Exeter vs Bath - semi-final - 4.30pm Saturday

[Oakboy]

Luke Cowan Dickie is the most effective guy I have seen at tap and go's. I don't know how he does it but he can score against a set defense when everyone can see him coming and isn't taken off guard. It's his weird super power. He constantly surprises me.

I think the re-emergence of tap-and-go is brilliant for the game. It is far better to watch than the three other penalty options: line-kick, goal-kick or scrum, if only for the quick continuity of play. Add on that Baxter advocates its effectiveness and that LCD makes it work and it is a real step forward, albeit based on a historical step back. At a time when Exeter are likely to be categorised as grunt-merchants, they keep scoring tries and coming up with ideas against the majority-thinking. Last season it was not kicking for goal. Now, it's a further move to the unconventional. It's a bit like 'the more I practise the luckier I get' mantra.

[Scrumhead]

That needs a jackal. Be interesting to see any significant reduction in conversion of tries by Exeter in the 22 when playing a team that has a bona fide jackal. It’s borderline cynical but hard to stop. The loosies selected can potentially take the wind out of that sail. *note for future England opponents *

They play against Sale regularly (who have both of the Curry twins) and Bath today had Underhill and have taken on all comers in Europe so far. They're incredibly well drilled and very rarely get caught without support or poor ball presentation when they've gone into near the line grinding mode.

Be interesting to see whether Jack Willis, who is probably the turnover king in the NH right now, will be able to make a dent when they play in the final.

Puja

This is it. They’re very patient and accurate when they’re in the red zone and they very rarely get turned over because the ball is so well protected.

No ‘probably’ about Willis being the turnover king in the NH - he had 43 turnovers prior to yesterday’s game so probably has 46 or 47 now. No-one else is remotely close.

[Scrumhead]

Luke Cowan Dickie is the most effective guy I have seen at tap and go's. I don't know how he does it but he can score against a set defense when everyone can see him coming and isn't taken off guard. It's his weird super power. He constantly surprises me.

I think the re-emergence of tap-and-go is brilliant for the game. It is far better to watch than the three other penalty options: line-kick, goal-kick or scrum, if only for the quick continuity of play. Add on that Baxter advocates its effectiveness and that LCD makes it work and it is a real step forward, albeit based on a historical step back. At a time when Exeter are likely to be categorised as grunt-merchants, they keep scoring tries and coming up with ideas against the majority-thinking. Last season it was not kicking for goal. Now, it's a further move to the unconventional. It's a bit like 'the more I practise the luckier I get' mantra.

Agreed. I like the return of the tap-and-go too. It would be great to see some more tap moves coming in too.

[FKAS]

Bath are well coached when things are going their way. When they’re not steamrollering scrums and getting tackled on the gainline they can look rudderless. Like most teams tbh.

I agree I think since Hatley came in Bath have developed really well. They are significantly better than when Blackadder was in charge. There's no shame in coming up short against Exeter one of the premier teams on the continent.

Bath have some work still to do. It will be interesting to see who they bring in to develop the squad. The attacking game plan might need a little tweaking to take on the big teams they've got good set pieces which is always a good place to start from.

Still a good way from the sum of their parts imo -not sure Hooper knows how to do the head coach gig.

They started pretty poorly under Hooper with him seeming to combine DOR and head coach. When Hatley came in he became the defacto head coach and then actually the head coach and Bath seemed to have done well. I presume Hooper is concentrating on more than just each weekend's performance like a proper DOR and letting Hatley go week to week.

You're right on paper they've got an outrageously good team but teams can develop over time. Sarries and Exeter have refined the way they play again and again to keep improving. Be interesting to see if that's what's happening at Bath or whether this is their level.

[Which Tyler]

Still a good way from the sum of their parts imo -not sure Hooper knows how to do the head coach gig.

Yes, a good way from the sum of their parts, less than 1 year into a new coaching set-up.
Oh, and Hooper doesn't need to know how to be a head coach, or any sort of coach - that's not his job.

On how we play, we've made big strides since Hooper took over from Blackadder at the beginning of this season, and huge strides over lockdown when we were actually able to train properly with Hatley in charge.
1 year is way too short a time to be tearing down a new coaching team for not being the finished article.

We've shored up the pack, improved the defence and developed an actual game plan for the first time in 4 years. Sparkling back moves comes later - just like Bath, Leicester, Wasps, Saracens and Exeter in their hey-days. Hopefully, well develop to those hey-days, were certainly going the right way about it, but nothing's ever guaranteed.

[Scrumhead]

Agreed. I think Hooper is being judged very harshly here. They look a far more consistent and complete side than they have in a long time so I find the criticism a bit odd. They’re hardly the first side to be outplayed by Exeter.

Hatley seems to have done a great job since joining and they’re introducing more young players (Redpath and de Glanville for example). They also seem to have found a way of consistently getting more from second choice players like Boyce, Matavesi and Reid which is adding strength to their 23.

Generally I’ve been critical of how little they’ve made of a stellar back division, but they seem to be getting there ... Spencer has made a big difference and Redpath looks like he’ll be a great asset as a second playmaker at 12.

If they can get the attack firing, I think they have a better squad than most of the other contenders and I can definitely see them being there or thereabouts next season.

[Stom]

Yeah, I feel like Quins have missed their chance really. Bath, Wasps, Briz and sale have all overtaken us quite comprehensively.

[FKAS]

I think they have a better squad than most of the other contenders and I can definitely see them being there or thereabouts next season.

Yes and no. Remember there's a massive chunk of next season where home internationals won't be available as the unions desperately exploit their national teams to try and make up some of the lost Covid cash. If Spencer, Underhill and Falatau are missing for an extended period then Bath don't quite have the depth in those positions bar Mercer coming in for Falatau. Conceivably half the backline could get called up.

Then there's the Priestland problem. If he goes down for key games or a lengthy spell it's Matavesi who isn't a Prem level flyhalf or the young lad Bailey.

Bath should be fairly comfortably in the top 6 but I wouldn't be surprised if they squeeze one or two more players into their squad just to shore them up a bit. Otherwise it could be a tough start and then they are an injury away from having real issues at 10.

[twitchy]

I see lots of chat in other places that hill should have got a red. I found myself agreeing with the ref that it was borderline but probably a yellow. Then again I am a biased exeter fan. What do you guys think? It does look bad when you see it in slow motion.

[fivepointer]

Yellow seemed the right outcome.

[Oakboy]

I think if there had been footage showing contact with head or neck, Hill would have got red. As it was, the ref (together with his two assistants) would have been guessing which is simply not good enough when awarding red.

[Digby]

Given what we're told about protecting players being a priority over single incidents it should have been a red, but given the leeway allowed on what passes for rucking there is some sort of defence of 'well other people do it'

If the refs would enforce the actual rucking laws we shouldn't have this mess to begin with. Granted given the power in the game we might need to make some changes if rucking required a bind before you could ruck, but it's hard to judge that when the standard is an illegal one

[Raggs]

Sorry but it clearly hit his head. The angle in slow mo just before Barnes asked if he wanted to see it again, clearly shows the head being pushed down to faletaus chest before hitting his back.

[Puja]

I see lots of chat in other places that hill should have got a red. I found myself agreeing with the ref that it was borderline but probably a yellow. Then again I am a biased exeter fan. What do you guys think? It does look bad when you see it in slow motion.

I think it was awfully, awfully close to a red and a less sympathetic ref might have called it a red without much difficulty in justifying it. In terms of what was just, I think a yellow was correct.

Puja

[twitchy]

Sorry but it clearly hit his head. The angle in slow mo just before Barnes asked if he wanted to see it again, clearly shows the head being pushed down to faletaus chest before hitting his back.

Do you have a different angle. I thought it was close but top of the back.

[Raggs]

Watch faletaus face. Hisface doesn't move like that unless the back of his head is hit.

[Puja]

Watch faletaus face. Hisface doesn't move like that unless the back of his head is hit.

I would agree that it's probably a glancing blow to the back of his head, but my doubt is that could also have been him seeing Hill in his peripheral vision and rapidly shifting his head to get it out of the way. I wouldn't say it's 100% conclusive.

Puja

[Which Tyler]

Yes and no. Remember there's a massive chunk of next season where home internationals won't be available as the unions desperately exploit their national teams to try and make up some of the lost Covid cash. If Spencer, Underhill and Falatau are missing for an extended period then Bath don't quite have the depth in those positions bar Mercer coming in for Falatau. Conceivably half the backline could get called up.

Then there's the Priestland problem. If he goes down for key games or a lengthy spell it's Matavesi who isn't a Prem level flyhalf or the young lad Bailey.

Bath should be fairly comfortably in the top 6 but I wouldn't be surprised if they squeeze one or two more players into their squad just to shore them up a bit. Otherwise it could be a tough start and then they are an injury away from having real issues at 10.

Any team is going to struggle if they lose a significant number of top players for half the season. We've mostly got good individuals to take over from those departing, but leaves us very vulnerable to injuries.

If Obano goes, Boyce is fine, but I'm not convinced by Schoeman benching
If Dunn goes, Walker is fine, but Batty is past it (and was never great)
If Stuart goes, then starting Judge is a worry, and there are plenty of fitness concerns around Thomas.
If Ewels goes, well miss his lineout nouse, but McNally, Stools and Spencer are fine.
If Underhill and Faleatu go, then Ellis, Bayliss, Mercer, Reid and Williams are fine, but getting a little thin on the ground.

Spencer and Joseph are a class apart from their backup.
We can afford 2 of our back 3 to play internationally, but not all 3.

Of course, each of those weakens us a little, and if we're losing 5+ first choice players, that's adding up to a lot.

At FH, there's still that persistent rumournof Miotti from Argentina, but I don't know how much of that persistence is desperation from fans. Matevesi is... OK for a one-off match, as are Redpath and DeGlanville (though there's always the possibility they'll shine if given a chance there). I don't want Bailey shouldering that expectation just yet, but I do want him gradually fed in from the bench. If Rhys gets anything minor we should benokay short-term. If he gets anything major, we can sign cover, it's if he gets a 4-8 week injury we're screwed.
There's also the (almost laughable) rumour/speculation that we're offering Sexton a player/coach role - fine as a "break glass in case of emergency" but I really wouldn't be happy adding his salary to our cap.

[Raggs]

Watch faletaus face. Hisface doesn't move like that unless the back of his head is hit.

I would agree that it's probably a glancing blow to the back of his head, but my doubt is that could also have been him seeing Hill in his peripheral vision and rapidly shifting his head to get it out of the way. I wouldn't say it's 100% conclusive.

Puja

Are you watching that full screen or on a phone? Full screen it's very apparent that the back of his head is hit. It's glancing, and not a smash, but an inch off and Faletau is getting his neck compressed.

[Mikey Brown]

I think he glances the head first, but I still think whether or not he hit the head at all is a bit of a distraction from how inherently dangerous those sorts of “clearouts” are.

[Puja]

Watch faletaus face. Hisface doesn't move like that unless the back of his head is hit.

I would agree that it's probably a glancing blow to the back of his head, but my doubt is that could also have been him seeing Hill in his peripheral vision and rapidly shifting his head to get it out of the way. I wouldn't say it's 100% conclusive.

Puja

Are you watching that full screen or on a phone? Full screen it's very apparent that the back of his head is hit. It's glancing, and not a smash, but an inch off and Faletau is getting his neck compressed.

Hmm. On very close examination, I think you're right.

From an England perspective, I hope the citing commission don't take a very close examination.

Puja

[FKAS]

Watch faletaus face. Hisface doesn't move like that unless the back of his head is hit.

Looks like initial contact is the very top of the back but his shoulder does slide own onto the neck and back of the head.

[Beasties]

Sorry but it clearly hit his head. The angle in slow mo just before Barnes asked if he wanted to see it again, clearly shows the head being pushed down to faletaus chest before hitting his back.

Do you have a different angle. I thought it was close but top of the back.

How clear do you want that to be? I have no idea how that could be clearer. It's not even close to contact being made anywhere but the head first.

It shouldn't even be relevant though, the intent to lead with the shoulder with no thought for the target is just plain reckless no matter what the outcome. Whether Hill is "lucky" he didn't cause more damage shouldn't affect the card he's given anyway. Faletau was the only person lucky there. Too many of these in every game and it needs sorting.

[Digby]

Sorry but it clearly hit his head. The angle in slow mo just before Barnes asked if he wanted to see it again, clearly shows the head being pushed down to faletaus chest before hitting his back.

Do you have a different angle. I thought it was close but top of the back.

How clear do you want that to be? I have no idea how that could be clearer. It's not even close to contact being made anywhere but the head first.

It shouldn't even be relevant though, the intent to lead with the shoulder with no thought for the target is just plain reckless no matter what the outcome. Whether Hill is "lucky" he didn't cause more damage shouldn't affect the card he's given anyway. Faletau was the only person lucky there. Too many of these in every game and it needs sorting.

It's not going to be sorted though by the adhoc use of a red card though. They need to get serious and stay serious about the need to bind before rucking, and right now even if they got serious about it I think they'd stay serious about it less time than they stayed serious about the straight feed at the scrum

[Banquo]

Still a good way from the sum of their parts imo -not sure Hooper knows how to do the head coach gig.

Yes, a good way from the sum of their parts, less than 1 year into a new coaching set-up.
Oh, and Hooper doesn't need to know how to be a head coach, or any sort of coach - that's not his job.

On how we play, we've made big strides since Hooper took over from Blackadder at the beginning of this season, and huge strides over lockdown when we were actually able to train properly with Hatley in charge.
1 year is way too short a time to be tearing down a new coaching team for not being the finished article.

We've shored up the pack, improved the defence and developed an actual game plan for the first time in 4 years. Sparkling back moves comes later - just like Bath, Leicester, Wasps, Saracens and Exeter in their hey-days. Hopefully, well develop to those hey-days, were certainly going the right way about it, but nothing's ever guaranteed.

Calm down. Not long ago you were moaning about them too.

Genuine Q- is Hooper not head coach?