahl, Ciaran Donoghue, Sam Harris and Jai Thompson (all England u18s) weren't added to the senior academy. Any ideas/thoughts why???

[www.bathrugby.com]

Quote:

Bath Rugby
XAVIER HASTINGS
The club has been working with Xavier to determine where he goes next from a rugby point of view. He has earned a contract in the Championship for next season and will continue his degree at the University of Bath. Since he signed for the Senior Academy, Xavier has experienced a long period on the sidelines with injury but has done superbly well to come back and go on to represent England Under-20s. He is now in a place where he can push on with his rugby and be highly successful.

As for the junior academy players who didn't graduate to the senior academy - presumably because they're not ready to graduate from the juniors yet.
"U18s player isn't 18 year old yet", would hardlybe the stuff of dramatic headlines

A man who cannot change his mind, cannot change anything

RAEBURN SHIELD



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2021:07:11:10:46:06 by Which Tyler.

I think Hastings would be so far down the pecking order that playing in the championship for a year or two makes sense.

Just in terms of u20 backrowers at bath he is probably behind staddon, richards and merigan.

As for the others, not sure of their exact age but so tough to wittle down to the 6-8 who tend to get promoted each season. Not always a reflection in their ability, often their position comes into it....again I think ahl is backrow and we have so many good young options there already.

Winds me up a little that it is 11 July and senior and academy squad is still as at last season.

I guess season will start late so they probably aren't in preseason so haven't got snaps of new signings / players in new kits etc.

I am just a grumpy middle aged man....

Quote:

charlieboa
Winds me up a little that it is 11 July and senior and academy squad is still as at last season.
I guess season will start late so they probably aren't in preseason so haven't got snaps of new signings / players in new kits etc.

I am just a grumpy middle aged man....

Ours is up to date!

Quote:

charlieboa
Winds me up a little that it is 11 July and senior and academy squad is still as at last season.
I guess season will start late so they probably aren't in preseason so haven't got snaps of new signings / players in new kits etc.

I am just a grumpy middle aged man....

I agree about the website, in my opinion it is really poor. So much of the information is out of date, the honours board lists Matt Garvey as captain. It seems like the club is more interested in flogging golf balls than telling us about rugby.

There is no reason the squads, both first team and academy shouldn't be updated at the same time as player arrival/departures are announced. Part of the info about Juan Schoeman was copy and pasted directly from the sharks website.

Quote:

BathSince92

Quote:

charlieboa
Winds me up a little that it is 11 July and senior and academy squad is still as at last season.
I guess season will start late so they probably aren't in preseason so haven't got snaps of new signings / players in new kits etc.

I am just a grumpy middle aged man....

I agree about the website, in my opinion it is really poor. So much of the information is out of date, the honours board lists Matt Garvey as captain. It seems like the club is more interested in flogging golf balls than telling us about rugby.

There is no reason the squads, both first team and academy shouldn't be updated at the same time as player arrival/departures are announced. Part of the info about Juan Schoeman was copy and pasted directly from the sharks website.

As long as the team for next season is sorted for....the start of the season that's fine surely? As said above, with new kits and new players and players on tour/ holiday its understandable that photos and the website will be sorted when they are all back at Farleigh? As for being 'wound up' by it, well that sounds like a bit of waste of energy.

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

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BathMatt53

Quote:

BathSince92

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charlieboa
Winds me up a little that it is 11 July and senior and academy squad is still as at last season.
I guess season will start late so they probably aren't in preseason so haven't got snaps of new signings / players in new kits etc.

I am just a grumpy middle aged man....

I agree about the website, in my opinion it is really poor. So much of the information is out of date, the honours board lists Matt Garvey as captain. It seems like the club is more interested in flogging golf balls than telling us about rugby.

There is no reason the squads, both first team and academy shouldn't be updated at the same time as player arrival/departures are announced. Part of the info about Juan Schoeman was copy and pasted directly from the sharks website.

As long as the team for next season is sorted for....the start of the season that's fine surely? As said above, with new kits and new players and players on tour/ holiday its understandable that photos and the website will be sorted when they are all back at Farleigh? As for being 'wound up' by it, well that sounds like a bit of waste of energy.

BathMatt53 what do you think of the website?

Quote:

BathSince92
BathMatt53 what do you think of the website?

I only really go on it to read the odd bit of news or buy tickets, so is perfectly adequate for that. The younger generation (like my kids) keep up with things on other social media channels like Instagram. It has improved a lot since the start of the year in terms of articles and is on a par with most of the others in the league now I would have thought? Tigers, Newcastle, Worcester, Wasps etc don't seem noticeably better to me. Quins and Bristol have more information than those mentioned above and seem to be the most comprehensive. Like I said above, don't really give it too much thought tbf.

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

[www.somersetlive.co.uk] - Xavier Hastings to Hartpury

Will Vaughan on loan to Doncaster Knights for the season.

Quote:

Rawce
Will Vaughan on loan to Doncaster Knights for the season.

This baffles me tbh, why do we sign SA players then send our younger players out on loan? Why not keep them, play them and save the money?

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

Because they're not deemed strong, skilled or experienced enough? Props can be exposed more easily than most other positions (collapsed scrums leading to yellow/red cards) which would have a massive psychological effect on young players. Better to bring them on slowly I guess.

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Clarkey3k

Quote:

Rawce
Will Vaughan on loan to Doncaster Knights for the season.

This baffles me tbh, why do we sign SA players then send our younger players out on loan? Why not keep them, play them and save the money?

He will be behind Obano, Juan S and Boyce at LHP I would have thought. Makes sense to me to get him a dozen games. 23 is still pretty young for a porp.

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

Alex Gray released. Shame, he had huge potential but we are well stocked out wide. Looking to bring in at lock. JJ staying, Matavesi still in talks about Japan. Lots of updates on Zumzet Live.

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BathMatt53

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Clarkey3k

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Rawce
Will Vaughan on loan to Doncaster Knights for the season.

This baffles me tbh, why do we sign SA players then send our younger players out on loan? Why not keep them, play them and save the money?

He will be behind Obano, Juan S and Boyce at LHP I would have thought. Makes sense to me to get him a dozen games. 23 is still pretty young for a porp.

Cordwell arguably overtaken him aswell?

[www.somersetlive.co.uk] - Hooper Recruitment Statement

Josh Dingley is a second-row option apparently. Not on the senior or academy squad lists?

Odd, yes he was definitely in the press release.

[www.bathrugby.com]

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

I read that too Opti, but I think in the other Chronic piece (about recruitment) hoops' comments were mostly about his potential. Not sure he will feature in a First team 23 this season.

P G Tips


Jaco Coetzee: my adopted Player, 2023-24.

Updated for Josh M. Good luck Josh and thanks.

A man who cannot change his mind, cannot change anything

RAEBURN SHIELD



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2021:09:22:10:21:00 by Which Tyler.

RdC on a season long contract - [www.somersetlive.co.uk]

[www.somersetlive.co.uk] - Tom Cowan to Senior Academy 2-year contract

And barton-byfield out...

[www.bbc.co.uk]

A man who cannot change his mind, cannot change anything

RAEBURN SHIELD

Quote:

Which Tyler
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/58735359

Maybe we will get someone in return? Hooper said, in the press call, he was closing in on some loans deals and would be able to say more next week….

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dcsh

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Which Tyler
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/58735359

Maybe we will get someone in return? Hooper said, in the press call, he was closing in on some loans deals and would be able to say more next week….

Interesting speculation.
Just looking through Falcon's senior squad list; they've got 4 each of locks and SHs - so I doubt they would choose to send a lock out, but barring injury, they might be willing to send a 9 our way.
Maybe we'll get Michael Young back for a bit?

A man who cannot change his mind, cannot change anything

RAEBURN SHIELD



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021:09:29:12:57:32 by Which Tyler.

Quote:

Which Tyler

Quote:

dcsh

Quote:

Which Tyler
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/58735359

Maybe we will get someone in return? Hooper said, in the press call, he was closing in on some loans deals and would be able to say more next week….

Interesting speculation.
Just looking through Falcon's senior squad list; they've got 4 each of locks and SHs - so I doubt they would choose to send a lock out, but barring injury, they might be willing to send a 9 our way.
Maybe we'll get Michael Young back for a bit?

That would be taking the mickey.

... IMHO, of course.

Now in Honolulu

Quote:

Which Tyler
Maybe we'll get Michael Young back for a bit?

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

Well every time I've seen him play and especially against us, I've wondered if it was the same player we let go

Registration done! Thankyou Guys.

[www.bathrugby.com]

A man who cannot change his mind, cannot change anything

RAEBURN SHIELD

Updated for Ma'afu Fia injury loan to end of season

[www.bbc.co.uk]

Max Wright: Bath Rugby loan centre to Newcastle Falcons on three-month deal

This was dated the end of September 2021, is he back in Bath now?

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

So our prop resources area as follows?

4 x tight head, 6 x loosehead of whom 4 are injured, 1 is with England and 1 would seem not to be considered ready. And 3 in the Academy.

Tight head:
Will Stuart
Johannes Jonker, injured
Ma'afu Fia
Kieren Verden

Loose head:
Valery Morozov
Will Vaughan
Lewis Boyce, injured
Arthur Cordwell
Beno Obano, injured
Juan Schoeman, injured

Academy:
Griffin
Maggs
Stanley

Always a mystery to me why - when loosehead and tighthead are considered to be near as dammit different positions - that the Offy never specifies.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:02:16:14:21:52 by Optimist.

Add Rae at THP

A man who cannot change his mind, cannot change anything

RAEBURN SHIELD

Why did I think Rae's loan deal had come to an end?

Dunno - but he started against Wasps, and isn't a loan deal.

A man who cannot change his mind, cannot change anything

RAEBURN SHIELD

[www.bathrugby.com]

Ok - this is why i did the above post - i am confused about our front-row comings and goings!

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Optimist
Ok - this is why i did the above post - i am confused about our front-row comings and goings!

Empathise with that, its also why I started the "What will Bath look like next year" thread. If PG thinks there will be little churn due to contracts then most of those will stay ......... won't they?


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

I wonder how long Jonker's contract is given that he is seemingly out for the rest of this season? To me he didn't look any better than the young props that we already had available in that position once Stuart and D'Arcy Rae are accounted for. To sign a player from the Championship on a long deal would have been pretty ambitious.

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

Jonker is a strange one- lots of super rugby experience, looks good on paper.... then goes to Ealing...then to us.

Has been really underwhelming but much like cips has never strung any games together.

Jury is out I guess. If he was on a 1 year deal then i imagine he could be in trouble. Hard to get third choice props though who are actually good though. Got the impression he was signed as back up to stuart but rae has overtaken him. Jonker started the season on the bench with rae not in the 23

I think we are lucky on the loosehead side to have a third choice as good as schoeman. Will be on less than 100k- obviously not a world beater but solid cover when you have a few injuries and has improved at the scrum i think.

I think you've posted that on the wrong thread IanC!

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hasta
I think you've posted that on the wrong thread IanC!

Moved to the correct thread!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:02:17:19:15:37 by CoochieCoo.

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Which Tyler

Will Vaughn leaving after 6 years according to his Twitter. [twitter.com]