U18 Academy League

[Epaminondas Pules]

Now penalty to Tigers who kick to touch about 7/8 inside the Glaws half.

[Epaminondas Pules]

6 to go. This game is a DING DONG!

[Which Tyler]

Or have watched them play and look a much better unit and individuals in the main.

The one I saw had nothing in it.

If team A is "far and away" better than team B, then I would expect them to look it when sharing a rugby pitch. They didn't.

It is probably worth judging on more than a single game kid

Thanks adult.
I didn't get the chance. One game doesn't prove a theory. But it can disprove one.
"Far and away" was a gross exaggeration (aka "wrong").

[Epaminondas Pules]

George Martin has just knocked a Glaws boy into next week with a huge tackle!!! Pen to Tigers!

[Epaminondas Pules]

The one I saw had nothing in it.

If team A is "far and away" better than team B, then I would expect them to look it when sharing a rugby pitch. They didn't.

It is probably worth judging on more than a single game kid

Thanks adult.
I didn't get the chance. One game doesn't prove a theory. But it can disprove one.
"Far and away" was a gross exaggeration (aka "wrong").

Not if you’d watched more than one fucking game like I have.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Now Tigers hit the post!! From the rebound a penalty is awarded to Glaws who kick to half way.

[Which Tyler]

It is probably worth judging on more than a single game kid

Thanks adult.
I didn't get the chance. One game doesn't prove a theory. But it can disprove one.
"Far and away" was a gross exaggeration (aka "wrong").

Not if you’d watched more than one fucking game like I have.

Repetition, arrogance and insults, does not a convincing argument make.

You were wrong, your corroborating evidence agrees that you were wrong.
It's okay to admit that you were exaggerating for effect though, we all do it.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Glaws attacking with one minute to go. Tigers holding firm. Penalty!! Tigers get the penalty at the breakdown. That could be it!

[Epaminondas Pules]

Thanks adult.
I didn't get the chance. One game doesn't prove a theory. But it can disprove one.
"Far and away" was a gross exaggeration (aka "wrong").

Not if you’d watched more than one fucking game like I have.

Repetition, arrogance and insults, does not a convincing argument make.

You were wrong, your corroborating evidence agrees that you were wrong.
It's okay to admit that you were exaggerating for effect though, we all do it.

Ok kid. Whatever. Alex Shaw says they are the best two having watched shit loads of rugby at this level. As do the guys at Fifteen rugby and myself. All of whom have watched more age grade rugby than most. But no you watched a game. I think I’ll go with watching players regularly myself.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Tigers win!! Hell of a game! Outstanding effort from both sides!!

[Tigersman]

Come on now.

It's been a great U18's finals.
All involved should be proud.

Now lets demand it be streamed at the very least next year!!!!!

[fivepointer]

Come on now.

It's been a great U18's finals.
All involved should be proud.

Now lets demand it be streamed at the very least next year!!!!!

Seconded.

Sounds like at least 2 absolutely cracking games with a tremendous final.

The quality of young players continues to rise it seems. Really good news for the long term health of the game.

[Tigersman]

From Alex Shaw on twitter
One minor tidbit/I’d be taking the piss if I invoiced RugbyPass this as an article: looks like Bath are only contracting the four players already announced. Some serious talent looking for clubs.

Odd that, not like Bath have a massive squad so would have thought get in as many as they good at least for a season or 2 more.

[Epaminondas Pules]

From Alex Shaw on twitter
One minor tidbit/I’d be taking the piss if I invoiced RugbyPass this as an article: looks like Bath are only contracting the four players already announced. Some serious talent looking for clubs.

Odd that, not like Bath have a massive squad so would have thought get in as many as they good at least for a season or 2 more.

Kind of depends as you can’t take everyone on. I’m surprised they haven’t taken more if I’m honest, but rugby is becoming a harsher environment if you’re not exceptional these days. Hopefully a number can look to local setups, like Hartpury to further their rugby education.

[Tigersman]

From Alex Shaw on twitter
One minor tidbit/I’d be taking the piss if I invoiced RugbyPass this as an article: looks like Bath are only contracting the four players already announced. Some serious talent looking for clubs.

Odd that, not like Bath have a massive squad so would have thought get in as many as they good at least for a season or 2 more.

Kind of depends as you can’t take everyone on. I’m surprised they haven’t taken more if I’m honest, but rugby is becoming a harsher environment if you’re not exceptional these days. Hopefully a number can look to local setups, like Hartpury to further their rugby education.

Guess it depends how many are in their final years, but could mean 3 U18 players will miss out on contracts for them.

But I understand your point, Tigers only took in 4 players from last years group. (Although Tigers have a bigger squad than Bath).

[Epaminondas Pules]

From Alex Shaw on twitter
One minor tidbit/I’d be taking the piss if I invoiced RugbyPass this as an article: looks like Bath are only contracting the four players already announced. Some serious talent looking for clubs.

Odd that, not like Bath have a massive squad so would have thought get in as many as they good at least for a season or 2 more.

Kind of depends as you can’t take everyone on. I’m surprised they haven’t taken more if I’m honest, but rugby is becoming a harsher environment if you’re not exceptional these days. Hopefully a number can look to local setups, like Hartpury to further their rugby education.

Guess it depends how many are in their final years, but could mean 3 U18 players will miss out on contracts for them.

But I understand your point, Tigers only took in 4 players from last years group. (Although Tigers have a bigger squad than Bath).

It’s a tough environment. It’ll be interesting to see how many of the 7 returnees in the Tigers squad will get contracts. I’d do all 7 personally, but it’s not always that easy.

I think we’d have taken 5 last year but for some immigration issues.

[Tigersman]

Dunn had complications apparently.

Personally I think
Whitcombe
Martin
Eveleigh
Law
Costelow
Du Randt
Browning
Steward
Should get contracts at the least, and that would be harsh on Manz, Phoenix (Injury) and Poortvliet.

Espcially as it's looking like a sizeable number of the current development squad are going to the seniors Heyes, Lewis, Reffell, Simmons, White, Hardwick, Olowofela.

[Epaminondas Pules]

I wouldn’t disagree greatly with that. Harsh on Manz, but life is harsh at this level.

[Tigersman]

In fact Tigers had 6 contracts on the table for last year.
4 who stayed
Lavin, Gough, Jordn, Smith
1 who had visa issues
Dunn
and 1 who decided to accept a contract with a NZ team
Koelmann

[Epaminondas Pules]

I may be being really harsh, but Dunn aside, I can only see Smith from that bunch making it all the way to first team.

I see more in this years crop / graduates.

[Tigersman]

I may be being really harsh, but Dunn aside, I can only see Smith from that bunch making it all the way to first team.

I see more in this years crop / graduates.

Jordan is impressive player natural leader, but he needs to bulk out a bit more for Prem level lock.
I rate Lavin as well.

[fivepointer]

So some Bath players selected for the England U18 squad wont get a contract?
What happens to the lads who miss out. Back to club rugby, or University or lost to the game? Is there any way they could be tracked to see if they could make the grade later on in the career?

[Epaminondas Pules]

So some Bath players selected for the England U18 squad wont get a contract?
What happens to the lads who miss out. Back to club rugby, or University or lost to the game? Is there any way they could be tracked to see if they could make the grade later on in the career?

Mix. There is an element of ‘poaching’ coming more in to the academy game, which often manifest at 18’s contract, or maybe let’s call it moving....

You’ll find some get gigs elsewhere, both Prem and Champ. For Bath there’s Hartpury obviously. Uni is also a big option that some take by choice, like Callum Watson (Anthony and Marcus’ brother) who chose uni over a pro (Development) contract.

[Tigersman]

So some Bath players selected for the England U18 squad wont get a contract?
What happens to the lads who miss out. Back to club rugby, or University or lost to the game? Is there any way they could be tracked to see if they could make the grade later on in the career?

i suspect that the Bath players in the U18 England squad that are not contracted still have another year in the academy.

[Epaminondas Pules]

So some Bath players selected for the England U18 squad wont get a contract?
What happens to the lads who miss out. Back to club rugby, or University or lost to the game? Is there any way they could be tracked to see if they could make the grade later on in the career?

i suspect that the Bath players in the U18 England squad that are not contracted still have another year in the academy.

That too