RugbyRebels

Not sure if this was always planned or it’s the clubs’ way of replacing lost gate receipts but the BaaBaas have matches against three Prem clubs:
vs Quins on Thursday 17th November
vs Bath on Sunday 20th November
vs Northampton on Saturday 26th November.

A great idea, imo, however it has come about.

That is indeed excellent news. Hopefully they'll also be giving some of the unsigned Wasps and Worcester players a game to put themselves in the shop window.

Puja

It's partly good as it rescues some income and gives those players a chance, but it also takes away the one silver lining of more rest and recovery time for the players involved from the surviving clubs.

It would be good if they could do a deal with channel 4 to get those games on free to air.

16th man wrote: ↑Wed Oct 19, 2022 11:29 am It's partly good as it rescues some income and gives those players a chance, but it also takes away the one silver lining of more rest and recovery time for the players involved from the surviving clubs.

It would be good if they could do a deal with channel 4 to get those games on free to air.

In fairness, it's 1 additional match, in exchange for 4-5 fewer.

I'm also more sympathetic of clubs needing a cash-boosting fixture in a season with massive cash disruptions; than when planned for and known in advance.

R&R for players looks like it’s coming next season. Keeping the remaining clubs afloat is surely the priority this season… that said, those three are surely in the group of the most financially resilient clubs.
Agreed on free to air.

Puja wrote: ↑Tue Oct 18, 2022 8:50 pm That is indeed excellent news. Hopefully they'll also be giving some of the unsigned Wasps and Worcester players a game to put themselves in the shop window.

Great minds, apparently: https://inews.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/b ... bs-1921546

Puja

Seems Northampton had the idea to bring in extra income via the matches. Someone at FG needs a pat on the back.

Not the Baabaas but Tigers are playing an Italian Select XV as part of a double header which will also see Leicester Tigers Ladies play Loughborough Town Ladies at Welcomed Road on 5th November.

“The Italian federation were keen to organise an extra fixture for players not already involved in their autumn series and we wanted to host a Tigers double header on one afternoon, so we are delighted to be able to welcome them.

“We think having four teams here on one day will provide an exciting and interesting afternoon for supporters.

“The women’s team were blown away by the support from a 1,000-strong crowd for their first game at Mattioli Woods Welford Road last month and a double header gives all of our supporters a chance to see the team in action in a derby game against a Loughborough Town team who have also started strongly in the league season.”

Should be a fun day out and hopefully put some cash in the bank.

There's a "New Zealand XV" coming north to play the BaaBaas - you would've thought some clubs would be interested in hosting them for an extra game or two?

Puja

Puja wrote: ↑Thu Oct 20, 2022 4:45 pm There's a "New Zealand XV" coming north to play the BaaBaas - you would've thought some clubs would be interested in hosting them for an extra game or two?

Puja

The NZRU are famous for wanting chunky appearance fees though.

Marland Yarde has been selected for the Baabaas squad. Also confirmation that Lee Blackett will be head coach for matches against the Prem teams, if I’m reading it correctly.

His dad is called Scotland Yarde? WTF?

The Barbarians, who will play New Zealand on Sunday September 13th at Tottenham Hotspurs' ground, have included some exceptional players in their squad.
Firstly, there'll be coached by Scott Robertson and Ronan O'Gara, and among the players expected are Joe Marchant and Marler, Zach Mercer, Teddy Thomas, Camille Chat and Josua Tuisova.
Not to be missed!

Marler joins the Barbarians for the NZXV game.

Puja

Will Yarde be in that squad as well? Marler has publicly said he can't stand him so that might make the traditional pub visit a bit interesting once they've both had a few beers.

FKAS wrote: ↑Wed Nov 02, 2022 10:01 am Will Yarde be in that squad as well? Marler has publicly said he can't stand him so that might make the traditional pub visit a bit interesting once they've both had a few beers.

Hadn't considered that! I think Marler's only in for the NZXV game and I think it's the club ones that are being used to give unemployed players a showcase, so maybe not. Wouldn't hate it if Marler took the Carl Fearns/Gavin Henson approach to interpersonal disagreement solutions though.

Puja

Tigers Vs Italy A - looks like Steve is going for it, first half at least.

STARTING XV
15 Anthony Watson
14 Harry Potter
13 Guy Porter
12 Matt Scott
11 Nemani Nadolo
10 Freddie Burns (vc)
9 Richard Wigglesworth
1 James Cronin
2 Charlie Clare
3 Dan Cole (vc)
4 Harry Wells
5 Cameron Henderson
6 George Martin
7 Olly Cracknell
8 Hanro Liebenberg (c)

REPLACEMENTS: Tom Cowan-Dickie, Archie Vanes, Francois van Wyk, Will Hurd, Eli Snyman, Sean Jansen, Emeka Ilione; Sam Edwards, Charlie Atkinson, Jimmy Gopperth, Phil Cokanasiga, Joe Woodward, Marcus Ramage, Hosea Saumaki

Italian Select XV: 15 Lorenzo Pani, 14 Mattia Bellini, 13 Marco Zanon, 12 Filippo Drago, 11 Simone Gesi, 10 Leonardo Marin, 9 Nicolo Casilio; 1 Mirco Spagnolo, 2 Marco Manfredi, 3 Filippo Alongi, 4 Alessandro Ortombina, 5 Andrea Zambonin, 6 Giovanni Pettinelli (c), 7 Luca Andreani, 8 Davide Ruggeri

Replacements: 16 Lapo Frangini, 17 Luca Rizzoli, 18 Matteo Nocera, 19 Leonard Krumov, 20 Nicola Piantella, 21 Emilio Fusco, 22 Jacopo Trulla, 23 Nicolo Teneggi, 24 Giacomo Ferrari, 25 Ross Vintcent, 26 Giulio Bertaccini

Cipriani and Umaga are going to be playing for the BaaBaas apparently.

Squad vs NZ:

FORWARDS
Facundo Bosch (Bayonne, Argentina)
Camille Chat (Racing 92, France)
George Henri Colombe (Stade Rochelais)
Cedate Gomes Sa (Racing 92, France)
Joe Marler (Harlequins, England)
Zach Mercer (Montpellier, England)
John Ryan (Munster, Ireland)
Romain Sazy (Stade Rochelais)
Lekima Tagitagivalu (Section Paloise, Fiji)
Aaron Wainwright (Dragons, Wales)
Lauret Wenceslas (Racing 92, France)
Luke Whitelock (Section Paloise, New Zealand)

BACKS
George Bridge (Montpellier, New Zealand)
Antoine Hastoy (Stade Rochelais, France)
Tawera Kerr Barlow (Stade Rochelais, New Zealand)
Dillyn Leyds (Stade Rochelais, South Africa)
Joe Marchant (Harlequins, England)
Charlie Ngatai (Leinster, New Zealand)
Remi Picquette (Stade Rochelais)
Raymond Rhule (Stade Rochelais, South Africa)
Teddy Thomas (Stade Rochelais, France)
Rhys Webb (Ospreys, Wales)
Ihaia West (Toulon)

francoisfou wrote: ↑Fri Oct 28, 2022 10:58 am The Barbarians, who will play New Zealand on Sunday September 13th at Tottenham Hotspurs' ground, have included some exceptional players in their squad.
Firstly, there'll be coached by Scott Robertson and Ronan O'Gara, and among the players expected are Joe Marchant and Marler, Zach Mercer, Teddy Thomas, Camille Chat and Josua Tuisova.
Not to be missed!

That's a Crusaders combo that works very well. I just hope this isn't an audition for Robertson entering the England coaching setup.

Ronan bringing quite a few of his La Rochelle lads to the party. Hopefully the Baabaas play with that sense if adventure and Robertson sprinkles on some magic of his own. Should be a fun watch.

Morepork I think you're safe, the RFU has already decided the next head coach has to be English for no good reason.

francoisfou wrote: ↑Fri Oct 28, 2022 10:58 am The Barbarians, who will play New Zealand on Sunday September 13th at Tottenham Hotspurs' ground, have included some exceptional players in their squad.
Firstly, there'll be coached by Scott Robertson and Ronan O'Gara, and among the players expected are Joe Marchant and Marler, Zach Mercer, Teddy Thomas, Camille Chat and Josua Tuisova.
Not to be missed!

Edit - Sunday November 13th!

Loads of (ex... gulp) Wasps in the squad to face Saints.

COACHES
Geordan Murphy
John Mulvihill

FORWARDS
Will Boyde
Tim Cardall
Tom Cruse
Hika Elliot
Ben Harris
Brok Harris
Graham Kitchener
Murray McCallum
Ben Morris
Olly Robinson
John Ryan
Elliott Stooke
Tom Wood

BACKS
Luther Burrell
Danny Cipriani
Will Haydon-Wood
Jonah Holmes
Francois Hougaard
Perry Humphreys
Dan Robson
Gareth Simpson
Owen Williams
Marland Yarde