Faletau: return

By P G Tips
January 9 2019

Both sides will be looking for a boost to morale in Saturday’s European dead rubber between Bath and Wasps.  Neither has anything to play for in Europe and both are in real need of a lift to power their domestic seasons. While Bath were conspiring to throw away a 16-point lead last Saturday, Wasps grabbed only their second win in all tournaments since September. Confidence will be on the up in the Wasps camp, while Bath enjoy home advantage so which will end the day in smiles?

Wasps’ revival was given a shot in the arm by the return of 3 iconic players- Launchbury, Hughes and Robson and the improved form of the so far inconsistent Sopoaga. Those four brought renewed leadership, experience, go-forward and control to help Wasps edge their match with Saints- even if the final score owed much to fortune. Bath meanwhile were rueing their fortune – no generosity from officials for them- but whatever the details of the offences, cards and refereeing controversy, it was their own lacklustre showing in the second half that proved their undoing.  Mid table is so tight that these contrasting results brought significant short term moves- Wasps evaded the relegation zone to rise to 6^th while Bath squandered a chance of 4^th and slipped down to 8^th.

Seeking small crumbs of comfort Bath know that they can breach the Wasps defence as they have 7 times already this season, that their visitors’ defence is more porous and that on the last encounter they disrupted the lineout on which many of Wasps attacking moves are based. The return of Launchbury and Hughes will make that task tougher, so fans will hope for a strong showing from Attwood, Stooke and Ewels.

With European hopes gone both clubs could be excused for looking ahead to the return of Premiership action in mid February. Selections will be constrained not just by injuries and international considerations but also by Champions Cup registration. Within those restrictions coaches may choose to rotate and experiment in preparation for more pressing Premiership fixtures. Wasps have already sent Elliott Daly on his week’s obligatory EPC rest, but their match 23 should still contain many familiar names. As well as a backline full of flair, Bath must beware the visitors’ back row – Shields and Young made 30 tackles between them against Saints – without missing one. Their potency in turnover, allied to Hughes and Carr’s carrying ability should pose a major threat.

Tom Ellis’s injury last week, hard on the heels of one to Sam Underhill, leaves Bath’s loose forward resources stretched. Paul Grant is not registered for Europe, so Taulupe Faletau’s expected return is good news for fans. He is likely to join Louw and Mercer, or Levi Douglas may get the call to vary selection. Ross Batty’s three week ban suggests a start for Jack Walker while Henry Thomas should be rested to keep him fresh for later matches. Jackson Willison and Tom Homer are both fit and may get a start.

Whatever the selection Bath cannot afford another slip or loss of intensity like last week. In a nip and tuck season poor performance and disappointing results tend to become a habit, while determination, focus and consistency eventually get their reward. Bath need to improve their discipline, take every scoring chance and play with intensity for the full 80 (or even 90) minutes. They could also do with a little luck – but that is out of their hands. If, in front of a home crowd, they can deliver those things that are in their own control, and perform as they did against Leicester they can win, rebuild dented pride and move on.

Possible Teams:
Bath:V Rooyen, Walker, Perenise, Attwood, Charteris, Mercer, Louw, Faletau Chudley (Capt.), Priestland, Vuna, Wilson, Willison, Rokodoguni. Homer.

Replacements: Noguera, V Vuuren, Lahiff, Stooke, Bayliss, Green, Burns, Brew.

Wasps: Zhvania, Cruse, Cooper-Woolley; Launchbury (Capt.), Rowlands; Shields, Young, Hughes. Robson, Sopoaga. Bassett, De Jongh, Campagnaro, Watson. Le Roux.

Replacements: Harris, Harris, Stuart, Myall, Carr. Hampson, Searle, Lovobalavu

Morale Boost? Bath v Wasps -TEAM UP!

Discussion started by Comeonmylovers.co.uk (IP Logged), 09/01/2019 07:26

Comeonmylovers.co.uk
09/01/2019 07:26

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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2019:01:16:10:17:15 by P G Tips.

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Clarkey3k
09/01/2019 08:53

An opportunity to rest and rotate this weekend so a couple of other changes for me; Bayliss for Flow & Cook for Chudley. Thanks PGT...

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

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

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

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BathMatt53
09/01/2019 10:08

I would have Levi Douglas in there somewhere - he has looked good whenever I have seen him this year.

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

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Rawce
09/01/2019 12:03

When it comes to selection, would we and Wasps enter some kind of agreement that we'll give as much game time to those who've not played much so far this season (but are registered)?

Or will we go for the momentum/feel good factor of a win approach?

Actually, the Wasps injuries may effectively pick their team and we adjust accordingly.

I'm going for a mixed balance of the above with a win not guaranteed, but very useful considering how our season has gone so far.

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BathMatt53
10/01/2019 11:41

[www.somersetlive.co.uk]

What Todd Blackadder wants from Bath Rugby's dead rubbers

"We want to give guys opportunities, continue to grow and be better so that a lot of the basics are embedded well before we have a break (January 26-27).

"The next two games are about creating and confirming what our DNA is. Then we want to freshen up and have a really good break, send the guys away from each other.

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2019:01:10:11:41:35 by BathMatt53.

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Rawce
10/01/2019 12:44

Also says we'll be hitting Glaws in the cup hard I guess to build momentum.

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Optimist
10/01/2019 15:26

Give Attwood, Stooke and Louw a rest IMO - just no point in risking them. Mercer could use a bit of game time. Start Cook or Green rather than Chudley. Give Roko a rest - he looks like he could do with a bit of time to work on his conditioning without the risk of injury.

I would have thought that we could play a 2nd team for this game without attracting any sort of opprobrium, but the following week against Toulouse we might be a bit more under the microscope given that our result could impact on final standing of Toulouse/Leinster.

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Bath Hammer
11/01/2019 11:11

I have to admit to some disinterest in this game, even more so than for a pre-season friendly when you are full of anticipation & optimism. The 3 main aims would seem to be :- (1) avoid injuries - if possible (2) play with structure & fluency (3) protect vital players (4) win.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2019:01:11:11:12:36 by Bath Hammer.

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abendanon-anon-anon
11/01/2019 11:18

Tricky one to predict - what do both teams want out of the game. As Bath Hammer, I don't think either will be throwing the kitchen sink at it. Launchbury, Hughes, Daly & Robson will want to put themselves in the shop window for the up coming 6Ns as will Faletau and Mercer for Bath

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Eastbath
11/01/2019 12:01

15. Darren Atkins

14. Tom Homer

13. Max Clark

12. Max Wright

11. Aled Brew

10. Rhys Priestland

9. Max Green

1. Jacques van Rooyen

2. Jack Walker

3. Max Lahiff

4. Elliott Stooke

5. Luke Charteris (c)

6. Taulupe Faletau

7. Josh Bayliss

8. Zach Mercer

Replacements

16. Michael van Vuuren

17. Lucas Noguera

18. Sam Nixon

19. Dave Attwood

20. Francois Louw

21. Chris Cook

22. Alex Davies

23. Jackson Willison

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Optimist
11/01/2019 12:04

Zhvania
Cruse
Stuart
Launchbury
Rowlands
Shields
Young
Hughes
Robson
Sopoaga
De Jongh
Campagnaro
Bassett
Neal
Miller


.... we are going to get absolutely humped!

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P G Tips
11/01/2019 12:05

Good to see Faletau back.

Fair bit of rotation - let's also see what Homer, Clark, Green, Cook, Bayliss and Noguera have to offer.

PG

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bathwickboy
11/01/2019 12:06

Wasps team to face Bath Rugby at The Rec on Saturday 12 January (kick-off 3.15pm)

Wasps (First-team appearances)
15 Rob Miller (92)
14 Ross Neal (8)
13 Michele Campagnaro (4)
12 Juan de Jongh (37)
11 Josh Bassett (92)
10 Lima Sopoaga (15)
9 Dan Robson (93)
1 Zurabi Zhvania (14)
2 Tom Cruse (50)
3 Will Stuart (23)
4 Joe Launchbury (c) (133)
5 Will Rowlands (64)
6 Brad Shields (8)
7 Thomas Young (101)
8 Nathan Hughes (117)

Replacements
16 Antonio Harris (13)
17 Ben Harris (35)
18 Jake Cooper-Woolley (122)
19 Charlie Matthews (8)
20 Nizaam Carr (24)
21 Craig Hampson (26)
22 Billy Searle (9)
23 Gaby Lovobalavu (2

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bathwickboy
11/01/2019 12:07

Ooops apologies, did not notice that Wasps team was already posted above.

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P G Tips
11/01/2019 12:09

They are obviously taking it seriously!

PG

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Optimist
11/01/2019 12:09

I mean, it's a pretty decent side (on paper - usual caveat) for a 2nd XV, excepting Faletau and Mercer.

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ballsout
11/01/2019 12:11

Long day ahead

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BathMatt53
11/01/2019 12:24

Meh. As long as they enjoy themselves, that's the main thing.

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

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Rokoholic
11/01/2019 12:26

I wonder why they’ve fielded such a strong team? Perhaps Robson, Launchbury, Shields, Young & Hughes habe asked for final auditions ahead of 6N squad announcements.

I actually think it will be a pretty even game. You would hope a lot of our XV will be chomping at the bit.

Will be good to see Stuart play if it’s true we’re looking to sign him!

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guernseyfan
11/01/2019 12:31

Is this team at Peak Max?

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Optimist
11/01/2019 12:32

Robson, Launchbury & Hughes have missed quite a bit of rugby, so it's perfect opportunity for them.

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fat lock
11/01/2019 12:36

Wasps are desperate for some form to try and stop their slide down the table. They need to build on their Saints win.
I think it's momentum for them. High risk - if our rotated squad beat them, then they could lose any feel good feeling after Saints

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Bath Hammer
11/01/2019 12:37

No’s. 1,3,10,13,14 & 15 have not really distinguished themselves for us this season, in some cases due to injury, so we need more impressive performances from those players in particular to make a game of it. Not many weaknesses in the Wasps lineup despite their unimpressive season to date & some quality returners.

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Beergoggles
11/01/2019 13:04

Decent enough side for a dead rubber.

Out of interest why have we started converting these one off match related threads into Stickies? I'm not a fan of stickies but I see the benefit for information that you might want to routinely return through during the season (i.e injuries list). Match threads should surely just come .. and then go ....

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sid the seagull
11/01/2019 13:11

Charidee

HOP

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OutsideBath
11/01/2019 13:38

Bath don't play well under pressure, but as this is a totally meaningless game I expect the team to perform well. Still don't expect to win though.

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TG Kesmo
11/01/2019 13:50

Don’t understand Atkins at 15 and Homer at 14 would prefer the other way round. Homer gives more in attack from fullback

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ballsout
11/01/2019 14:15

Not a fan of stickied threads, I actually miss them more than I do normal ones.

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Rawce
11/01/2019 14:32

I'm surprised Wasps are playing such a full strength team. Lose any to injury or 6N over the next 2/3 and they could be going into crunch Premiership time under baked?

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Optimist
11/01/2019 15:10

Quote:

ballsout
Not a fan of stickied threads, I actually miss them more than I do normal ones.

Ahem ... note to eds.

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shipwrecked
11/01/2019 15:18

Quote:

Optimist

Quote:

ballsout
Not a fan of stickied threads, I actually miss them more than I do normal ones.

Ahem ... note to eds.

Being done for financial reasons, we will soon get used to it.


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

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BathMatt53
11/01/2019 15:28

It’s certainly a massive hassle to have to raise your eyeballs 3 degrees to the stickied post 3 up. Personally I like to raise my chin slightly.

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

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hemington
11/01/2019 15:29

I have no problem with it at all and if its raising money for charity and keeping the site going and giving PG more motivation to write his brilliant previews then it can only be a massive bonus. What's not to like?

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ballsout
11/01/2019 15:50

There's no problem with putting the team in this thread, and no one even suggested there was one. I said I often miss sticky threads because my eyes have been trained to ignore them.

It isn't a case of it being a "hassle to raise my eyeballs 3 degrees up", just that I often miss the threads.

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CoochieCoo
11/01/2019 16:12

Cue Match thread be made a sticky when we lose!

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Optimist
11/01/2019 16:35

... and maybe when we win. And, draw ... ?

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CoochieCoo
11/01/2019 16:38

...not so many repetitive posts when we win! Good point on a draw!!

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Clarkey3k
11/01/2019 16:40

Oddschecker betting site has Bath by a whisker, I posted a similar phrase last week...

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

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

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

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BathMatt53
11/01/2019 16:47

I know that we shouldn’t say it as they are all professionals etc. But I suspect that it will come down to pressure off vs ‘who wants it more’. Would be nice if they both just chucked it around like a baa-baas game to entertain the crowd, but I very much doubt it.

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

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Susanne
11/01/2019 17:33

Do we know what w who we have as ref?

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OutsideBath
11/01/2019 17:39

Quote:

Susanne
Do we know what w who we have as ref?

Ben Whitehouse

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Rawce
11/01/2019 18:36

Wasps have let go of Mullan (injured since Feb) and Ambrose Curtis today (only 1 appearance in the Prem Cup).

Dai'll have to get his boots back on at this rate. Finances are the issue I'm assuming?

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Jack9909
11/01/2019 19:01

Quote:

Rawce
Wasps have let go of Mullan (injured since Feb) and Ambrose Curtis today (only 1 appearance in the Prem Cup).
Dai'll have to get his boots back on at this rate. Finances are the issue I'm assuming?

Wasp in peace just checking the match thread ahead of this weekend as our site is down (again)!

Curtis hasn't played a minute of Prem rugby yet and doesn't seem to have settled, has grown himself a deal in French D2, presumably for more game time.

Mullan is an interesting one, couldn't tell you the last time he actually played for us due to injuries so would guess it's more due to that than finances, although it will undoubtedly free up space in the cap as his last contract was signed as club co-captain.

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welsh wasp
11/01/2019 19:19

A pity about Mullen but he has been injured since before the season started. At 31, he may have decided he wants to move on to other things. He's been a very good player.

Re the strength,hopefully, we need to get people like Launchbury & Robson back playing with the team, hopefully without any further injuries.

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Rawce
12/01/2019 10:40

I guess it all depends on who you get back in to replace those leaving.

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gaz59
13/01/2019 22:11

Quote:

Clarkey3k
Oddschecker betting site has Bath by a whisker, I posted a similar phrase last week...

Bookies eh, what do they know?

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