WHO WILL HAVE THE LUCK? BATH V LONDON IRISH

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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2022:05:31:08:39:00 by P G Tips.

Good summary as ever PGT. This one is all going to depend on the top 2 inches - reaction to Gloucester hurt or more of the same? Toss a coin IMO.

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

No stats to hand but I have many recollections of winning our last home game of the season, usually in nice weather, and for that reason am untypically optimistic. Of course someone will now tell me my memory is plain wrong, but I'd be curious to know our recent win/loss record for the last home game of each season.

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Bad luck is not the reason Bath sit at the bottom of the table, but they desperately need a dose of it in a season where just about everything seems to have gone wrong

I'm not sure we need MORE bad luck PGT!

Changed it SJS-just for you!

PG

I recall we played LI on the last game 4 - 5 years ago Banahans last game and we beat them...........easily.

I think we need to be at least 28 points ahead with 15 minutes to go as we will sure as hell concede 25 unanswered points

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TomReagan
No stats to hand but I have many recollections of winning our last home game of the season, usually in nice weather, and for that reason am untypically optimistic. Of course someone will now tell me my memory is plain wrong, but I'd be curious to know our recent win/loss record for the last home game of each season.

That is my memory too Tom, so I have just checked. We have won every final home game from 2015 to 2021 inclusive (I have not checked further back).

PG

Thanks PGT. I also recall sunshine and ciders on dry fields and the obligatory but welcome hits for us 50 somethings, Oasis, Blur, MSP etc. Here's hoping for the same on Saturday!

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Bath Supporter Jack
I recall we played LI on the last game 4 - 5 years ago Banahans last game and we beat them...........easily.

That was a great day BSJ, super weather and a nice way to say goodbye to and thank Banners. I remember it well.

It would be nice to have a similar outcome on Saturday.

I seem to remember that was JC’s last game for Irish before joining us.

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P G Tips
Changed it SJS-just for you!
PG

I can’t envisage anything other than some type of defeat, either one by 40 points or one suffered from an inevitable collapse in the last quarter. LI are miles ahead of us at present & under our current coaching team that is unlikely to change.

Happy to wager a pint we win BH... Just a matter of us both carrying a copy of the FT under our left arms at the Swift Half after the game....

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Bath Hammer
I can’t envisage anything other than some type of defeat, either one by 40 points or one suffered from an inevitable collapse in the last quarter. LI are miles ahead of us at present & under our current coaching team that is unlikely to change.

Totally agree, can't see anything other than a heavy defeat. TBP for LI early in the second half.

Looking on the bright side, weather set to be fair and dry, results so far this season haven't spoilt our days at the Rec so all is good.

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Bath Hammer
I can’t envisage anything other than some type of defeat, either one by 40 points or one suffered from an inevitable collapse in the last quarter.

You can get 250-1 on LI by 36-40 on Skybet BH...

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

Quote:

TomReagan
Happy to wager a pint we win BH... Just a matter of us both carrying a copy of the FT under our left arms at the Swift Half after the game....

I’m up for that Tom 🤗

I'll PM you! Don't worry, I'll be with mates and don't think I'm a pub bore... Oh, and obviously when you buy me that pint I'll naturally give you the deposit for the cup; I don't want to take liberties!

I shall buy 10 copies of the FT...............'cos we are going to win!!!

Like your thinking bsj. At £4.30 a copy however you'll not be making much of a profit!

C'mon guys, a home Bath game and you think carrying copies of the FT is going to mark you out?

Try the Morning Star.

... IMHO, of course.

Now in Honolulu



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:05:18:20:53:45 by joethefanatic.

Team Up. Farewell match for Faletau, Clark, Rokodoguni:

Max Clark, Taulupe Faletau and Semesa Rokoduguni will all start their farewell match at the Rec when Bath Rugby take on London Irish in Round 25 of the Gallagher Premiership.

The trio have 350 Blue, Black and White appearances and will get a rapturous send-off from the Bath faithful on Saturday afternoon.

Homegrown Clark joined the Academy aged 13, debuting for the first team in 2014/15 LV= Cup while Faletau has become a household international name, making over 30 Test appearances for Wales and the British & Irish Lions during his time in Somerset.

Bath legend Rokoduguni, whose departure was confirmed on Thursday, will be hoping to add to his 73 tries for the club.

Prop Valeriy Morozov is also set for his final home outing for the club lining up in the front row alongside tighthead Will Stuart and hooker Tom Doughty, who comes in for his third league start.

Mike Williams and captain Charlie Ewels pack down in the second row while Miles Reid and Sam Underhill complete the pack.

At half-back, Ben Spencer and Orlando Bailey link-up like they have so many times this season with Jonathan Joseph partnering Clark in the midfield.

Tom de Glanville and Joe Cokanasiga take their place in the back three alongside Rokoduguni.

On the bench, Beno Obano is back in contention after seven months out with a knee injury sustained away to Harlequins.

Bath Rugby side to play London Irish

15 Tom de Glanville, 14 Semesa Rokoduguni, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Max Clark, 11 Joe Cokanasiga, 10 Orlando Bailey, 9 Ben Spencer; 1 Valeriy Morozov, 2 Tom Doughty, 3 Will Stuart, 4 Mike Williams, 5 Charlie Ewels ©, 6 Miles Reid, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Taulupe Faletau

Replacements

16 Tom Dunn, 17 Beno Obano, 18 Ma’afu Fia, 19 Ewan Richards, 20 Jaco Coetzee, 21 Joe Simpson, 22 Danny Cipriani, 23 Will Muir

P G Tips


Jaco Coetzee: my adopted Player, 2023-24.

Great to see Beno back!

Irish

15 Tom Parton, 14 Kyle Rowe, 13 Curtis Rona, 12 Benhard van Rensburg, 11 Ben Loader, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Nick Phipps (c); 1 Will Goodrick-Clarke, 2 Agustin Creevy, 3 Ollie Hoskins, 4 George Nott, 5 Adam Coleman, 6 Ben Donnell, 7 Tom Pearson, 8 Sean O’Brien

REPLACEMENTS

16 Matt Cornish, 17 Facundo Gigena, 18 Marcel van der Merwe, 19 Chunya Munga, 20 Chandler Cunningham-South, 21 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 22 Ben White, 23 Henry Arundell

Delighted to see Beno Obano back in the mix. Hopefully he can stay in one piece now because he is more crucial than most to our success next season. Surprised to see Doughty and Williams starting and to see Fia on the bench. Had hoped that after the rest period we might see Will Spencer fit again. I wonder why Dunn isn't able to start and where D'arcy Rae is. I imagine they might be kept back for the bottom place decider next week...

Good Team and strong bench on paper anyway. Hope the officials do a better job than Wayne Barnes and his team during the week in relation to Goodrick-Clarke's angles at one point he was almost 90 degrees to his scrum half such was his "boring in".

Last home game of a season which anyone connecting or supporting Bath FC wants to end.

Irish fan here. This will be my first game at the Rec and cannot wait. I've read some of the comments predicting your team losing and I genuinely think it's too close to call and should be a cracker. I'm looking forward to seeing one of my all time favourites Faletau in action for his last outing with you. Here's hoping for a great afternoon and all the best

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Jamo
Irish fan here. This will be my first game at the Rec and cannot wait. I've read some of the comments predicting your team losing and I genuinely think it's too close to call and should be a cracker. I'm looking forward to seeing one of my all time favourites Faletau in action for his last outing with you. Here's hoping for a great afternoon and all the best

The good news is that if you are sitting near the touchline you may well be able to shake his hand and get his autograph while the match is in progress. On the rare occasions he has turned out for Bath this season he has seemed to do everything he can to hang around on the touchline and keep as far away from the action as possible.

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Malco

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Jamo
Irish fan here. This will be my first game at the Rec and cannot wait. I've read some of the comments predicting your team losing and I genuinely think it's too close to call and should be a cracker. I'm looking forward to seeing one of my all time favourites Faletau in action for his last outing with you. Here's hoping for a great afternoon and all the best

The good news is that if you are sitting near the touchline you may well be able to shake his hand and get his autograph while the match is in progress. On the rare occasions he has turned out for Bath this season he has seemed to do everything he can to hang around on the touchline and keep as far away from the action as possible.

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Malco

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Jamo
Irish fan here. This will be my first game at the Rec and cannot wait. I've read some of the comments predicting your team losing and I genuinely think it's too close to call and should be a cracker. I'm looking forward to seeing one of my all time favourites Faletau in action for his last outing with you. Here's hoping for a great afternoon and all the best

The good news is that if you are sitting near the touchline you may well be able to shake his hand and get his autograph while the match is in progress. On the rare occasions he has turned out for Bath this season he has seemed to do everything he can to hang around on the touchline and keep as far away from the action as possible.

1-3-3-1 Malco

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

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BathMatt53

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Malco

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Jamo
Irish fan here. This will be my first game at the Rec and cannot wait. I've read some of the comments predicting your team losing and I genuinely think it's too close to call and should be a cracker. I'm looking forward to seeing one of my all time favourites Faletau in action for his last outing with you. Here's hoping for a great afternoon and all the best

The good news is that if you are sitting near the touchline you may well be able to shake his hand and get his autograph while the match is in progress. On the rare occasions he has turned out for Bath this season he has seemed to do everything he can to hang around on the touchline and keep as far away from the action as possible.

1-3-3-1 Malco

4-1-17 Matt.

TF will score Tomorrow .......!!

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

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Malco
4-1-17 Matt.

I guess he is partly responsible for those stats as all the players are but as you say he hasn't played much. If he is staying on the wing too often shouldn't the coaches be instructing him otherwise?

Whilst I cannot possibly argue that TF has been vfm he is undoubtedly class and I think when he plays he jnvariably plays well.

He is one of few who performs a role that suits him- the issue is utter imbalance in the squad combined with poor coaching imho. He is responsible for neither of those things.

Interesting that we continue to play loanees and leavers ahead of young prospects.

On one hand I don't mind having those guys as cannon fodder (bad injury now could impact next season). Obviously hope they all get through fine.

On the flipside it seems like a few games off the bench for the likes of stewart, verden, staddon, tcs, worboys would be a useful exercise.

I have given up on us doing anything interesting or strategic long ago- let's keep gunning for the glory of second from bottom and don't damage young guys any more by being involved in a thrashing.

Loving having beno back- a few runs off the bench hopefully gives him full confidence he is back and fine before a big pre season

Given this is the last home hurrah for a number of players, I hope that they decide to ignore the coaches completely and play the heads up, all for one, one for all rugby we desperately want to see from them.

Probably a forlorn hope (irony intended)

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charlieboa
On the flipside it seems like a few games off the bench for the likes of stewart, verden, staddon, tcs, worboys would be a useful exercise.
I have given up on us doing anything interesting or strategic long ago- let's keep gunning for the glory of second from bottom and don't damage young guys any more by being involved in a thrashing.

Whilst I agree with the sentiment I don't think that some of those are quite ready yet for a full bore game of prem rugby. Let the leavers have one last run out and a clap at the end I say.

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

Actually don't care about the result. Just want to watch and appreciate the last game in BBW for one of our greatest wingers and we have had quite a few to contest that title

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BathMatt53

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charlieboa
On the flipside it seems like a few games off the bench for the likes of stewart, verden, staddon, tcs, worboys would be a useful exercise.
I have given up on us doing anything interesting or strategic long ago- let's keep gunning for the glory of second from bottom and don't damage young guys any more by being involved in a thrashing.

Whilst I agree with the sentiment I don't think that some of those are quite ready yet for a full bore game of prem rugby. Let the leavers have one last run out and a clap at the end I say.

I am indifferent to approach now tbh , just feels like a few 20 mins off the bench so they understand over the summer what is required to play prem rugby could be handy. Rather they knew the standards now.

Agree a few aren't totally ready but would they do much worse in reality. Lose 70 nil maybe i guess. Staddon looks a great prospect but has played 1 game last month since last season so seems a missed opp to me.

Shame we couldn't switch wuss game and season could be over tomorrow to allow a decent rest before a tough pre season where we need to learn/remember how to play rugby in a vaguely competent manner.

Sorry, this season has all been a bit too much for me!

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gaz59
Actually don't care about the result. Just want to watch and appreciate the last game in BBW for one of our greatest wingers and we have had quite a few to contest that title

+1

Sunny afternoon wishing Roco all the best will be a good end to a torrid season for everyone connected to Bath rugby.

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Malco

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Jamo
Irish fan here. This will be my first game at the Rec and cannot wait. I've read some of the comments predicting your team losing and I genuinely think it's too close to call and should be a cracker. I'm looking forward to seeing one of my all time favourites Faletau in action for his last outing with you. Here's hoping for a great afternoon and all the best

The good news is that if you are sitting near the touchline you may well be able to shake his hand and get his autograph while the match is in progress. On the rare occasions he has turned out for Bath this season he has seemed to do everything he can to hang around on the touchline and keep as far away from the action as possible.

Rude and tbh inappropriate. Why is this ok? Thought attacking players personally wasn't in the spirit of this board. People have been banned for accusing players of not trying etc etc And yet this is acceptable? Great player whom it has been an honour to watch.

World class player, no question.

How many games has he played for Bath in the last three seasons?

Five Premiership and one Challenge Cup this season out of 28 fixtures.

But he managed to play three games for Wales in the Six Nations.

In the six games he has played for Bath he has scored two tries and been on the winning side once.

Show me his highlight reel from this season. He is the biggest earner at the club. How would you describe his return on investment?

Why is a world class player so regularly unavailable and why is he so regularly anonymous at club level?

It's not a personal attack it is a highly relevant observation.

Convince me otherwise.

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BathBlindSide

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Malco

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Jamo
Irish fan here. This will be my first game at the Rec and cannot wait. I've read some of the comments predicting your team losing and I genuinely think it's too close to call and should be a cracker. I'm looking forward to seeing one of my all time favourites Faletau in action for his last outing with you. Here's hoping for a great afternoon and all the best

The good news is that if you are sitting near the touchline you may well be able to shake his hand and get his autograph while the match is in progress. On the rare occasions he has turned out for Bath this season he has seemed to do everything he can to hang around on the touchline and keep as far away from the action as possible.

Rude and tbh inappropriate. Why is this ok? Thought attacking players personally wasn't in the spirit of this board. People have been banned for accusing players of not trying etc etc And yet this is acceptable? Great player whom it has been an honour to watch.

Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2022:05:20:21:45:18 by Malco.

Polite question Malco... Based on what you see you're clearly not impressed with the contributions of Cipriani and Faletau. Many would agree with you. When posters criticise the coaching team you quite vociferously question these posters' judgement. Given no one sees the coaches in operation (Unlike the players) isn't it reasonable to judge them on results/performances?

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TomReagan
Polite question Malco... Based on what you see you're clearly not impressed with the contributions of Cipriani and Faletau. Many would agree with you. When posters criticise the coaching team you quite vociferously question these posters' judgement. Given no one sees the coaches in operation (Unlike the players) isn't it reasonable to judge them on results/performances?

Coaches have a massive advantage over players in this regard.

You can see the players play and you can draw your own conclusions.

My main reason for defending the coaches this season is that many of our best players have been so often unavailable. I don't think it is reasonable to place too much blame on the coaches in that circumstance. I think any top level sports team will struggle without many of its best players for so much of the season.

People criticise Hooper for the coaching problems. Hooper isn't a coach. I don't know what he does do but I do know what he doesn't do. It doesn't make sense to me to criticise someone for coaching problems who isn't a coach.

If someone was to put forward a reasoned argument that showed a coach was failing to perform then I would be very happy to accept that. I do think our coaching structure was wrong from the start this season and we needed a dedicated defence coach.

Was that decision taken by Stuart Hooper? I don't know and in the absence of that knowledge I don't feel that I can criticise him. If someone knows that it was his personal decision and posts that with evidence then I would be happy to criticise him for that.

Likewise the rest of the coaching team. We have so much chopping and changing in this over the course of the season. Clearly whoever appointed the coaches we had at the start of the season got it wrong, purely based on the fact that several of them moved on mid season.

Was Hooper responsible for that or did it come from further up the chain?

It does seem to me that our strength and conditioning was inadequate but perhaps that isn't surprising when you are forced to play loan players, academy boys and deep squad players in mix and match teams week in, week out.

The teams that have played have regularly looked as if they have hardly ever played together. And that's not a surprise either because on a regular basis they haven't.

It has been a cursed season from start to finish but who do you look to in these circumstances? Your most experienced star players.

And in my view our most experienced star players, Faletau and Cipriani, have spectacularly failed to deliver, for whatever reason.

The only bright spot has been the blooming of youngsters who have shown themselves to be raw but who have also shown that they have all the commitment and determination and discipline that many senior players have failed to match.

In such times of adversity we should expect to see our experienced players setting an example for the youngsters to follow. We would expect to see the youngsters making naive errors and falling foul of the referees whistle through naïveté and poor discipline. What we have seen has been practically the opposite.

That is a positive sign for the future and a damning indictment of the present and the recent past.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2022:05:20:22:31:34 by Malco.

We have a potentially stellar starting lineup of backs in Spencer, RMc, OB2, Mojo, JJ, Horse and TdG. What we don't have is quick ball for them to play with. If we can fix that problem (and keep them all fit), I think the future actually looks pretty bright.

I would have thought the incoming coaching team, who's speciality seems to be coaching players to produce quick ball, would be licking their lips at the prospect of getting their hands on that lot.

... IMHO, of course.

Now in Honolulu

For what it's worth Malco I agree completely with your views on Hooper and why it's hard to judge him. The coaching team, as we've pretty much all said, was never likely to succeed.

I take the point it's more 'obvious' to judge players and than non playing staff cos we see more of their performance.

I do however think it's possible to make some educated judgement of the off field set up.

Hoops is in charge of the rugby side of the club- he put together the coaching team , the s&c dept etc. I imagine he has more resources and budget to do that than some of the 12 clubs above us.if there is meddling that he couldn't handle maybe he wasn't right for the job or the job wasn't right for him.

Getting players fit, in shape and on the field of play is ultimately part of his remit.

I am prepared to cut him a little bit of slack on the assumption he is learning fast and also because he has helped put in a structure that is now churning out good young players. He has a little bit of goodwill left from me ( as does hats).

To the points further up I am less inclined to blame the coaches as the structure they were placed in was all wrong and whilst I never like to blame injuries as all clubs continually have loads given the attritional nature of the prem we do seem to have suffered particularly badly. Safe to say none of them have added to their reputations being associated with a team who have generally looked clueless and occasionally disinterested.

I am delighted the issues haven't been whitewashed- new chairman, new head coach, new defence coach, new attack coach, new s&c staff and decent player churn is welcomed by me and leaves us with no more excuses.

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charlieboa
...he put together the coaching team , the s&c dept etc. I imagine he has more resources and budget to do that than some of the 12 clubs above us.if there is meddling that he couldn't handle maybe he wasn't right for the job or the job wasn't right for him.
Getting players fit, in shape and on the field of play is ultimately part of his remit.

Why are you so certain of this?

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Malco

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charlieboa
...he put together the coaching team , the s&c dept etc. I imagine he has more resources and budget to do that than some of the 12 clubs above us.if there is meddling that he couldn't handle maybe he wasn't right for the job or the job wasn't right for him.
Getting players fit, in shape and on the field of play is ultimately part of his remit.

Why are you so certain of this?

What's the alternative theory?

He says himself he is responsible for the non- playing structures and staff.

He continually said not having a specialist defence coach and giving hatley the role was his decision.

That is either true or he feels the need to lie.

Do you think Bruce and tarquin have been meddling and hoops hasn't been given free reign to do his job?

If so do you think Bruce's 'removal" as chairman is the most significant of the changes?

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BathBlindSide

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Malco

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Jamo
Irish fan here. This will be my first game at the Rec and cannot wait. I've read some of the comments predicting your team losing and I genuinely think it's too close to call and should be a cracker. I'm looking forward to seeing one of my all time favourites Faletau in action for his last outing with you. Here's hoping for a great afternoon and all the best

The good news is that if you are sitting near the touchline you may well be able to shake his hand and get his autograph while the match is in progress. On the rare occasions he has turned out for Bath this season he has seemed to do everything he can to hang around on the touchline and keep as far away from the action as possible.

Rude and tbh inappropriate. Why is this ok? Thought attacking players personally wasn't in the spirit of this board. People have been banned for accusing players of not trying etc etc And yet this is acceptable? Great player whom it has been an honour to watch.

+1

Surprised the mods let this personal attack on a player slide without comment.

In a word, yes.

I don't know that is the case, it's the opinion I've formed from talking to a few people who all say the same thing.

If it is the case Hooper has been set up to fail and is now the personal target for large numbers of frustrated fans. If that is the case it's desperately sad.

I think the Chairman change is the most significant development at the club since Bruce took over.

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charlieboa

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Malco

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charlieboa
...he put together the coaching team , the s&c dept etc. I imagine he has more resources and budget to do that than some of the 12 clubs above us.if there is meddling that he couldn't handle maybe he wasn't right for the job or the job wasn't right for him.
Getting players fit, in shape and on the field of play is ultimately part of his remit.

Why are you so certain of this?

What's the alternative theory?

He says himself he is responsible for the non- playing structures and staff.

He continually said not having a specialist defence coach and giving hatley the role was his decision.

That is either true or he feels the need to lie.

Do you think Bruce and tarquin have been meddling and hoops hasn't been given free reign to do his job?

If so do you think Bruce's 'removal" as chairman is the most significant of the changes?

Interesting, thanks malco.

Let's hope if that was the case he is given a free hand from now on

I see Irish have a bonus point already. Next season can't come soon enough now.

Oh ye of little faith

How we are 27-24 with 6 mins left, I have no idea. We seem to have been second best on every aspect for most of the game

NEVER IN DOUBT!!

Well, we won 27-24 ... No sure how exactly but we did.

And we are not bottom of the league, actually tied in pts with Newcastle !



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:05:21:17:07:28 by supermarinematt.

Well done Bath

Awesome atmosphere, great result and good send off for Roko.

Didn’t see Watson celebrating with the squad at the end which was a shame if he actually wasn’t there.

He was there with his young one on the pitch at the end

( quote Malco]/quote] The good news is that if you are sitting near the touchline you may well be able to shake his hand and get his autograph while the match is in progress. On the rare occasions he has turned out for Bath this season he has seemed to do everything he can to hang around on the touchline and keep as far away from the action as possible.[/quote]

Ross Batty on radio comms today praised Faletau as a man, as tremendous player and how much it hurt him when he couldn’t play as all he wanted was to play rugby.
You should be ashamed of yourself Malco and your spiteful comments deleted

Sorry BH, couldn't get Internet so let you down. I wouldn't have taken a pint off you for that win anyway-expected us to play well!

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TomReagan
Sorry BH, couldn't get Internet so let you down. I wouldn't have taken a pint off you for that win anyway-expected us to play well!

I was there with FT & a pint as agreed TR. I was happy that we won as it provided a good end to the season at the Rec though I thought we underperformed throughout most of the match as I had expected. I just hope we can have a full clear out after the Worcester match & start the rebuilding process with a good set of coaches. It will take some turning around but it can be done with the right approach & mindset.

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OutsideBath
Awesome atmosphere, great result and good send off for Roko.
Didn’t see Watson celebrating with the squad at the end which was a shame if he actually wasn’t there.

Yep Ant was there with his child going round with the others.

Taulupe put in a very strong performance after a quiet start. His break to give a try scoring pass to Ben Spencer was divine. Two great try saving tackles by Joe C but his replacement the Horse was right as he seemed to be tiring. What a try with his first touch!

PM'd you BH. You're a very honorable gentleman!

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hard work
He was there with his young one on the pitch at the end

Ah that’s good, must have missed him with all the focus on Roko.

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OutsideBath
Ah that’s good, must have missed him with all the focus on Roko.

Roko is a Bath legend but it did think that it was a bit harsh on some of the others leaving that they didn't get a similar send off.

In terms of the match...

Positives:

1) we won
2) it was sunny
3) not quite sure how we won but we did
4) we won
5) end of season is even closer

Negatives:

1) not much - for the reasons given above

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

Well that was the most enjoyable afternoon I have spent at the rec for a while, though that is a low bar. The result was important, and the reaction of the players at the end told a story. Several plusses: I thought our tries were good: Taulupe's break the Spencer try, the way that Orlando created Williams' try was sublime, and Clark's kick to put Muir in was excellent. Scrum, with Stuart/Dunn/Obano for the last quarter looked strong also. I also thought there was a lot of dog about the team -injured pride after Glaws?

But its so frustrating that we play only in patches. If JVG can sort us out up front, and bring greater consistency to our play, then there's much to be optimistic about.

The warmth and appreciation for Roko was immense, greater than I recall for any departing player in the last 20 years (although my memory is not always 100 per cent reliable). And it was fully deserved. But like BM53 I did feel a little awkward for the other departees who have also given much to the cause.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:05:21:22:07:03 by EastendBath.

Like others, I'm not quite sure how we won that, but there was enough endeavour to encourage me.
Great atmosphere as ever, very much appreciated by my LI guests.
Keep the faith!

Roko's been an amazingly consistent performer for us for 10 years. No disrespect to the others who were leaving but I can understand why he received most of the attention.
I thought we were really poor to be honest. Attacking wise I thought we'd shown some improvement of late. Today we looked clueless aside from a few good individual breaks and kicked a lot of ball away to a side who looked really confident with ball in hand. LI must wonder how they lost. They just seemed to lose some accuracy and composure in the last 20, by which time they should have had the game wrapped up. Credit to Bath for staying in the contest but I hope we can offer more at Sixways in a fortnight or we will finish bottom. At least we've maintained the run- our last home game each season continues to be a victory played in warm sunshine with a lovely atmosphere around the marquees afterwards. A bit of an advert for summer rugby really...

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P G Tips

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TomReagan
No stats to hand but I have many recollections of winning our last home game of the season, usually in nice weather, and for that reason am untypically optimistic. Of course someone will now tell me my memory is plain wrong, but I'd be curious to know our recent win/loss record for the last home game of each season.

That is my memory too Tom, so I have just checked. We have won every final home game from 2015 to 2021 inclusive (I have not checked further back).

PG

Great stat. Locks in with my thinking. Glad I had my sunscreen on yesterday.

J

Just watched the game. Well, we won. But we won whilst doing our very best impression of the Dog and Duck 3rds. Our game management was pitiful, our individual decision making was desperately poor and our organisation was so slow as to be non-existant and no wonder - Josh McNally on comms was saying AFTER 15 FREAKING MINUTES that Bath were shot.

All our tries were moments of individual skill while all of Irish's were team tries clearly pre-planned and constructed. Therein lies the difference. And I doubt a full pre-season, even with new coaches, is going to fix that.

There is something rotten in the state of Denmark and we still haven't identified what it is yet. Maybe EdG knows. I hope so. Perhaps going back to training at Lambridge and showering in a PortaCabin will fix it but it seems unlikely.

My MotM - Roko. Because Roko. But also because he was one of the very few in BBW who seemed to have the faintest overall idea of what he was trying to do.

... IMHO, of course.

Now in Honolulu

We won, it was sunny, beer was nice, we’re not bottom of the league. Rocco go a great send off. Not going to analyse the game to much as that’s the last home games with the current coaching regime. Next time I see Bath it’s a JvG coached team and time to pass early judgement then!

"It's all right, Andy! It's just bolognaise!"

We sounded abysmal on the radio commentary and utterly outplayed at home by a mid table team who had a fixture in the week.

Cant rely on individual moments of brilliance whilst generally being clueles, esp when some of those came from guys leaving.

It's a win, sun was shining, roko departs the rec on a high and beno is back....Nice to have a few positives at least but jeeze jvg and team have their work cut out

I know we have had a rubbish season but even when we win people pile on here with negativity.

We made a late decision to go (Friday about 10,30pm) and am really glad we did.

Great atmosphere, an exciting game, a win and I left yesterday really hopeful for next year.

The reason for my optimism are. The win clearly mattered to the players and I think we won because overall our players are better than the LI ones. Let me explain why I think that.

Watching the game it was clear our defensive structure us still poor as is our structured attack. LI were able to create opportunities against us from all phases by the way they attacked as a unit and our defence was easily unpicked. However the commitment and physicality at some points combined with committed scramble defence plugged the gaps. That was due to individual players actions. The same was true in attack where our best moments came from individual skills not an attacking shape that troubles defences.

So I think yesterday showed we have a squad that can compete with most in the prem once we get the right playing structures in place. A good coaching team should be able to resolve that during a pre season and I am hopeful that is what we have in place for next year.

On another issue it felt yesterday like it has a few times this season at the beginning of the match the ref was expecting LI to be on top so viewed all the tight calls through that lens. The difference yesterday was that as we stayed in the fight the tight cars appeared to even out. The 2 scrum pens that won the game the one for the last 3 points in front of the postscand the in the last couple of mins that took us into their 22 have would have gone against us earlier in the game or in most other games this season (having Beno back helps).

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joethefanatic
Just watched the game. Well, we won. But we won whilst doing our very best impression of the Dog and Duck 3rds. Our game management was pitiful, our individual decision making was desperately poor and our organisation was so slow as to be non-existant and no wonder - Josh McNally on comms was saying AFTER 15 FREAKING MINUTES that Bath were shot.
All our tries were moments of individual skill while all of Irish's were team tries clearly pre-planned and constructed. Therein lies the difference. And I doubt a full pre-season, even with new coaches, is going to fix that.

There is something rotten in the state of Denmark and we still haven't identified what it is yet. Maybe EdG knows. I hope so. Perhaps going back to training at Lambridge and showering in a PortaCabin will fix it but it seems unlikely.

My MotM - Roko. Because Roko. But also because he was one of the very few in BBW who seemed to have the faintest overall idea of what he was trying to do.

That entirely reflects my view of the game Joe & you can add speed of thought, word & deed. They were sharper than us in every respect. We were sluggish in comparison. I do think that JvG can bring about the change but the presence of Hatley & Hooper could hinder that process.

Agree with all your points murty and many reasons for optimism next season. I think jp ferraira may be the key coaching appointment given how well regarded he is and our tendency to concede 60+ pts.

Do think it's key that we don't bury our head in the sand though about just how bad we are and scraping an undeserved win against a mid table team who played a cup final 4 days earlier doesn't really give me great hope.

The hope comes from the amount of change Ed g's review has driven which should mean it feels like a different club next season and we can start getting the potential out of a squad that it feels should be at least mid table.

Obviously the development of the likes of richards, bailey and mojo doesn't do any harm either- all fantastic prospects who have put their hands up during tough times.

Can we talk about ewells' yellow... 👀

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dannyf2
Can we talk about ewells' yellow... 👀

We totally missed the incident that resulted in his yellow card, assumed the TMO interfered and highlighted something to the ref.

At the end it didn’t matter as we managed to find a way not to lose the game.

Really pleased the world rugby are finally taking action over the orange bib brigade. After a few minutes the game briefly stopped and we counted 9 of them mounting a pitch invasion!

Well that was the first match this season I’ve taken my daughter to, so she has a 100% win record for the season, maybe I should have taken her earlier in the season!!!

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OutsideBath

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dannyf2
Can we talk about ewells' yellow... 👀

We totally missed the incident that resulted in his yellow card, assumed the TMO interfered and highlighted something to the ref.

At the end it didn’t matter as we managed to find a way not to lose the game.

Its on the highlights - 'cheap shot' on the LI player after he had passed the balls. Totally unnecessary IMO.

I forgot to mention one final positive. The pitch yesterday was quite possibly the best I have seen it in nearly 40 years of watching Bath Rugby. It was absolutely beautiful, looked like something from centre court (at the start of the tournament). Chapeau to the grounds staff who aren't mentioned in a positive light too often but they did themselves proud.

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

I don't like to be negative murty and try and find positives but actually found more 'reasons to be cheerful' in some of our defeats than I did yesterday. Watching LI they were better than us in every facet of the game. Some of our players kept us in the game by sheer commitment-I thought Reid and Underhill in particular were impressive plugging gaps and Roko and Clarke had good games. I just thought we looked off the pace and lacking any energy-it should have been LI that were tired, not us. We had gone back to not trusting ourselves with the ball, so LI monopolised territory and possession until they imploded in the last 20. Again our attacking maul was non-existent. Our new coaching team will surely make a difference beginning with improving mindset and fitness if nothing else, but I'm still cautious given the pack, even with the welcome return of Attwood, looks lightweight.

Well, we won, but as others have observed, more on individual flair and moments of inspiration than on anything game-plan based. Yes, there was quite a lot of heart, which was encouraging, but the defensive lapses remain too many, too obvious.

Leadership seems a big challenge. Once again we saw our opponents using injury breaks and TMO check timeouts to gather round, issue instructions, rally the troops- Bath players were scattered about individually or in small groups, seemingly just waiting.

We badly need an onfield leader to step up, as well as a shakeup of attitude by the coaching team.

PG

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P G Tips
Well, we won, but as others have observed, more on individual flair and moments of inspiration than on anything game-plan based. Yes, there was quite a lot of heart, which was encouraging, but the defensive lapses remain too many, too obvious.
Leadership seems a big challenge. Once again we saw our opponents using injury breaks and TMO check timeouts to gather round, issue instructions, rally the troops- Bath players were scattered about individually or in small groups, seemingly just waiting.

We badly need an onfield leader to step up, as well as a shakeup of attitude by the coaching team.

PG

I agree re the leadership. I’ve long maintained that a leader should be in the field at all times and sadly Ewells seems to regularly be missing…

Underhill is an outstanding player, but not one who I see as vocal. Leads by example. The one who stood out to me yesterday for trying to gee up and encourage everyone was De-Glanville…. Perhaps he’s ready to follow his Dad?

That yellow from Ewels was so stupid. There was no reason to do it and zero benefit.

Ok we were very poor yesterday, a few incredible pieces of skill (take a bow Taulupe, such a shame we didn't see the best of you). But what an absolute joy to be back at a fully packed rec in the sunshine for a win and to meet up with friends old and new. Great win, great send off for Roko, this season has been a travesty but there's no place I'd rather watch rugby.

(Also Paddy Jackson has cost Irish two wins in a week, couldn't happen to a more deserving person)

What a great day!

I had 20 guests in hospitality and they all seemed to really enjoy every aspect.

Great atmosphere, great noise and universally my guests said what a beautiful setting and they really enjoyed the drinks on the "outfield" after the game. Many watch rugby at other clubs and were very, very envious of our beautiful setting......if not our team (although nothing was said as they are very polite)!

The annoying thing about Faletau, who by the way I think is an amazing player, is that one Saturday he is MOTM for Wales and then the next week it is hard to remember if he was on the pitch. Now that might be because we have not played to his strengths. I was asked by one of my guests, who watches Saracens regularly when did Faletau get subbed............in fact he was still on the pitch.

Now we bear Worcester in two weeks time and we will have won 6 from 24..........

Faletau usually top or close to it in tackles made but his creative skills aren't so evident. Much of that is down to how we play. In a team like Irish, Briz or Quins I think he'd be great to watch (When fit of course). Incidentally, I can't attach it, but read the report in Somerset Live and next season I'm going to try and watch every game with their reporter's positive mindset. Our win, in a 'mesmerising clash' was 'well deserved'...

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hasta
That yellow from Ewels was so stupid. There was no reason to do it and zero benefit.
Ok we were very poor yesterday, a few incredible pieces of skill (take a bow Taulupe, such a shame we didn't see the best of you). But what an absolute joy to be back at a fully packed rec in the sunshine for a win and to meet up with friends old and new. Great win, great send off for Roko, this season has been a travesty but there's no place I'd rather watch rugby.

(Also Paddy Jackson has cost Irish two wins in a week, couldn't happen to a more deserving person)

+1

The fact we played poorly without any cohesive strategy didn’t matter, the result was all that mattered.

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Bath Supporter Jack
What a great day!
I had 20 guests in hospitality and they all seemed to really enjoy every aspect.

Great atmosphere, great noise and universally my guests said what a beautiful setting and they really enjoyed the drinks on the "outfield" after the game. Many watch rugby at other clubs and were very, very envious of our beautiful setting......if not our team (although nothing was said as they are very polite)!

The annoying thing about Faletau, who by the way I think is an amazing player, is that one Saturday he is MOTM for Wales and then the next week it is hard to remember if he was on the pitch. Now that might be because we have not played to his strengths. I was asked by one of my guests, who watches Saracens regularly when did Faletau get subbed............in fact he was still on the pitch.

Now we bear Worcester in two weeks time and we will have won 6 from 24..........

In case you missed it, Spencer's try came of a lengthy break by Faletau.

Let’s not get too carried away with this edgy win.
It’s great to see 7 players have now been called up by EJ for this weeks get together. Add to this Faletau, Bayliss, Redpath, Roko, DG, Dunn, Beno, Spencer, Ojo, Muir, Reid, etc. etc and it really does beg the question as to who should put their hands up and accept responsibility for this shambles of a season irrespective of the LI win

What a great day - like many others I am not quite sure how we won that match - we were second best in so many departments and Irish looked dangerous every time they touched the ball.

Personally I think Charlie's yellow card was borne out of sheer frustration for the season, yes uncalled for but Charlie is not a dirty player and having talked to Mike Williams post match it is clear just how much frustration and disappointment is in the squad and just how much excitement for next season under JVG which was brilliant to hear.

All in all a great day in the sun with friends and what a great sign off for Roko - yes other players are leaving and perhaps they were eclipsed but Roko has been Bath through and through he has been a crowd favourite for so many years I guess it was inevitable.

Now just one more game to decide who will be the "strongest" side in the league (holding everyone else up) and then confine and lock this season to the deepest of vaults.

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Old Bath Tub
TF will score Tomorrow .......!!

Not quite but he did put in a performance not least breaking the tackles and sprinting for
Ben Spencer to score !

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"AN OUNCE OF ACTION IS WORTH A TON OF THEORY"
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Anyone else think that JJ spent a bit too much time at first receiver?*

Is that fully pre-planned? Is he taking things into his own hands because he's desperate to exert more influence? Is it another 'nanny Orlando' tactic? Or am I wrong, and it works really well, and/or I'm just overstating it?

* Haven't read through the whole thread so apologies if this is covered elsewhere.

It is 100% pre-planned and it's not a unique pattern to Bath - a lot of teams are looking to put their fly-half in a second receiver pattern to spread the play wider. For Toulouse for example, you often see the winger step in to play 9 out to Dupont playing 1st receiver and Ntamack wider. It also creates more space by engaging the defence and potentially drawing wingers up into the line so your 10 can then kick deep.

JJ has been playing a lot of first receiver for a couple of seasons now. I wouldn't have said it was particularly effective and I definitely prefer seeing Mojo/Redpath playing that role - although JJ has have an excellent line in a grubber kick. With Clark moving on I wonder if JJ will move back to a more 'traditional' attacking 13 role, which might get him back on the scoresheet more often.

Cheers hasta - interesting.

Was also noticeable how many Bath players were trying the no-look pass in that first receiver position .... maybe Cipriani's final weeks here have been spent trying to pass that skill on!

Enjoyed a great day at the Rec, but like others found it frustrating how they poorly they played for long periods despite trying so hard. The win seemed to be more because Irish ran out of steam after 60 minutes, not surprising as they had played a cup final including extra time 6 days before and I hope the coaching staff will not see it as a comfort going into next year - we are still a long way away playing well. Why was Spencers service so slow, was it team orders, he can move the ball much quicker than he did on Saturday?

Going into next season, we have at least seen plenty of good tries, even if most were scored by the opposition, I hope we don't put too much emphasis on defence and forget we have a much more difficult problem to solve in attack

I am sure Ewells is not a dirty player.................but this act and a number of his other ones have been remarkably stupid.

The Ref got it right when he said no need for it and a cheap shot.

Why can't he engage his brain??

Underhill is way too good for Bath this season.

Just watched the full game through and overall encouraging in many areas but certainly looked very enjoyable for the big crowd especially being a farewell game for Roko and co.

Irish didn't have quite the incisive spark you might have expected at times so perhaps the midweek game drained them sufficiently. Think it's harsh to say that Jackson cost them the game hasta. As far as I could tell the only thing he did wrong was miss with two not exactly straightforward conversions - the game for them was lost elsewhere in my view

But how much different would our season have been had we had that performance from Faletau much more often. That's not a dig at him in any way just a rueful observation

Jackson missed two gettable conversions (off the back of missing four straight in the Prem Cup final). They also turned down multiple shots at goal.

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hasta
Jackson missed two gettable conversions (off the back of missing four straight in the Prem Cup final). They also turned down multiple shots at goal.

Don't dispute that hasta, just think its harsh to say he cost them the match because of two gettable kicks that were also missable of which one hit the post. Declining the other goal shots was when they were looking more for the try bonus point weren't they? For me, they lost the game for other reasons though must say Bailey's second conversion was a peach

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dannyf2
Can we talk about ewells' yellow... 👀

The referee summed it up perfectly…..

“Cheap, unnecessary and illegal”

Unfortunately it then sets the tone for the ref/captain relationship for the rest of the game.

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Sheddings

“Cheap, unnecessary and illegal”

Have had quite a bit of pleasure from some stuff fitting that description

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gaz59
But how much different would our decade have been had we had that performance from Faletau much more often. That's not a dig at him in any way just a rueful observation

FTFY.

... IMHO, of course.

Now in Honolulu

True Joe, so true

What a wonderful moment!