Bristol v Bath

[jimKRFC]

Bristol:

15. Rich Lane (31 apps), 14. Noah Heward (15 apps), 13. Benhard Janse van Rensburg (17 apps), 12. James Williams (34 apps) 11. Gabriel Ibitoye (33 apps), 10. AJ MacGinty (30 apps), 9. Harry Randall (118 apps); 1. Jake Woolmore (145 apps) 2. Will Capon (84 apps), 3. Kyle Sinckler (53 apps), 4. James Dun (27 apps), 5. Joe Batley (56 apps), 6. Steven Luatua (122 apps), 7. Fitz Harding (64 apps) (c), 8. Magnus Bradbury (37 apps).

Subs: 16. Fred Davies (10 apps), 17. Sam Grahamslaw (7 apps), 18. Max Lahiff (80 apps), 19. Josh Caulfield (19 apps), 20. Jake Heenan (104 apps), 21. Kieran Marmion (17 apps), 22. Virimi Vakatawa (13 apps), 23. Siva Naulago (27 apps).

Unavailable: Ellis Genge, Yann Thomas, George Kloska, Harry Thacker, Gabriel Oghre, Chris Vui, Santiago Grondona, Callum Sheedy, Jack Bates, Max Malins.

Bath Rugby: 1 Juan Schoeman, 2 Tom Dunn, 3 Thomas du Toit, 4 Elliott Stooke, 5 Quinn Roux, 6 GJ van Velze (c), 7 Miles Reid, 8 Jaco Coetzee, 9 Louis Schreuder, 10 Finn Russell, 11 Matt Gallagher, 12 Will Butt, 13 Cameron Redpath, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 15 Tom de Glanville

Replacements: 16 Niall Annett, 17 Arthur Cordwell, 18 Archie Griffin, 19 Josh McNally, 20 Josh Bayliss, 21 Tom Carr-Smith, 22 Orlando Bailey, 23 Chris Cloete

Despite call ups going Bristol's way, Bristol also a little depleted for this with our 2 best props and hookers out, our best lock and main 10 and 15 missing.

TBH even if we weren't missing a bunch of players Bath would still win given how we're playing at the moment. Although with Siva's return we can at least play "how long will he last" again!

[fivepointer]

Thats a pretty good looking team Bath can put out despite their England call ups.

Bristol might just have a touch more on the bench which may prove decisive.

[Which Tyler]

McNally and Cloete for 20 minutes are good for a free 6 points each to Bristol, and entirely possible a yellow for Bath

[Banquo]

Thats a pretty good looking team Bath can put out despite their England call ups.

Bristol might just have a touch more on the bench which may prove decisive.

yet Ewan Richards not released to us, bizarre.

[FKAS]

Thats a pretty good looking team Bath can put out despite their England call ups.

Bristol might just have a touch more on the bench which may prove decisive.

yet Ewan Richards not released to us, bizarre.

Must be a travelling reserve. Probably frustrating for him not to get a game either way.

[Banquo]

Thats a pretty good looking team Bath can put out despite their England call ups.

Bristol might just have a touch more on the bench which may prove decisive.

yet Ewan Richards not released to us, bizarre.

Must be a travelling reserve. Probably frustrating for him not to get a game either way.

mebbe. Not specified.

[Which Tyler]

Also possible that, as we got him back last week, we want to keep him for this mini-pre-season during the 6N period, and intend to use him more afterwards.
Would seem that he'd be better off still getting game-time, but it's one of those that there's nothing we can really do, except trust that the coaches (or both teams) know what they're doing. Not sending him back would be an active choice, not a passive forgetfulness.

[Banquo]

Also possible that, as we got him back last week, we want to keep him for this mini-pre-season during the 6N period, and intend to use him more afterwards.
Would seem that he'd be better off still getting game-time, but it's one of those that there's nothing we can really do, except trust that the coaches (or both teams) know what they're doing. Not sending him back would be an active choice, not a passive forgetfulness.

In fairness, you got him back three weeks ago. When I said not specified, there was no specific reason given for call back (though as he came on off the bench its pretty obvious ), nor for not being released despite asking. Its just a bit irritating going week to week, but thats the way it isnt governed at present.

[Which Tyler]

TBF, he's been back and forth quite a bit, getting a game for Bath about every 4th week. I assume he's mostly been sent back to yourselves in between - except for this time apparently.

[Which Tyler]

Start as you mean to go on.



Also, I love it when Austin is in analyst road, almost as much as I hate it when he's in panto comedian mode

[twitchy]

Fun start.

[Which Tyler]

Nice from Bristol there.

Commit the defender, and pass the ball.

Jealous of Lane's stutter-step

[Which Tyler]

He's gotta get lower.
Red last year, who TF knows this year, stil should be red if WR hadn't duckwd out of their responsibility

[Mellsblue]

Lurve watching Bristol play like this.
Why three Bath players let Randall secure the ball at that ruck without countering I’ll never know.

[Which Tyler]

Stupid stupid stupid!
WTF was he thinking?

[p/d]

When the Maestro wears XV the orchestra hums!!!

[Mr Mwenda]

I am impressed that they have made tmo decisions even shitter by referring to each other by nicknames.

[twitchy]

What a game.

[Mellsblue]

What does Healey not understand about the fact that if ref rules ‘no try’ then the replays must show the ball being grounded.
Add in his constant moaning about the ref’s decisions and he’s annoying to listen to.
And not knowing the laws about where the pen is taken from if a foul is committed on a kicker.
I wonder if the production company ever ask viewers for their thoughts on the analysts…

[Mellsblue]

Russell needs to stay in his RICH LANE!!!

[Mr Mwenda]

RICH LANE!!!!!!!!!!

[Mellsblue]

What. A. Game.
Pure entertainment.
I thought Sam Coleslaw was quality when he came on.

[fivepointer]

Cracking game.
Some thrilling tries, a great comeback, TMO dramas, yellow cards, high octane play, missed kicks and a final try for RICH LANE!!! Frankly it had everything.
The back 5 of the Bristol scrum were fantastic. Harding led superbly but Batley showed yet again what a tremendous workhorse he is.

[jimKRFC]

Just back from the game - can any explain Hewards yellow?

The replays in the ground didn't appear to show anything. Seemed to take ages and the crowd were all puzzled. Looked a clear try and we're joking he was looking to yellow Bris for whatever he could...

[Which Tyler]

Ref:s on field was held up.
TV angles showed it was probably a try, but couldn't categorically prove it, so you go with held up.

Go back to the thousandth (well, ish) offside of a player who played a big part in the tackle. So penalty try and automatic yellow card.