"I've got a semi" - Bath v Sale

[Which Tyler]

KO: Saturday 1st, 3.30pm
Ref: Luke Pearce
TJs: Tom Foley & Sara Cox
TMO: Stuart Terheege

I hope I'm wrong, but I think this might be as far as we go. I think we're better than Sale, but we're also the least experienced SF team at knock-out rugby, which counts for a lot at this level.

[Epaminondas Pules]

I think, and same with Saints, that if you play to their strengths and get caught in a one out battle then they'll have an edge. Just cause both Sale and Sarries want you to attack that way. Their defence is set for one out plays. I cant see Russell going that way though. I think you'll go through*


* that's just fucked it for you. Sorry

[Epaminondas Pules]

Sale Sharks Starting XV:  

15. Joe Carpenter, 14. Tom Roebuck, 13. Sam James, 12. Rob du Preez, 11. Tom O’Flaherty, 10. George Ford, 9. Gus Warr, 1. Bevan Rodd, 2. Tommy Taylor, 3. James Harper, 4. Cobus Wiese, 5. Hyron Andrews, 6. Ben Curry ©, 7. Sam Dugdale, 8. JL du Preez.  

Replacements:  

16. Agustin Creevy, 17. Si McIntyre, 18. WillGriff John, 19. Ben Bamber, 20. Ernst van Rhyn, 21. Raffi Quirke, 22. Luke James, 23. Tom Curry.

[Danno]

That's an... interesting name in the 23 shirt.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Bath Rugby XV: 1 Beno Obano, 2 Tom Dunn, 3 Thomas du Toit, 4 Quinn Roux, 5 Charlie Ewels, 6 Ted Hill, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Alfie Barbeary, 9 Ben Spencer (c), 10 Finn Russell, 11 Will Muir, 12 Cameron Redpath, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 15 Matt Gallagher

Replacements: 16 Niall Annett, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Elliott Stooke, 20 Josh Bayliss, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Orlando Bailey, 23 Miles Reid

[Oakboy]

Is Tuilagi injured again?

[Which Tyler]

Is Tuilagi injured again?

Hamstring wasn't it?

[Puja]

Is Tuilagi injured again?

Hamstring wasn't it?

Yeah, pulled up in the Saracens game.

Puja

[FKAS]

So that's all four semi final teams going with a 6-2 bench split. Bloody Boks always set trends after they win a world cup.

Interesting that Sale have named the 12 and 13 that way round. I'd guess that's how they'll defend but in attack they'll probably use James in the normal 12 role. Unless they've tweaked the attack especially for the playoffs to try and do something different. I hope it is.

George Vs Fin is always going to be a good watch.

[fivepointer]

Sale finishing the season in very good form but home advantage just might be the deciding factor.

Lots of good individual 1v1's, notably the 4 wingers and 10's.

[Banquo]

If Bath get any sort of quick ball you'd think they could shred the sale backs.

Creevy on the bench a real nod to the future (he is bloody good tho)

[p/d]

That's an... interesting name in the 23 shirt.

Bloody marvellous. Fingers crossed he smacks the f??k out of Bath when he comes on!!!

[Which Tyler]

Hope it's as entertaining as today's match.
And a more comfortable home win.

ETA MUCH more comfortable HOME win

[Which Tyler]

Nice clear out by Ford on Dunn there

[twitchy]

Cows on the line.

[twitchy]

Great try. Bath playing well.

[Which Tyler]

Huzzah!

[Mikey Brown]

The BBC update thing now says Curtis on the bench and no Tom Curry. Have they mentioned that at all? Was that just an error on the team posted here that I somehow took as being legit?

[FKAS]

Bath are getting round the corner of the Sale defence very quickly. Sale's defence getting pulled side to side are becoming disjointed and then when Bath go wide they are picking off the wide defenders who often aren't backs.

[FKAS]

Great kick to the corner by Ford and then Sale's forwards do well to splinter off twice to keep the maul going.

[FKAS]

The BBC update thing now says Curtis on the bench and no Tom Curry. Have they mentioned that at all? Was that just an error on the team posted here that I somehow took as being legit?

I missed the team announcements at the start of the game but the commentator has mentioned TCurry being on the bench. Didn't catch the full comment mind.

[Which Tyler]

Love a 50:22

[twitchy]

Bath look great. Sale seem to be lacking their usual physicality/intensity?

[Which Tyler]

Some good acting and aggression Sale though

[twitchy]

I thought they had scored then from the camera angle.