Bath v Bedford Blues – Premiership Rugby Cup Preview

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:02:04:13:32:44 by hasta.

Thanks shipwrecked nice preview & thorough team analysis. One quibble: the game is at the Rec on Sunday, rather than Goldington Road, where they troubled us for an hour or so last November.

PG

A mere detail PG, it should have included the line "Round 4 Sun 2nd Feb 2025 K.O. 3.00pm" at the Recreation Ground and the text reads wrongly. Sorry everyone.

On the player analysis many thanks to 'Tryblues' for background information of the players and staff at Bedford Blues. I've tried to highlight characters and our younger talent to make the game interesting. Its televised on TNT as well.


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

Really good read, thank you sw

Great preview. Always good to get an insight into the oppo and a lot of that info probably wasn't freely available, so thank you.

Taking my youngest to her first game this weekend so need to be prepared...there will be MANY questions.

Would be great to win this competition. I know priorities are elsewhere but I'm still mindful that - despite our lofty position in the league - we haven't won anything since 2008 (not counting A League I'm afraid, too much of a stretch).

Thanks for those comments BB, its interesting to compare the life of a Champo supporter with our situation. Five of the team we played at Bedford were in fact DR (Dual Registered) players with Saints.
Dean Adamson their winger is the top Champo try scorer and together with Alex Day their scrum half have played 200 games each.
As a club it will be a special day they will give it their all on the pitch and I'm sure you'll daughter will enjoy her day.


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

Just to show the mammoth task our whole squad train 3 nights a week and the playing budget wouldn’t even pay for Finn Russell (not that he will play).

Hoping Blues can keep the score respectable, come out injury free and score a few tries with our generally attacking brand of rugby.

Quote:

TryBlues
Just to show the mammoth task our whole squad train 3 nights a week and the playing budget wouldn’t even pay for Finn Russell (not that he will play).
Hoping Blues can keep the score respectable, come out injury free and score a few tries with our generally attacking brand of rugby.

Don't doubt the financial gulf, but you ran us pretty close at your place so no reason to think it'll be a walkover.

Looks like we had 10 or so in the squad that day who have all played Prem/CC rugby for us this season and I'd think expect similar standard of team on Sunday. Certainly won't be an easy game.

Will be mostly Aacademy/Squad players but U20 6Nations will impact selection. One or two senior players may turn out.

PG

I was at the Rec the last time Bath hosted Bedford. It was in February, 2000. We won 32-22.

This was the season the league decided to award 3 points for a win post World Cup, i.e. part way through the season. Seems an odd, and typically English solution to reward teams losing their best players for the first half of the season. That said, Bath seemed to benefit from it, winning the majority of those matches and finishing second to Leicester.

Any thoughts on the expected make up of the back row? All academy or including some senior players given that Alfie Barbeary played in the November game?


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

Very good preview......I rather feel the bar has been raised "Shippie".

Let's not forget Bedford are top of their league. I am sure their players will give it a good go as playing at the Rec is a big deal and playing against the Club leading the premiership is an even bigger deal.

I suspect the first 20 minutes will be "warm".

Very much looking forward to it.

Bedford are currently 2nd in the Championship.

Quote:

shipwrecked
Any thoughts on the expected make up of the back row? All academy or including some senior players given that Alfie Barbeary played in the November game?

Depends if we have recalled any loanees I think. I would imagine something close to the first round of matches but Jaco Coetzee might get a runout or Miles Reid.

PG

Quote:

P G Tips

Quote:

shipwrecked
Any thoughts on the expected make up of the back row? All academy or including some senior players given that Alfie Barbeary played in the November game?

Depends if we have recalled any loanees I think. I would imagine something close to the first round of matches but Jaco Coetzee might get a runout or Miles Reid.

PG

Agree, Ethan Staddon, Arthur Green and Jaco Coetzee seems a strong line up, is Guy Pepper ready yet?


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

I'm sure Miles Reid deserves a rest more than almost anyone else.

Coka, TdG and Ojomoh at minimum are all in Antigua

Quote:

Bath Supporter Jack
I am sure their players will give it a good go as playing at the Rec is a big deal and playing against the Club leading the premiership is an even bigger deal.

I suspect the first 20 minutes will be "warm".

Very much looking forward to it.

Echoes of Jersey RFC!

Team up:

TEAM
Bath Rugby Starting XV: 1 Aurthur Cordwell, 2 Jasper Spandler, 3 Kieran Verden, 4 Harvey Cuckson, 5 Ewan Richards ©, 6 Ethan Staddon, 7 Tom Cowan, 8 Aurthur Green, 9 Tom Carr-Smith, 10 Orlando Bailey, 11 Ruaridh McConnochie, 12 Will Butt, 13 Louie Hennessey, 14, Sam Harris, 15 Ciaran Donoghue

Replacements: 16 John Stewart, 17 Scott Kirk, 18 Archie Stanley, 19 Jack Bennett, 20 Mackenzie Graham, 21 Neil le Roux, 22 Austin Emens, 23 Will Parry

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

Strong side with Butt and Hennessy in the centres and Ciaran Donoghue and Austin Emens swap positions but pretty much as expected, good to see Sam Harris back with games.


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

Bedford Blues Starting XV:

15. Louis James, 14. Alfie Garside, 13. Lucas Titherington, 12. Joel Matavesi, 11. Matt Worley, 10. Will Maisey, 9. Alex Day (C); 1. Joey Conway, 2. James Fish, 3. Oisin Heffernan, 4. Rory Ward, 5. Alex Woolford, 6. Luke Frost, 7. Joe Howard, 8. Cameron King

Bedford Blues Replacements:

16. Nathan Langdon, 17. Jamie Jack, 18. Beltus Nonleh, 19. Fred Tuilagi, 20. Jac Arthur, 21. Tommy Herman, 22. James Lennon, 23. Michael Le Bourgeois


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

Dean Adamson Bedford's top try scorer not playing! Injured?


Tyler Offiah
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Unavailable for selection this week:

Dean Adamson, Jamie Elliott, Pat Tapley

[bedfordrugby.co.uk]

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

So Hennessy is available after all and loanees Green & Cowan have been recalled.

Good strong side and an insight into the future. Should be an entertaining afternoon.

PG

Quote:

P G Tips
So Hennessy is available after all and loanees Green & Cowan have been recalled.
Good strong side and an insight into the future. Should be an entertaining afternoon.

PG

Will Parry recalled as well but pushed to the bench by Hennessy and Butt, I'm sure he will feature and worth keeping an eye on.
Agree PG some real quality players to watch at the Rec or on TV.


Tyler Offiah
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Should be a very packed Rec, helped by some extremely good value tickets (in fact totally free in some cases) - good for the players to get the chance to shine in front of a big crowd.

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

Briz are putting out a very strong side v Ampthill even allowing for 6N and injury unavailables

Blues have a 6-2 split on the bench with 2 hookers! They also have 2 Saints DRs Langdon and Nonleh.

We seem to have rotated our centres as usually Le Bourgeois starts.

Shame Adamson is out, but Worley does have super fast acceleration.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:01:31:14:22:31 by TryBlues.

For some reason I expected to see one or two more experienced faces in the forwards (a Barbeary or Coetzee off the bench perhaps) but excited to see how some of these boys go regardless. Looking forward to it.

I get the feeling that the S&C team are giving a bit of extra attention to Barbeary this season, he seems fitter and slimmer. He's rarely going beyond 55minutes. Wouldn't surprise me if he's kept in the gym during this block.

Interesting with barbeary.

I am not surprised he is rested this week but I wonder if him and the s&c guys generally prefer hom playing most weeks.

They ran him into form and fitness by playing him in prem Cup and I wouldn't be surprised if he is back in the 23 soon.

Glad they are testibg squad depth this week- great opp for game time for loads who need it.

Harris on the wing again- down to lack of other options or see his future there? Good string to the bow either way.

Quote:

Charlieboa1
Glad they are testibg squad depth this week- great opp for game time for loads who need it.
Harris on the wing again- down to lack of other options or see his future there? Good string to the bow either way.

I think Emens and Donoghue fill the 15 slot, I'm watching Donoghue closely today he has massive competition for his slot but I like him and he place kicks well so Bailey needs to be on form. Harris has speed as his super power so wing it is, I think.


Tyler Offiah
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I enjoyed the first block of games in this Cup and am certainly looking forward to the game on Sunday.

It is good to see more of the younger/junior squad members.

Jack Bennett (19) on the bench is worth keeping an eye out for as well strong ball carrier.


Tyler Offiah
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I think bennett has had an injury or 2 as not seen him o.n many team sheets for last 18m.

He was standout for eng u18s so hoping for big things (esp as a fellow boa boy!)

Harris at wing would be no bad thing. Can't have too many ball playing and kicking options

Apparently we've already won - 33-14. When you search for premiership cup in Google it comes up as a result. Is this an AI prediction? Is it worth a bet? Questions 🤔

Quote:

Benisjammin
Apparently we've already won - 33-14. When you search for premiership cup in Google it comes up as a result. Is this an AI prediction? Is it worth a bet? Questions 🤔

Spot on, I wonder who scored? Be odd if the result turned out to be correct!




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

That was Quins v L Scottish yesterday!

PG

Bedford certainly not overwhelmed.


Tyler Offiah
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Jasper Spandler gets the first Bath score. Bailey converts.


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



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:02:02:15:09:33 by shipwrecked.

TCS and Orlando work an opportunity for Ciaran Donoghue to score.


Tyler Offiah
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Butt on the wing taking advantage of the extra man, scores the 3rd

A man who cannot change his mind, cannot change anything

RAEBURN SHIELD

Bath exploiting Bedford's yellow card put Butt in on the wing.


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

Left wingto right wing, cross kick back to left wing, Cowan this time the extra man.
TBP

A man who cannot change his mind, cannot change anything

RAEBURN SHIELD

TCS looking the real deal lovely cross field kick to put Tom Cowan in


Tyler Offiah
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TCS is playing well today! Making a strong case to be 1st choice Spencer replacement.

Matt Worley for Bedford works a good try but Harris misses his tackle.


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

Quote:

Benisjammin
TCS is playing well today! Making a strong case to be 1st choice Spencer replacement.

absolutely should be
A man who cannot change his mind, cannot change anything

RAEBURN SHIELD

Outrageous offload give the loose head a run in for the Bedford second try


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



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:02:02:15:36:56 by shipwrecked.

Quote:

shipwrecked
Matt Worley for Bedford works a good try but Harris misses his tackle.

Just an observation and was obviously an issue in the Bristol game, but Harris does seem to fall off a lot of tackles

Came off some good couple of.minuted by Bedford too.
Pity they switched off for the restart - obviously, not a pity for Butt

A man who cannot change his mind, cannot change anything

RAEBURN SHIELD



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:02:02:15:38:46 by Which Tyler.

Mistake at the back gives Butt an easy try Bailey misses an easy conversion.


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

Quote:

A.M 180

Quote:

shipwrecked
Matt Worley for Bedford works a good try but Harris misses his tackle.

Just an observation and was obviously an issue in the Bristol game, but Harris does seem to fall off a lot of tackles

I agree, and it's odd as he was pretty solid previously, needs to improve that area definitely if he is looking for premiership time.


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

Quote:

shipwrecked

Quote:

A.M 180

Quote:

shipwrecked
Matt Worley for Bedford works a good try but Harris misses his tackle.

Just an observation and was obviously an issue in the Bristol game, but Harris does seem to fall off a lot of tackles

I agree, and it's odd as he was pretty solid previously, needs to improve that area definitely if he is looking for premiership time.

given how good he has been before Is put it down to lack of game time, but he does need to correct that, now he can expect a run of games
A man who cannot change his mind, cannot change anything

RAEBURN SHIELD

Ok, good to here there are better foundations

I wil put it down to rust then, a lot of the time it looks like his positioning is just a bit off

TBF, for their first try, he was tracking back from the opposite wing.
Once he for there, he should have done better though

A man who cannot change his mind, cannot change anything

RAEBURN SHIELD

****

Is that the same ankle?

A man who cannot change his mind, cannot change anything

RAEBURN SHIELD

Oh dear Sam Harris looks bad! Ankle.


Tyler Offiah
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Gutted for him

Well if this is our second string I am completely underwhelmed. Pi$$ poor

31-19 Poor defence by Bath.


Tyler Offiah
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Bath's 2ns beat are so a scratch team
Bedford better than expected.
Match and TBP were secured by 30 minutes.
Bath went to sleep.

We may or.maynot need to wake up again, ut I still give a lot of credit to Bedford

A man who cannot change his mind, cannot change anything

RAEBURN SHIELD



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:02:02:16:19:22 by Which Tyler.

No excuses for that one though,and yes, we do need to wake jpy

A man who cannot change his mind, cannot change anything

RAEBURN SHIELD

Really disappointing intensity in defence. Richards has been excellent but the rest of his troops need a rocket. Don’t seem willing to put their bodies in the way or even work hard off the ball.

Big last quarter! Richards and Bailey need to get a grip of it.

2024/25 adoptee: Guy Pepper

31-26 rubbish in midfield frankly too passive in the tackle all over. Agree with HJ


Tyler Offiah
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When did the need for control come back in?

A man who cannot change his mind, cannot change anything

RAEBURN SHIELD

Emens is having a Murley.

Half this mob need “letting go” along with Robinson . A new dynamic young coach required as clearly the old guard cannot hack it! Bloody embarrassing

Panicking now, which is NOT whaty eedes

A man who cannot change his mind, cannot change anything

RAEBURN SHIELD

Quote:

Hugh Jarse
Half this mob need “letting go” along with Robinson . A new dynamic young coach required as clearly the old guard cannot hack it! Bloody embarrassing

I mean... They're probably gonna be four from four. That might be an overreaction.

Ciaran Donoghue makes another lovely break, McConnachie scores


Tyler Offiah
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Sacking half of these young men seems a tad harsh…

Donoghue has been excellent and has been given the MotM.

For me though, MotM has to be hasta with “having a Murley.” World class.

2024/25 adoptee: Guy Pepper

Quote:

Hugh Jarse
Half this mob need “letting go” along with Robinson . A new dynamic young coach required as clearly the old guard cannot hack it! Bloody embarrassing

Bedford are second in the Championship. they are no mugs.
This is a very young Bath sideand they scored 7 tries

Your comments are ridiculous.

26:0 after 30 minutes.
Switches off

A good Bedford team came back into it.
A little panic when we tried to switch back on.
Did manage to concentrate, and looked comfortable again for the last 20.

Sacking everyone seems like a hugh joverreaction

A man who cannot change his mind, cannot change anything

RAEBURN SHIELD



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2025:02:02:17:18:42 by Which Tyler.

2nd IV” flatter to deceive. But we found out a couple of things.
1. We don’t have a backup fly half if Finn gets inured.
2. We lack “dog”

HJ's criticism was valid but sacking a side and manager that beat the U20s in the previous game is definitely an over reaction.
Great game though agree with the doc Ciaran Donoghue class add to him Will Parry and TCS of course, disappointed with OB's control.


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



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:02:02:17:01:46 by shipwrecked.

Criticism of a team who had a 30 minute nap in the middle is absolutely valid.
Expressing it the way HJ did absolutely deserves to be called out.

A man who cannot change his mind, cannot change anything

RAEBURN SHIELD

Quote:

Which Tyler
26:0 after 30 minutes.
Switches off

A good Bedford team came back into it.
A little panic when we feiedfo swirch back on.
Did manage to concentrate, and looked comfortable again for the last 20.

Sacking everyone seems like a bugh joverreaction

Well done WT that has to be the record for the number of 'typos' in one post. We get the meaning though.


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

SW.
sack half the 2nd 1XV side & ex Bath and England manager. Yes
Get a young dynamic coach for seconds. Yes
Appreciate we don’t have a plan B fly half. Yes
Understand the club as a whole we lack the dog to win final’s currently.Yes
Appreciate we have come a long way since Hooperman. Definitely a huge YES

Quote:

shipwrecked

Quote:

Which Tyler
26:0 after 30 minutes.
Switches off

A good Bedford team came back into it.
A little panic when we feiedfo swirch back on.
Did manage to concentrate, and looked comfortable again for the last 20.

Sacking everyone seems like a bugh joverreaction

Well done WT that has to be the record for the number of 'typos' in one post. We get the meaning though.

I bloody hate typing on my phone - smallest screen I've had in a decade, whilst my eyes are a decade older.
I even thought I'd caught them all...

A man who cannot change his mind, cannot change anything

RAEBURN SHIELD



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:02:02:17:19:22 by Which Tyler.

HJ, did you listen to Andy Robinson's comments on the game? He knows all that, biggest disappoint for me was Orlando's control in the game. Most are still very young, Ewan Richards is still only 22 but he was one of our best players in the Hooper era. I'd agree about aggression, Bedford showed real fight when held in tackles and hit hard, I think we underestimated them and needed to be more physical.


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

Quote:

Hugh Jarse
SW.
sack half the 2nd 1XV side & ex Bath and England manager. Yes
Get a young dynamic coach for seconds. Yes
Appreciate we don’t have a plan B fly half. Yes
Understand the club as a whole we lack the dog to win final’s currently.Yes
Appreciate we have come a long way since Hooperman. Definitely a huge YES

Generally nonsense.

Where Bath ultimately won that game was in the lineout, we couldn't win our ball!

Pleased we managed to put on a show for the fans and TV as we managed to play our exciting brand of rugby.

Bath managed to exploit Worley's yellow in the first half which helped you build up a decent lead before we came back into it. At the end we ran out of a little gas to see it through and try and get a losing BP.

Blues were helped a little by Bath butchering a few opportunities, but that was partly from the effort Blues put in to try and just be in eye sight.

Quote:

Hugh Jarse
SW.
sack half the 2nd 1XV side & ex Bath and England manager. Yes
Get a young dynamic coach for seconds. Yes
Appreciate we don’t have a plan B fly half. Yes
Understand the club as a whole we lack the dog to win final’s currently.Yes
Appreciate we have come a long way since Hooperman. Definitely a huge YES

Wow we win the game yet people need sacking!

Didn’t watch the game but think you may have overreacted just a tad.

TryBlues, it was an outstanding performance, several well worked tries and the Alex Woolford off load will be talked about for years. As was the Joey Conway run in.

Great insight into the champo and that was highlighted in the post match interviews where it was made clear that the whole squad had an 8.00am start for work tomorrow. I'm sure I speak for many on here in saying your team were a huge credit to your club a big thanks for your background info as well. Good luck going forward.


Tyler Offiah
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+1 Shippy.
That was an excellent performance from a very good Bedford team. Personally, I can't pick between the first 2 Bedford tries - both were things of beauty.

A man who cannot change his mind, cannot change anything

RAEBURN SHIELD

Garside really impressive as well. That's probably the weakest team we've selected in the prc so far, we dropped the ball loads and probably left 4 tries out there against an impressive Bedford team who play together week in, week out. Loads to work on, nothing to be hyperbolic about.

Quote:

hasta
Emens is having a Murley.

Mean but funny.

Big shout out to the Bedford supporters on the East Terrace. Lovey people and great fun , great songs and chants. A lot of them sponsor Bedford players shirts. A credit to Rugby

Widcombe Garçon

Andy Robinson seemed to say Harris’s injury was knee related.

Donoghue, TCS, Richards (he always does) and Stewart all looked good.

Quote "Criticism of a team who had a 30 minute nap in the middle is absolutely valid.
Expressing it the way HJ did absolutely deserves to be called out".
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This exactly!

Well played Bedford, some lovely link play and I liked the look of their no.14.. plus an outrageous offload or two. Watching from the stands I never felt we'd lose this one, more lack of concentration. Though TCS did well, and Butt was his normal sharp self.

Big positive was the number of kids around the ground watching, big success in broadening the normal audience and lovely to see

Quote:

Hugh Jarse
Half this mob need “letting go” along with Robinson . A new dynamic young coach required as clearly the old guard cannot hack it! Bloody embarrassing

Are you real. Credit to Bedford who enjoyed some excellent rugby but that Bath team did OK considering they spend most of their time training rather than playing matches ( the A league would help). Bedford are second in the Championship yet this highlights the gulf between that league and our mostly reserves. Well deserved player of the match reward to Ciaran Donoghue.
Don't you realise the "old guard" are the same coaches who manage the team that are top of the Premiership.

It's right to have high expectations of a club with big ambitions but I think we need a sense of proportion. We are head of our Pool and highly likely to qualify and at present have the best points difference.

Our last match v Bedford (with as hasta says a stronger team) was 0-0 at HT, with Bath mostly defending. Bath fell behind 0-7 and had to rely on Alfie Barbeary to pull us back into the game. This time we went 21-0 up before conceding and had secured the BP before HT.

The second half implosion can justifiably be criticised, but we did take control late on to win with a bit of comfort.

I have not seen the TV coverage, but in the ground it did not seem that OB's control was the problem - more that Bath were outmuscled for 30 minutes by Bedford's pack. There seemed a reluctance to get into an arm wrestle at the breakdown (coaching orders?) which handed possession and momentum to the visitors.

When the chips were down, with a concerning 5 point only lead, Bath showed both character and considerable determination. 3 tries were scored (2 chalked off, but Bath rode the resulting frustration and disappointment) and the final set of drives for `Le Roux's score were full of purpose and aggression.

I doubt Andy Robinson will allow any sense of complacency for the Ampthill match.

A testing day sure, but not exactly crisis territory!

PG

Kudos to Bedford...looked ominous after their yellow but they came right back into it with some quality rugby and had me very worried.

My young daughter and I really enjoyed the game. Loads of kids messing around with rugby balls in the sun before the game. As it should be. She's now desperate to go again...Grandad will have stiff competition for his seat when he returns from holiday!

I think people are being a bit harsh on bailey. Having watched it back I thought he showed a lot of class. There were a few errors, but first half especially, i thought he had a really strong game and really got the backline moving.
Really enjoyed Bedford 's performance and this competition is a lot better for having the championship teams in it

I thought Bailey was in general a much more confident and interesting distributor than previously, he had a couple of big errors two poor kicks and the knock on on the line. It wasn't his fault so many people kept dropping the ball. I think it'll be interesting to see how he develops over the next few games as the team starts to gel a bit more and sharpens up.

TCS in general great and so quick to three breakdown but a few knock ons. Gutted for Sam Harris.

My concern re Bailey was his game control, I thought his kicking was poor and he could have put us upfield kicking to touch, particularly since we were winning all the line outs.
In comparison with Ciaran Donoghue who made several line breaks and was generally elusive Bailey seems to want to take it into contact.
TCS was very accomplished the kick in open play for Tom Cowan's try was a delight.


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

I did find it strange that Bailey would want to take it into contact. This type of game was an opportunity for him to show his skills but it didn’t really happen for him. The error count was extremely high for everyone which is very frustrating. If they are intent on winning this cup they really have to tighten up. On that showing I wouldn’t want to see many of these players elevated to the first team. I do hope Sam Harris has not suffered a repeat injury. He is so talented.

Hats off to Bedford who I thought looked really good for large parts of that match. They have several players who wouldn't look out of place in Premiership squads, such as Garside who I thought played really well and was a handful.

Ciaran Donoghue underlined that he is a better 15 than he is a 10 (I wasn't blown away by his game vs England U20s) and looked very sharp. Lineout seemed to go to pot when Stewart came on, but as ever I wasn't sure if that was a thrower, lifter or jumper issue. Hennessy and Butt looked good as a pairing again. The new young Bath 9 Neil Le Roux looked exciting as well, first time I've seen him.

Agree with Barfboy, excellent idea for the club to give out loads of free tickets to schools and clubs for exactly that reason - more than a few of them will have caught the rugby 'bug' and will want to come back. Also nice to have the sun on our faces!

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

Is garside alfie from bath uni?

Always looked a decent player.

Good to hear le roux had an impact.

Shame donohue will be about 4th or 5th choice fullback next season presumably.

One in a v long list who may be better served by moving on if they want regular game time to develop.

Such a shame for harris- was literally saying to a friend yest that all he needs now is some luck with injury and a run of games.

Couldn't watch match yest but recorded it so live in hope of finding a fee hours

Looked like a knee meniscus tear or ligament to me - popped when he changed direction stepping a player? That poor lad has zero luck with injuries.

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

Quote:

BathMatt53
Looked like a knee meniscus tear or ligament to me - popped when he changed direction stepping a player? That poor lad has zero luck with injuries.

Any kind of ballpark prognosis on that kind of injury matt?

Season ender?

Not enough credit being given to Andy Robinson imo. Bath are in such a good position with both the prem cup and management of the senior academy. Bath are really the only side that has taken this tournament how it should be and played a developing side every game. This week we saw almost all other prem sides putting out their strongest side in order to make sure they make the QF. Meanwhile bath sit top of the pool with almost and entirely Bath academy + graduate team.

Bears will almost certainly go full strength so that will be an almighty ask. But I hope we stick with the squad that has done so well.

The level that the academy is at right now is higher than I remember for a long time. So many playing champ rugby. Also in a position when they are picked to go off the bench or get a rare start they have always taken it. Richards most recent performance at sale was really top notch. Staddon in Europe has looked the real deal. Sela Tuipolotu TCS Hennessey all taken to the games well.

Quote:

HK890
Not enough credit being given to Andy Robinson imo. Bath are in such a good position with both the prem cup and management of the senior academy. Bath are really the only side that has taken this tournament how it should be and played a developing side every game. This week we saw almost all other prem sides putting out their strongest side in order to make sure they make the QF. Meanwhile bath sit top of the pool with almost and entirely Bath academy + graduate team.
Bears will almost certainly go full strength so that will be an almighty ask. But I hope we stick with the squad that has done so well.

The level that the academy is at right now is higher than I remember for a long time. So many playing champ rugby. Also in a position when they are picked to go off the bench or get a rare start they have always taken it. Richards most recent performance at sale was really top notch. Staddon in Europe has looked the real deal. Sela Tuipolotu TCS Hennessey all taken to the games well.

Well said.

Quote:

Charlieboa1

Quote:

BathMatt53
Looked like a knee meniscus tear or ligament to me - popped when he changed direction stepping a player? That poor lad has zero luck with injuries.

Any kind of ballpark prognosis on that kind of injury matt?

Season ender?

No idea Charlie but if it is structural damage there aren't too many months left in the season to recover from it...lets hope for his sake that it isn't.

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

Got to feel for Harris, the fact he went down without another player anywhere near him feels ominous.

It also highlights how thin Bath are at 15, at the start of the season I'm sure JvG would have been planning to give a fair amount of gametime to Harris to ensure TdG didn't become fatigued, we've been fortunate that Tom has been so consistent.

On a positive note, as others have mentioned, Donoghue looked really exciting, and McConnochie has performed well when called upon, so that gives me some comfort that Harris' injury won't be felt too acutely.

Disappointing not to see anyone being sacked or let go following that bonus point victory by our unbeaten Prem Cup squad.

2024/25 adoptee: Guy Pepper

Quote:

dr.bath1865
Disappointing not to see anyone being sacked or let go following that bonus point victory by our unbeaten Prem Cup squad.

Agree Dr Bath, I'm hoping they are delaying the announcement because they have just decided to sack everyone. Players, the Farleigh cooks, the lot. Then once Bruce has sacked them all he will sack himself...and that's too good for them.

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

A really good weekend for academy & junior players. Solid victory in Prem Cup, good representation in the U20s and a victory for the U18s.

Yes - the performance against Bedford could have been slicker but we shouldn't downplay the value of playing, and winning, against a highly motivated Championship team.

As ever building development pipelines and instilling the right processes, culture and leadership takes time and the solid work done by Danny G as well as the partnership with Beechen Cliff is paying out. Congrats to all in the rugby development team at Bath.

Bedford players also stopped playing and brought it to the ref's attention

FWIW what I saw was a young, clearly talented side that had not had any real game time together playing against an experienced well established top Championship team

We got off to a very good start despite a few wobbles in passing/handling that could have put us even further ahead in first half. I put that down to trying to make the transition from training ground to a high speed, high competitive real game

Bedford then came back, played some great rugby. Things worked and stuck like exceptional offloads probably because they were more used to playing with each other week in-week out. The Bath lads lost some momentum and probably some confidence and got into bit of a hole that could have gone horribly wrong

During that spell at least 3 tries went begging that with more game time together may well have been scored and game put to bed

But it didn't go horribly wrong. They didn't panic. They worked out how to wrestle back control and in the end won with a bit to spare

Some of that was down to a couple of the replacements and no doubt Stewart was instrumental in a lot of that. Some of it I think was also due to superior fitness in the last 10 mins but also credit to essentially a group of young guys working it out for themselves and getting a big, important 5 point win

A couple of disappointments certainly. Bailey really should have been showing some Prem class and controlling the game better. He has done that in Prem games but maybe that's the influence of the likes of Spencer and Redpath either side of him. A few surprising missed tackles that led to Bedford scores. Emens had a howler that really questions whether he has what it takes and you do think it unlikely this squad can go all the way and get to the final

But give them the chance. It is the only way to find out and if they did it then what an amazing thing that would be

Here is the difference Bedford players are halfway through a days work today, Bath's players will have had a lie in or on their second cappuccino!


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

After very heavy wins v Ampthill & Bristol a testing game like that could prove really useful for this squad's development. You learn much more about yourselves and about improving from close matches and defeats than from easy wins.

Our lads were giving aWay a lot of poundage and experience up front, so I agree with gaz.

PG

Quote:

Never In Doubt
As ever building development pipelines and instilling the right processes, culture and leadership takes time and the solid work done by Danny G as well as the partnership with Beechen Cliff is paying out. Congrats to all in the rugby development team at Bath.

Danny G? (Assume thats not Grewcock the Bristol Acad coach?) or do you mean structural things he put in place back in the mid teens (2016 to Oundle I think?)

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:02:03:11:40:06 by BathMatt53.

Quote:

P G Tips
After very heavy wins v Ampthill & Bristol a testing game like that could prove really useful for this squad's development. You learn much more about yourselves and about improving from close matches and defeats than from easy wins.
Our lads were giving aWay a lot of poundage and experience up front, so I agree with gaz.

PG

And one other thing I noted was the Bedford guys interviewed said how the constant physicality and line speed of our lads was a big step up from the championship

So yep, totally with you PG about the value of keeping this squad together including the coaching team

Quote:

Charlieboa1
Is garside alfie from bath uni?
Always looked a decent player.

Recall Flats said he was known as the King of the Student Uni because he never bought a drink 🤣

Quote:

gaz59

Quote:

Charlieboa1
Is garside alfie from bath uni?
Always looked a decent player.

Recall Flats said he was known as the King of the Student Uni because he never bought a drink 🤣

Flats would know that sort of detail! he did a Master's degree Sports and Exercise 2020 - 2024 a bit of a rock for the Uni, covered a host of positions in the backs and an organiser and leader. Lovely bloke who has time for a chat.


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

Quote:

BathMatt53

Quote:

Never In Doubt
As ever building development pipelines and instilling the right processes, culture and leadership takes time and the solid work done by Danny G as well as the partnership with Beechen Cliff is paying out. Congrats to all in the rugby development team at Bath.

Danny G? (Assume thats not Grewcock the Bristol Acad coach?) or do you mean structural things he put in place back in the mid teens (2016 to Oundle I think?)

The structural stuff and a more professional approach to the development infrastructure. My point is that it takes a long time to build a really good academy with the right coaches and partnerships.

Only just discovered that highest ranking club gets home game all the way including the final

Gives the Briz game a big significance

I suspect Bristol will go full bore for this and Bath will stick with similar team selection, I'm actually OK with that policy. You do wonder if we can resist adding senior players if we go long in this tournament though?


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

Quote:

Hugh Jarse
SW.
sack half the 2nd 1XV side & ex Bath and England manager. Yes
Get a young dynamic coach for seconds. Yes
Appreciate we don’t have a plan B fly half. Yes
Understand the club as a whole we lack the dog to win final’s currently.Yes
Appreciate we have come a long way since Hooperman. Definitely a huge YES

It is odd how some posters write to provoke a reaction. Not sure why, maybe too much beer at the game or some long standing grievance they are trying to get over.
It won't gain any attention from the young players who are striving to make a career and deserve respect whether they win or lose.

Quote:

B4thB4ck

Quote:

Hugh Jarse
SW.
sack half the 2nd 1XV side & ex Bath and England manager. Yes
Get a young dynamic coach for seconds. Yes
Appreciate we don’t have a plan B fly half. Yes
Understand the club as a whole we lack the dog to win final’s currently.Yes
Appreciate we have come a long way since Hooperman. Definitely a huge YES

It is odd how some posters write to provoke a reaction. Not sure why, maybe too much beer at the game or some long standing grievance they are trying to get over.
It won't gain any attention from the young players who are striving to make a career and deserve respect whether they win or lose.

Think the clue about the seriousness of the contribution was all in the poster name

Quote:

shipwrecked
I suspect Bristol will go full bore for this and Bath will stick with similar team selection, I'm actually OK with that policy. You do wonder if we can resist adding senior players if we go long in this tournament though?

I am also happy to stick with the team, invaluable experience for some of these lads playing in front of 10,000+ in a 1st team cup game. Understand of course that the 1st 23 (those not on holiday) may need a run out at some point before the league restarts, but whatever JVG and his coaching team goes with is good with me.

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

Bedford were good.....as we expected

Bath got ahead and I think my have relaxed.

Some of the precision went and Bedford exploited the gaps.

Very, very sorry about the latest injury for Sam Harris. However it is worth pointing out that the first four passes to him were dropped/inaccurate.

It is a classic thing that the only way to get experience is by playing 3, 5 10 games.......only after a number of games will a young inexperienced player get used to the pace, intensity and scrutiny at a higher level.

So a young player will find the Bath United games a big step up, they get used to that and then find playing for the first team another big step up........then playing a European game is another challenge ......and then for the very lucky few playing for England is another massive step up.

One of England's problems is because we have so many players we pick them when they perform in the Premiership and then ditch them after a couple of games and choose the next one. Scotland, Wales and Ireland have a smaller playing base and so have to nurture their players.

We need to do the same!

I would be happy for one or two senior players returning from injury to turn out v Bristol- Sam U, Guy Pepper, Cam Redpath if fit in time. That would get them up to speed for the premiership return and permit them to take part in the knockout rounds, where opponents may well go full strength.

PG

They haven't got much time:- [www.somersetlive.co.uk]