Rugby Union (was 2014-15, now an ongoing thread)

[lovejoy]

I think Ford's kicking is a potential problem. He missed with two kickable penalties that should have been taken at this level. Another day those misses may have been more crucial. It would be then too easy throw Farrell on and let him take over kicking duties. So, sacrficing a bit of flair for the formulaic.

That's the one thing that concerns me about his game. I will see him in the flesh in two weeks time at Bath, but there were a few times last season Bath failed to put points on the board when on top due to him have a bad day with the boot.

I'd pray for a dry day if I were you, the facilities in that temporary ground are extremely poor.

[andyaston]

I know, I've been a few times before. I have am behind the sticks on the Thatchers Terrace which is standing so the rainmack is on standby.

[UK Redsox]

Given the fuss that the RFU make about the facilities that promoted clubs must have in order to compete at the top level its wrong that Bath are allowed to get away with basically putting down a few deck-chairs on a park each season.

[paul_e]

The rules aren't that strict and 'a few deck chairs on a park' is a rather misleading statement.  Given the temporary seating passes all relevant safety checks and their capacity is well over the minimum set by the league it would be rather harsh to kick them out of the league because of it.  Aside from that given the ongoing legal shenanigans about the ground (a land swap between space the club uses and their training ground has been on the cards for about 6-7years but is being slowed down by silliness from a small number of residents) any attempt by the premiership to force action would likely see a legal challenge.

I've only ever seen comments about the seating from glaws fans so it's always felt a little like just wanting Bath to get one in the eye rather than any legitimate concern about safety or rules.

I like the rec as a ground, like kingsholm and the gardens it has a rugby 'feel' to it that the rest of the clubs I've been too just don't have (I haven't been to the new Sarries stadium but I reckon I'd dislike that more than the rest put together, welford road used to be good but I hate the new stand).

[PaulWinch again]

If you look at England this autumn I would say 6 players have enhanced their reputation. For me personally they'd be May, Ford, Morgan, Marler, Attwood and Lawes. In Lawes case he's more confirmed his status.

[lovejoy]

The rules aren't that strict and 'a few deck chairs on a park' is a rather misleading statement.  Given the temporary seating passes all relevant safety checks and their capacity is well over the minimum set by the league it would be rather harsh to kick them out of the league because of it.  Aside from that given the ongoing legal shenanigans about the ground (a land swap between space the club uses and their training ground has been on the cards for about 6-7years but is being slowed down by silliness from a small number of residents) any attempt by the premiership to force action would likely see a legal challenge.

I've only ever seen comments about the seating from glaws fans so it's always felt a little like just wanting Bath to get one in the eye rather than any legitimate concern about safety or rules.

I like the rec as a ground, like kingsholm and the gardens it has a rugby 'feel' to it that the rest of the clubs I've been too just don't have (I haven't been to the new Sarries stadium but I reckon I'd dislike that more than the rest put together, welford road used to be good but I hate the new stand).

Theres a primary tenancy rule isn't there. Not sure now but the area was owned by the local council - that's how small time they are, most standing areas are uncovered and the toilets are inadequate for the number of people there. No atmosphere either, to compare it to Kingsholm of Franklins Gardens, proper rugby grounds, is misjudged in my opinion.

[andyaston]

Given the fuss that the RFU make about the facilities that promoted clubs must have in order to compete at the top level its wrong that Bath are allowed to get away with basically putting down a few deck-chairs on a park each season.

It's not that bad. If Bruce Craig had his way things would be much better but they are having problems with the planning permission. Plus, the surrounding area is wonderfully scenic.

[paul_e]

If you look at England this autumn I would say 6 players have enhanced their reputation. For me personally they'd be May, Ford, Morgan, Marler, Attwood and Lawes. In Lawes case he's more confirmed his status.

It frustrates me that Lawes isn't discussed for player of the year awards but Brodie Rettalick is, there's nothing between the 2 for me and they're easily the 2 best locks in world rugby, but because England haven't won every game Lawes' value seems to be understated.

I agree with you on the others.

I'd also suggest that Farrell, Barritt, Brown, Robshaw and Vunipola have had a very disappointing autumn on the back of very poor club form for all of them (would've thought that players who are out of form for their clubs aren't the best choices for international games, craziness).

lovejoy - as I said the rules are odd, primary tenancy isn't a requirement (Irish, Sarries and Wasps have all played in football stadiums they had no share in for years, Sale ground share with Salford Reds and wouldn't be considered primary tenants, London Welsh are in a really odd arrangement with Oxford) for existing arrangements but the clubs have to own a percentage of any new grounds, which is where all the issues around admitting Welsh came in.  I personally like the rec, it feels like a proper rugby ground, that's what i meant when I compared it kingsholm and the gardens, it has a real history, they've played there for 150 years, I'd be gutted as a sports fan in general if they had to move because of something silly like temporary seating which is why I hope that everything get resolved sensibly.  To set an expectation a little better I've only been to the rec twice and both times I was in one of the sponsors boxes so my thoughts on the palce are very much tailored around how it looks and feels from the balcony rather than standing/sitting with the peasants...   (the president of my old club was a big Bath fan and he used to sponsor them 1-2 games a season and arrange a coach to go down for the game).

[aev]

Vunipola B just looks tubby to be honest.

I also think Brown had a poor Autumn.

[andyaston]

If you look at England this autumn I would say 6 players have enhanced their reputation. For me personally they'd be May, Ford, Morgan, Marler, Attwood and Lawes. In Lawes case he's more confirmed his status.

It frustrates me that Lawes isn't discussed for player of the year awards but Brodie Rettalick is, there's nothing between the 2 for me and they're easily the 2 best locks in world rugby, but because England haven't won every game Lawes' value seems to be understated.

I agree with you on the others.

I'd also suggest that Farrell, Barritt, Brown, Robshaw and Vunipola have had a very disappointing autumn on the back of very poor club form for all of them (would've thought that players who are out of form for their clubs aren't the best choices for international games, craziness).

lovejoy - as I said the rules are odd, primary tenancy isn't a requirement (Irish, Sarries and Wasps have all played in football stadiums they had no share in for years, Sale ground share with Salford Reds and wouldn't be considered primary tenants, London Welsh are in a really odd arrangement with Oxford) for existing arrangements but the clubs have to own a percentage of any new grounds, which is where all the issues around admitting Welsh came in.  I personally like the rec, it feels like a proper rugby ground, that's what i meant when I compared it kingsholm and the gardens, it has a real history, they've played there for 150 years, I'd be gutted as a sports fan in general if they had to move because of something silly like temporary seating which is why I hope that everything get resolved sensibly.  To set an expectation a little better I've only been to the rec twice and both times I was in one of the sponsors boxes so my thoughts on the palce are very much tailored around how it looks and feels from the balcony rather than standing/sitting with the peasants...   (the president of my old club was a big Bath fan and he used to sponsor them 1-2 games a season and arrange a coach to go down for the game).

Oi less of the peasants! But, well put, it has a real feel to the place which has a history. It would be a shame to move to a identikit stadium and lose more sporting heritage.

[PaulWinch again]

Vunipola B just looks tubby to be honest.

I also think Brown had a poor Autumn.

Billy V really needs to sort himself out he was desperately poor. Brown was also way below par.

[paul_e]

Vunipola B just looks tubby to be honest.

I also think Brown had a poor Autumn.

I agree, Vuniploa hasn't looked fully fit all season, maybe his brother being out has affected his training (sounds stupid but from the Clare Balding thing a few weeks ago it was pretty clear that Mako holds a lot of sway with him, if Mako is struggling with being entirely professional whilst injured maybe Billy is being carreid along with it).  Of course it could be nothing like that but he definitely needs to look at his conditioning, Morgan has worked really hard to get back into it and Billy needs to show the same determination to get the spot back.

I'm not sure what's going on with Brown, but I reckon it's related to the general malaise at Quins. They've been dreadful this year with both Sarries and Exeter humiliating them with big, simple wins and Bath demolishing them without really getting the points on the board to show just how big a defeat it was.

[paul_e]

Saints play Treviso this weekend and have picked (largely because of the internationals coming back) the strongest bench I've ever seen in a club game.

Replacements
16 Dylan HARTLEY
17 Ethan WALLER
18 Gareth DENMAN
19 Courtney LAWES
20 Tom WOOD
21 Kahn FOTUALI’I
22 George PISI
23 James WILSON

That is  why they're the team to beat in the England this season.

[lovejoy]

The Toulon bench in last years HC final wasn't too shabby

HK   16   Jean-Charles Orioli   Substituted in 50'
PR   17   Gethin Jenkins   Substituted in 61'
PR   18     Davit Kubriashvili   Substituted in 76'
N8   19   Joe van Niekerk   Substituted in 50'
FL   20   Steffon Armitage   Substituted in 69'
CE   21   Maxime Mermoz
FH   22   Frédéric Michalak   Substituted in 50'
LK   23   Jocelino Suta   Substituted in 6

[paul_e]

Good half from Bath, a 5 point win here gives them the slimmest imaginable hope of squeezing through so I suspect they'll throw everything at getting the last 2 tries as quickly as they can.