mcConnochie: return?

By P G Tips
January 30 2019

Bath have a chance of cherrypicking, hosting Gloucester in the Premiership Rugby Cup at the Rec on Saturday. A derby victory in any competition is always welcome, but Bath’s hopes in the tournament are over and the focus is solely now on the Premiership. Todd Blackadder must therefore decide what team he wishes to field. Earlier this month he spoke of “going strong against Gloucester” to prepare for league challenges, so will Bath put out their strongest squad? And can fans expect a victory?

Gloucester themselves face a similar choice. They can qualify for the semi final round- but would need a bonus point win against Bath and results elsewhere to go their way. Currently they lie third of 3 sides vying for one remaining slot, with rivals Worcester and Newcastle arguably facing easier ties. Johan Ackermann will be running the rule over those returning from injury- forwards Hanson, Ackermann & Kriel, scrum half Heinz and utility back Marshall as well as considering Ollie Thorley- released by England. He too will have half an eye on the Premiership as the Cherry and Whites’ next pair of opponents could not be tougher – Exeter away, followed by Saracens at Kingsholm.

There is some good news on the injury front for Bath. Ruaridh McConnochie has recovered from his hamstring strain and is “ready for action”, while Charlie Ewels could be in consideration after absence through concussion. Nathan Catt “recovering well” from a shoulder niggle is unlikely to be risked though and should be held back for the Newcastle match on 16 February. Back row resources remain stretched so a front line trio of Louw, Mercer, Bayliss seems likely, with either Reid or Grant on the bench. Joe Cokanasiga has “not returned to fitness” in time to play for England, so will probably not be risked, similarly Jonathon Joseph if he is not needed by Eddie Jones.

Whatever selection Bath field, they will be looking to build on some improved performances. Recent victories over Leicester, Wasps (twice) and a gutsy showing away at Toulouse suggest an uplift, not only in playing fortunes, but intensity and ambition. While players had last week off, the coaching staff will have been taking stock, aiming to eradicate basic errors, tighten discipline and instil ruthlessness in finishing. Girvan Dempsey’s influence on attack has been more evident in recent weeks so they may have a few tricks to try out too.

Although the Premiership is the priority, this is the derby Bath most want to win. Bragging rights and the desire to silence the braying of the Cherry and White faithful should be all the motivation needed. Setting the tone for a determined assault on the Premiership ladder is vital too. Expect Bath to be fresh and firing: seeking a morale –boosting win.

Possible Teams:
Bath:V Rooyen, Dunn, Thomas Attwood, Charteris, Louw, Bayliss, Mercer, Chudley, Burns. McConnochie, Roberts, Willison, Rokodoguni. Homer

Replacements:Vaughan, Walker, Perenise, Stooke, Reid, Cook,

Priestland, Vuna,

Gloucester:Hohneck, Hanson, Balmain, Slater (Capt.), Grobler; Ackermann, Ludlow, Morgan. Braley, Cipriani. Banahan, Twelvetrees, Trinder, Sharples. Woodward.

Replacements: Marais, Rupava Ruskin, Dreyer, Mostert, Kriel, Vellacott, Hudson, Williams

Cherrypicking? Bath v Gloucester PRC. Team Up!

Discussion started by Comeonmylovers.co.uk (IP Logged), 30/01/2019 08:46

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30/01/2019 08:46

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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2019:02:12:17:08:33 by P G Tips.

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BathMatt53
30/01/2019 09:05

I think that JJ will play - he has been released to get his match fitness up I think? Looks like a nice crisp but dry avo on Saturday so looking forward to a fun afternoon of exciting rugby. COYB!

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

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P G Tips
01/02/2019 12:01

Team up- quite strong.

Bath Rugby team to face Gloucester Rugby

15. Tom Homer

14. Semesa Rokoduguni

13. Jonathan Joseph

12. Jamie Roberts

11. Ruaridh McConnochie

10. Rhys Priestland

9. Will Chudley (co-captain)

1. Jacques van Rooyen

2. Jack Walker

3. Max Lahiff

4. Dave Attwood

5. Luke Charteris (co-captain)

6. Elliott Stooke

7. Josh Bayliss

8. Paul Grant

Replacements:

16. Tom Dunn

17. Will Vaughan

18. Henry Thomas

19. Charlie Ewels

20. Miles Reid

21. Max Green

22. Freddie Burns

23. Jackson Willison

PG

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hasta
01/02/2019 12:02

Pretty, pretty strong!

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Danchinho
01/02/2019 12:09

Loads of height for the lineout!!!

Hope Miles Reid gets some game time. Like the look of him.

I probably don't know what i'm talking about.

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Optimist
01/02/2019 12:11

Priestland is leaving. He has, at best, been marginally better than Freddie, and often less good. Both of them have suffered from a lack of a run of games, consistent fitness and 9/10 pairing. Blackadder did much the same to Burns last year. I think he’s got it wrong by starting RP.

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hasta
01/02/2019 12:22

I basically agree Opti, I just don't think Blackadder trusts Freddie.

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Jonny Fantastic
01/02/2019 12:35

Gloucester team

15. Dom Coetzer
14. Matt Banahan
13. Henry Trinder
12. Tom Hudson
11. Jacob Morris
10. Lloyd Evans
9. Callum Braley
1. Alex Seville
2. Henry Walker
3. Ciaran Knight
4. Tom Savage
5. Alex Craig
6. Lewis Ludlow (capt)
7. Will Safe
8. Gareth Evans

Replacements:
16. Todd Gleave,
17. Paddy McAllister
18. Gareth Denman
19. Gerbrandt Grobler
20. Cam Terry
21. Charlie Chapman
22. Jack Reeves
23. Alex Morgan

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hemington
01/02/2019 12:36

Quote:

hasta
I basically agree Opti, I just don't think Blackadder trusts Freddie.

Maybe he is protecting Burns for the bigger games to come

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BathMatt53
01/02/2019 12:40

A squad team from Glos - we should be winning this one really, not that the result matters for us.

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

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Optimist
01/02/2019 13:25

Quote:

hemington

Quote:

hasta
I basically agree Opti, I just don't think Blackadder trusts Freddie.

Maybe he is protecting Burns for the bigger games to come

I can think of various reasons why Burns might not be starting - the above being one of them. It's just that I disagree with all of them (acknowledging the fact that nobody, least of all, TB, gives a sheet what I think).

Even if TB knows that FB is going to be second pick next season, he should still be investing game-time and confidence in him. If RP were clearly superior, it could possibly make sense, but there's practically no-one who sees him as unequivocally the better player, or the mastermind of any particular Bath triumphs.

This - along with the use of and timing of subs - seem (to me) to be quite concrete examples of TB weaknesses.

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Ken I L Worth
01/02/2019 14:31

Only one of that Gloucester starting XV isn't a product of our academy...5 points if you can spot the odd man out....

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Optimist
01/02/2019 14:36

Wow - that's pretty impressive if that is the case KILW. On another thread, we're trying to work out if it's feasible for us to get to 50% of the squad being academy-produced by 2023... and the general consensus seems to be that we won't hit that target.

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BathBurger
01/02/2019 16:26

Quote:

Ken I L Worth
Only one of that Gloucester starting XV isn't a product of our academy...5 points if you can spot the odd man out....

Options right that’s really impressive! Good stuff.

Hope Bannas has a good (not too good) game.

Have to say I’m in the camp that sees 2023 as too ambitious but a good thing to aim for.

With the teams as they are, we really should win this.

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shipwrecked
01/02/2019 16:43

That is a pretty lethal looking set of backs! What's the chances that Banners scores against us!


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

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OutsideBath
01/02/2019 17:06

Do we really need to put out such a strong team in a pointless fixture?

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CoochieCoo
01/02/2019 17:22

Match postponed from the Club's FB page

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plong
01/02/2019 17:45

Postponed - could either be on Sunday at 2.30pm or Monday at 7.45pm...

Adopted Players: All of the little blighters!!!

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hemington
01/02/2019 17:52

Quote:

OutsideBath
Do we really need to put out such a strong team in a pointless fixture?

Most haven't played for weeks - do you want them starting cold against Newcastle when it really counts?

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OutsideBath
01/02/2019 17:55

Quote:

hemington

Quote:

OutsideBath
Do we really need to put out such a strong team in a pointless fixture?

Most haven't played for weeks - do you want them starting cold against Newcastle when it really counts?

No but with our luck with injuries it seems too big a risk to go that strong.

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hemington
01/02/2019 17:58

Quote:

OutsideBath

Quote:

hemington

Quote:

OutsideBath
Do we really need to put out such a strong team in a pointless fixture?

Most haven't played for weeks - do you want them starting cold against Newcastle when it really counts?

No but with our luck with injuries it seems too big a risk to go that strong.

Aren't they more likely to be injured the longer they haven't played competitively and this game they can go half competitivly. Don't know - there are arguments both ways - what would Brian Ashton or Jack Rowell have done?

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Optimist
01/02/2019 18:22

Quote:

hemington
what would Brian Ashton or Jack Rowell have done?

Ashton would have left it to the players to work it out for themselves.

Rowell would have insulted each of them personally and picked the 15 who laughed it off and said ‘Jack’s the greatest man manager i’ve ever worked with’.

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shipwrecked
01/02/2019 18:35

Quote:

OutsideBath

Quote:

hemington

Quote:

OutsideBath
Do we really need to put out such a strong team in a pointless fixture?

Most haven't played for weeks - do you want them starting cold against Newcastle when it really counts?

No but with our luck with injuries it seems too big a risk to go that strong.

True, but when you go for it properly often you come out unscathed, the half hearted approach is the one where things get broken.


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

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