EVERYTHING ON SALE

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theredseat
Obano
Dunn
Sela
Roux
Ewels
Hill
Underhill
Reid
Spencer
Ojomoh
Arundell
Redpath
Lawrence
Cokanasiga
de Glanville

Frost
van Wyk
Griffin
Molony
Pepper
Carr-Smith
Harris
Barbeary (if fit - Bayliss if not)

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Ali1969
This match appears to be tailor made for Sam Underhill to get in George Ford's face and close his space down.

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boozeboozebooze
Just checked the forecast for Friday, looks like Sale will be bringing the North West weather down with them...
Winning in those kind of conditions is built on defence, so I'd actually be tempted to bring Harris into the starting XV given his tackling prowess. Also further strengthens the case for fielding an Underhill/Hill/Barbeary back row, every inch we can get over the gainline will be vital.

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OutsideBath
With that forecast it’s definitely a game for the forwards, unfortunately Sale can match us in that department. Not ideal to be playing Sale without a recognised 10 either.

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jayeatman

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OutsideBath
With that forecast it’s definitely a game for the forwards, unfortunately Sale can match us in that department. Not ideal to be playing Sale without a recognised 10 either.

Ever the pessimist.

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Rokobilly
Met Office forecast a bit more optimistic than the one above. I hope its right, mainly because I sit in the Dyson!

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dr.bath1865
I remember the 0-16 loss to London Irish (did Bendy get charged down?) being the coldest, wettest and most miserable I've ever felt at the Rec. Think I stayed to hear the final whistle, but I may have heard it from Great Pulteney Street.

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OutsideBath

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jayeatman

Ever the pessimist.

I don’t think it’s a pessimistic view, as far as I’m aware Sale have a very good pack and as we aren’t at full strength in that department they can match us.

Surely you agree that playing without a recognised 10 isn’t ideal?

Not saying we can’t win, but if we are to win our forwards will need a 10/10 performance.

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OutsideBath
Does feel like we have a threadbare squad so playing away to a team that will be fired up suggests to me that a LBP will be a good result.

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shipwrecked

That a strong back 3 , front 3 and half backs. Difficult fixture!

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Bath Supporter Jack
Also Josh Bayliss not in the team and not on the bench......injured?
Or just too many good players who have to get game time?

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Francis Allen
No Chris Harris in the squad. Is that a sign they want him fit to face Gloucester next week? Very pleased to see Miles has a second half replacement, he was brilliant last week but tough doing that again for 80 minutes. Looking forward to seeing Alfie in a Bath shirt again, Still can't forget his appearance during that wonderful weekend in June !

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dr.bath1865
I remember the 0-16 loss to London Irish (did Bendy get charged down?) being the coldest, wettest and most miserable I've ever felt at the Rec. Think I stayed to hear the final whistle, but I may have heard it from Great Pulteney Street.

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theredseat
with Finn (and Santi) back next week

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BathMatt53

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theredseat
with Finn (and Santi) back next week

Surely we won't see Carreras in a Bath shirt next week? He plays Saturday 4th Oct and then will be playing Wales on 9th November - I would prefer him to have a bit of a rest tbh, he can't have had much time off since last season?

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Charlieboa1
More confident after seeing the respective squads but ford pulling the strings and roebuck chasing high balls will be problematic for us.
Muir is a big miss.

Huge ask of mojo to run the show on a nasty eve of weather when the pack won't have it all their way.

May well need the bang off the bench to pull us through.

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gaz59
The predicted conditions will make it a massive test of Ojomoh's transition to 10

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Widcombe boy
The Ariel game wasn’t great last week and Arundell was exposed. We will definitely miss the horse. Maybe JVG will drop Ted Hill back as he’s great in the air?

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Widcombe boy

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Charlieboa1
More confident after seeing the respective squads but ford pulling the strings and roebuck chasing high balls will be problematic for us.
Muir is a big miss.

Huge ask of mojo to run the show on a nasty eve of weather when the pack won't have it all their way.

May well need the bang off the bench to pull us through.

Agree Ford can be a maestro in those conditions, and for a change we will not rule the skies..I also hope that the strong bench will pull us through

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OutsideBath

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Widcombe boy

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Charlieboa1
More confident after seeing the respective squads but ford pulling the strings and roebuck chasing high balls will be problematic for us.
Muir is a big miss.

Huge ask of mojo to run the show on a nasty eve of weather when the pack won't have it all their way.

May well need the bang off the bench to pull us through.

Agree Ford can be a maestro in those conditions, and for a change we will not rule the skies..I also hope that the strong bench will pull us through

Ford's dislike for Bath seems to inspire him whenever he plays us, he will no doubt have a good game. If we win this game it will be on the basis of a top notch performance by our forwards.

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Optimist
.... also - for the first time in a long time, we can feel confident that the Rec crowd will be a genuine '16th' player this evening. Friday night lights are a bit more uninhibited than Saturdays, and the general goodwill towards the team and the club should shine through this evening. Looking forward to a proper ding-dong!

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dr.bath1865
Expect Spencer to kick EVERYTHING in the air and de Glanville to perhaps step in at 10 to kick long from 10 if need be, as he seems to have a decent length on his boot. Ford will target JCok and Arundell, especially with Carpenter and Roebuck in pursuit. It'll be a difficult night for all players under the high ball, so I'd expect that to be an area where mistakes are made and Sale might gain a little ascendancy. As long as we're on top at the resulting set pieces, we'll be alright.
The claim that Arundell needs to work on his basics is fair, but he's only 22. His explosion onto the scene in his teens seems to have created a stick to beat him with. Of course, he's not the finished article- few players are at his age. He might drop high balls, and we know how Borthwick prefers a workhorse Freeman/Muir-type winger, but I'd prefer to focus on what Arundell can do at his age (which is uncoachable) rather than the bits that he'll develop between now and his mid-20s/peak.

He's the same age as IFW, I'd argue with equally good attacking games (Arundell might even be quicker) but IFW doesn't get slated as much for his less than perfect skill under the high ball (IFW, like PBB at Exe, seems to be a flapper, which won't work long term internationally!). For some reason, perhaps linked to the pre 23 RWC malaise and the 5 tries v Chile (not his fault they were walk ins) Arundell gets a lot more stick. I've heard how some think he's over hyped- maybe, but that's not his fault. Just give him time, let him make some mistakes in defence, but celebrate a great young talent in attack. He's still so young, which seems to get forgotten.

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Toast and Marmite
Think Sela needs to be pulled

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BathMatt53
I think that WGJ will be cited for that and get a ban.

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Barfboy
I think we all agree it's going to be a kick-fest tonight and I'm sure Ojomoh will have been primed for this all week. It'll be tough, but there's no better 9 in world rugby for a makeshift 10 to be playing alongside.
Fully expect Spencer to step up tonight. If he goes well and is allowed to influence the game in the way we know he can, I think we'll have just about enough.

Bench, again, looks to be a bit stronger than the oppo, which will also be crucial.

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P G Tips

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BathMatt53
I think that WGJ will be cited for that and get a ban.

He should not have been in position to commit the second foul. Should have been carded for the first.

PG

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P G Tips

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BathMatt53
I think that WGJ will be cited for that and get a ban.

He should not have been in position to commit the second foul. Should have been carded for the first.

PG

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JK7
Mojo plays with a permanent smile on his face - fun to watch.

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OutsideBath
Not sure what happened with our linout, it started off quite well then went to pieces in the second half.

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annie blackthorn
Good old fashioned rugby, ignore the weather and just get on with it.
Two things stick in my mind, apart from the stoic East Stand and terraces support, Ford's long distance kick, and the last try. p.s. an evening of weather when I don't regret not being there. Do as been said, hope that the injuries are soon mended and not season ending?

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Optimist
Don’t think I’ve ever shouted ‘take the points’ as often as that at any rugby match in my life!

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shipwrecked

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OutsideBath
Not sure what happened with our linout, it started off quite well then went to pieces in the second half.

Ewels going off then Roux's injury would mess that up but the wind was a big factor. Jibulu didn't throw anything straight.

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OutsideBath

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shipwrecked

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OutsideBath
Not sure what happened with our linout, it started off quite well then went to pieces in the second half.

Ewels going off then Roux's injury would mess that up but the wind was a big factor. Jibulu didn't throw anything straight.

Was it windy?, next you'll be telling me it was raining...

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Charlieboa1
I think the key is we have the options of stuart and tdt back for the next few weeks. You can afford a slightly depowered engine room with those guys locking the scrum out.

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boozeboozebooze

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Charlieboa1
I think the key is we have the options of stuart and tdt back for the next few weeks. You can afford a slightly depowered engine room with those guys locking the scrum out.

This was exactly my thought when running through the second row options, Richards and Maloney would still be a great combination, and I think with either of those 2 at TH, you could afford to play one of our taller, more athletic back rowers at lock, Bayliss or Staddon springs to mind.

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Charlieboa1
Personally i would just trust jeanes or cuckson on the bench if needed SW.
In an otherwise strong pack I think they would be fine.

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BathMatt53
Personally I haven’t seen anything from Cuckson that makes me think he is even close to being ready for regular Premiership rugby. Just my opinion of course. I would leave him to mature at Worcs for the season, even with a locks mini crisis. I think that Staddon has also covered lock? (May have dreamed that one).

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Dorset Boy
On the first, his right arm was clearly tucked in and he led with his shoulder. Minimum should have been yellow.
Given he got away with that one, though penalised, that he repeated the action with force later should have meant a straight red.

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shipwrecked

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OutsideBath

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shipwrecked

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OutsideBath
Not sure what happened with our linout, it started off quite well then went to pieces in the second half.

Ewels going off then Roux's injury would mess that up but the wind was a big factor. Jibulu didn't throw anything straight.

Was it windy?, next you'll be telling me it was raining...

I think it was rains as well OB

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shipwrecked

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BathMatt53
Personally I haven’t seen anything from Cuckson that makes me think he is even close to being ready for regular Premiership rugby. Just my opinion of course. I would leave him to mature at Worcs for the season, even with a locks mini crisis. I think that Staddon has also covered lock? (May have dreamed that one).

According to 'All Rugby' he hasn't started at lock, always been 6 or 7 may have done so as a sub though.
I sort of agree re Cuckson but he hasn't been a disaster still only 21 and a specialist lock so might be worth finding out in the odd game but you are right not week in week out.

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shipwrecked
I didn't make it up!
Did play at lock at u18.

Staddon is joined at lock by Freddie Thomas, while Harry Taylor comes into the back row.

Interesting side that one!

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OutsideBath
If any of the injuries at lock are serious and long term would JvG go to the transfer market for a medical replacement?

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hasta

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OutsideBath
If any of the injuries at lock are serious and long term would JvG go to the transfer market for a medical replacement?

Particularly if it's two of them yes you'd imagine. If it's one medium term I think it's focus on Richards/Jeanes. I don't know the injury replacement deal with Harris given Lawrence is back.

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theredseat

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hasta

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OutsideBath
If any of the injuries at lock are serious and long term would JvG go to the transfer market for a medical replacement?

Particularly if it's two of them yes you'd imagine. If it's one medium term I think it's focus on Richards/Jeanes. I don't know the injury replacement deal with Harris given Lawrence is back.

I think we can spend up to £400k on injury replacements so even if Harris is on half of that there should be space to bring in someone decent if needed

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Susanne

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theredseat

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hasta

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OutsideBath
If any of the injuries at lock are serious and long term would JvG go to the transfer market for a medical replacement?

Particularly if it's two of them yes you'd imagine. If it's one medium term I think it's focus on Richards/Jeanes. I don't know the injury replacement deal with Harris given Lawrence is back.

I think we can spend up to £400k on injury replacements so even if Harris is on half of that there should be space to bring in someone decent if needed

What's the position on Harris using joker money, given that Ollie is back faster than expected?

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tigersimon
But OL wasn’t injured for 8 weeks of this season!
JVG wouldn’t publicly explain the situation when asked!

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dcsh
So Ollie’s situation seems to fulfil the criteria for having injury cover.

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jayeatman

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dcsh
So Ollie’s situation seems to fulfil the criteria for having injury cover.

Great.
But it is a bit bonkers.

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BathMatt53

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jayeatman

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dcsh
So Ollie’s situation seems to fulfil the criteria for having injury cover.

Great.
But it is a bit bonkers.

Agree - the first prem game is never within the first 8 weeks of 1st July is it? first game was 30th Sept 2023, then 20th Sept 2024. So as long as your player misses the little cup games they are fine...

..then of course assuming that you haven't used up all of the credit for the previous year I assume you can split it across seasons?

Bath haven't done anything wrong but I with jayeatman - seems bonkers.

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dcsh

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BathMatt53

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jayeatman

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dcsh
So Ollie’s situation seems to fulfil the criteria for having injury cover.

Great.
But it is a bit bonkers.

Agree - the first prem game is never within the first 8 weeks of 1st July is it? first game was 30th Sept 2023, then 20th Sept 2024. So as long as your player misses the little cup games they are fine...

..then of course assuming that you haven't used up all of the credit for the previous year I assume you can split it across seasons?

Bath haven't done anything wrong but I with jayeatman - seems bonkers.

It certainly has turned out to look strange, but let’s remember that when Ollie got injured it was expected that he could back towards the end of 2025 or the start of 2026. It could not be counted on that he would recover in such an incredible time, so forward planning of a replacement needed to take place.

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jayeatman
Absolutely, I think Harris was the perfect decision as injury cover.
The bonkers bit is that we can still claim his salary under injury dispensation despite Ollie being fit.

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The Bear

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jayeatman
Absolutely, I think Harris was the perfect decision as injury cover.
The bonkers bit is that we can still claim his salary under injury dispensation despite Ollie being fit.

There is a desire that players have some degree of certainty that they will have a playing contract for a minimum period of time. So, even if someone returns sooner, we don't 'kick them to the street'.

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Benisjammin
*** Rant Alert ***
Is anybody else slightly irritated by a lot of journalists and podcasters waxing lyrical about George Ford's 'masterclass' at the Rec? As good as he is in general and as impressive a bit of skill those drop goals were, if it was truly a masterclass why did Sale only score 3 points on 3 of their opportunities and 7 on one whilst Bath scored 7 on all 4 that they took? Sale supposedly had a slight advantage upfront and supposedly had a great rolling maul - not kicking for touch is criminal game mismanagement in the first half. Suppose instead of kicking the penalty which missed but led to the second drop goal they had scored from the lineout - 14-11 or 14-13 is much better than 14-9. Heaps more pressure on Bath. If we want to talk about tactical masterclasses we should look at Ben Spencer’s performance which rightly won MOTM and was the biggest difference between the sides.
(IMHO)
*** Rant over ***

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joethefanatic

Two players are allowed to play well at the same time.

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dcsh
Journalist are obsessed with the England No.10 position, so focus many stories around this, who should/shouldn’t be in the position. I’d expect many writing up Ford now are the same ones who wanted him out and Smith/Smith in previously…