Bath vs Scarlets for the Rag Doll; Friday night Rugby on BTSport

[fivepointer]

He went the full 80 and did reasonably. Made his tackles, won a good turnover and carried a bit. After being out for a while i'd say that was a decent comeback.

[Mellsblue]

Sounds like a solid comeback. Cheers.

[fivepointer]

“We knew what to expect and the performance was inexcusable,” said the Bath’s director of rugby, Todd Blackadder. “We played into their hands and, with qualification now a remote prospect, we have internal issues to address.”

Wonder what he means. is there discontent at the club?

[bruce]

Just watched the highlights, still admiring Beirne stepping Watson for the first try.

[Banquo]

“We knew what to expect and the performance was inexcusable,” said the Bath’s director of rugby, Todd Blackadder. “We played into their hands and, with qualification now a remote prospect, we have internal issues to address.”

Wonder what he means. is there discontent at the club?

I think he's pi55ed off with the players.

[Mellsblue]

It’s pretty obvious that the problem is there was only one captain. You can only get away with it if your capt is Hartley.

[Digby]

He might just mean we're putting out the kids for the remaining match

[Raggs]

Not sure you can class the premiership as generic, the top 4 teams in the league all have very different styles.

Gloucester don’t have a very different style from Saracens. It’s a variation on a theme, like most of the Premiership.

But anyway, the top 4 isn’t the league and Wasps and Exeter (to an extent Sale) are the only clubs with very distinct styles imo.

Last season glaws were similar to sarries but i don't see it this season.

What are the huge differences between those European clubs and the ap ones? We don't currently have a massively offloading side, but wasps try as do glaws. Although saints are poor at the moment I'd argue that their style is different as well. Quins have also been poor but have a unique approach also, even if it hasn't really worked well recently.

[p/d]

Agree Raggs.

Can't help feeling the AP teams have generally been second best on doing their homework on the opposition. IMO Exeter have been noticeably guilty of this and last night Bath played right into Scarlets hands.

The biggest frustration has been the lack of knowing when and when not to offload. Mostly making the wrong decision, gifting their opponents an open field to attack.

[Puja]

Not sure you can class the premiership as generic, the top 4 teams in the league all have very different styles.

Gloucester don’t have a very different style from Saracens. It’s a variation on a theme, like most of the Premiership.

But anyway, the top 4 isn’t the league and Wasps and Exeter (to an extent Sale) are the only clubs with very distinct styles imo.

Last season glaws were similar to sarries but i don't see it this season.

What are the huge differences between those European clubs and the ap ones? We don't currently have a massively offloading side, but wasps try as do glaws. Although saints are poor at the moment I'd argue that their style is different as well. Quins have also been poor but have a unique approach also, even if it hasn't really worked well recently.

I'd say the major difference is in the resourcing of the breakdowns. AP clubs appear to have taken the new laws to mean that there's no point in putting much effort into attacking or defending breakdowns and appear to be slightly taken aback at how rude all these Celts are being in actually competing there.

Puja

[Which Tyler]

It's uncouth I tells you! Cheating!

[Digby]

Listening to the various DoRs you'd get the impression it's impossible to compete, and yet we see it's not, they're not helped by picking a 6/8 at 7 either. I'm also reminded off listening to them ramble that it'd be impossible to hook in the modern game when they contend you can't compete.

[Timbo]

Gloucester don’t have a very different style from Saracens. It’s a variation on a theme, like most of the Premiership.

But anyway, the top 4 isn’t the league and Wasps and Exeter (to an extent Sale) are the only clubs with very distinct styles imo.

Last season glaws were similar to sarries but i don't see it this season.

What are the huge differences between those European clubs and the ap ones? We don't currently have a massively offloading side, but wasps try as do glaws. Although saints are poor at the moment I'd argue that their style is different as well. Quins have also been poor but have a unique approach also, even if it hasn't really worked well recently.

I'd say the major difference is in the resourcing of the breakdowns. AP clubs appear to have taken the new laws to mean that there's no point in putting much effort into attacking or defending breakdowns and appear to be slightly taken aback at how rude all these Celts are being in actually competing there.

Puja

The reffing in the Prem doesn’t help.

[Digby]

The reffing in the Prem doesn’t help.

It's arguably more in line with what's supposed to be happening, but yes. (Only supposed to be happening as per latest IRB stipulations, not the wider madness of ignoring so much)