RugbyRebels

Ref: Anthony Woodthorpe
TJs: Jonathan Cook and Greg Macdonald
TMO: David Rose

Exeter Chiefs:
15 Josh Hodge
14 Ben Hammersley
13 Henry Slade
12 Joe Hawkins
11 Paul Brown-Bampoe
10 Harvey Skinner
9 Tom Cairns

1 Scott Sio
2 Jack Yeandle
3 Marcus Street
4 Rusi Tuima
5 Dafydd Jenkins (c)
6 Martin Moloney
7 Richard Capstick
8 Greg Fisilau

16 Max Norey, 17 Kwenzo Blose, 18 Jimmy Roots, 19 Jacques Vermeulen, 20 Ross Vintcent
21 Niall Armstrong, 22 Will Haydon-Wood, 23 Will Rigg

Bath:
15 Tom de Glanville
14 Ruaridh McConnochie
13 Max Ojomoh
12 Cameron Redpath
11 Will Muir
10 Finn Russell
9 Ben Spencer

1 Francois van Wyk
2 Niall Annett
3 Thomas du Toit
4 Ewan Richards
5 Charlie Ewels
6 Josh Bayliss
7 Miles Reid
8 Arthur Green

16 Tom Dunn, 17 Beno Obano, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Ross Molony, 20 Ted Hill, 23 Alfie Barbeary
21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Orlando Bailey

That's stronger than I'd expected, despite the rotation.
Didn't think we'd see both Ben and Finn both starting excepting knock out rugby now - if only because of Finn's sheer match time this year

Nice to see Green getting a start for Bath. Thought he looked very good in a couple of PRC games. Richards featuring is a good to see too.

Which Tyler wrote: ↑Fri Apr 18, 2025 12:27 pm Didn't think we'd see both Ben and Finn both starting excepting knock out rugby now - if only because of Finn's sheer match time this year

Well, it's just been confirmed by the Lions coaching announcements that Russell's now got the summer off, so he possibly wants to get some game time in while he can.

Puja

Puja wrote: ↑Fri Apr 18, 2025 2:49 pm

Which Tyler wrote: ↑Fri Apr 18, 2025 12:27 pm Didn't think we'd see both Ben and Finn both starting excepting knock out rugby now - if only because of Finn's sheer match time this year

Well, it's just been confirmed by the Lions coaching announcements that Russell's now got the summer off, so he possibly wants to get some game time in while he can.

Puja

Seriously??

Danno wrote: ↑Fri Apr 18, 2025 4:22 pm

Puja wrote: ↑Fri Apr 18, 2025 2:49 pm

Which Tyler wrote: ↑Fri Apr 18, 2025 12:27 pm Didn't think we'd see both Ben and Finn both starting excepting knock out rugby now - if only because of Finn's sheer match time this year

Well, it's just been confirmed by the Lions coaching announcements that Russell's now got the summer off, so he possibly wants to get some game time in while he can.

Puja

Seriously??

Referring to Sexton being named Lions coach, given he's previously been very open in his disdain for Russell's ability and spoke as a pundit earlier this year about how he'd select Fazlet for the Lions. It was meant to be a joke, but it might end up cutting a bit close to the truth...

Puja

Ah gotcha.

A weird feud* really, it's not like Sco ever really get close to beating Ireland

*and one sided? I don't recall Russell ever bitching about Sexton

Danno wrote: ↑Fri Apr 18, 2025 5:07 pm Ah gotcha.

A weird feud* really, it's not like Sco ever really get close to beating Ireland

*and one sided? I don't recall Russell ever bitching about Sexton

IIRC it's because Sexton considered himself a shoo-in for the last Lions tour and was actively insulted that Russell was selected ahead of him, as he regarded him as a Fancy-Dan with a highlights reel but no substance to him, who was vastly overhyped by the press. And, four years ago, there was a little bit of truth to that.

However, it's wild that he's clung firmly to that grudge and repeats that same opinion now, even when it's patently untrue.

Worth noting that MSmith was also selected ahead of Sexton as the Lions injury replacement and could be described in a similar vein, so possibly not great news for his summer hopes either.

Puja

Puja wrote: ↑Fri Apr 18, 2025 9:31 pm

Danno wrote: ↑Fri Apr 18, 2025 5:07 pm Ah gotcha.

A weird feud* really, it's not like Sco ever really get close to beating Ireland

*and one sided? I don't recall Russell ever bitching about Sexton

IIRC it's because Sexton considered himself a shoo-in for the last Lions tour and was actively insulted that Russell was selected ahead of him, as he regarded him as a Fancy-Dan with a highlights reel but no substance to him, who was vastly overhyped by the press. And, four years ago, there was a little bit of truth to that.

However, it's wild that he's clung firmly to that grudge and repeats that same opinion now, even when it's patently untrue.

Worth noting that MSmith was also selected ahead of Sexton as the Lions injury replacement and could be described in a similar vein, so possibly not great news for his summer hopes either.

Puja

when did sexton last go on the record?

Puja wrote: ↑Fri Apr 18, 2025 9:31 pm

Danno wrote: ↑Fri Apr 18, 2025 5:07 pm Ah gotcha.

A weird feud* really, it's not like Sco ever really get close to beating Ireland

*and one sided? I don't recall Russell ever bitching about Sexton

IIRC it's because Sexton considered himself a shoo-in for the last Lions tour and was actively insulted that Russell was selected ahead of him, as he regarded him as a Fancy-Dan with a highlights reel but no substance to him, who was vastly overhyped by the press. And, four years ago, there was a little bit of truth to that.

However, it's wild that he's clung firmly to that grudge and repeats that same opinion now, even when it's patently untrue.

Worth noting that MSmith was also selected ahead of Sexton as the Lions injury replacement and could be described in a similar vein, so possibly not great news for his summer hopes either.

Puja

Oddly misdirected anger, even before you get as far as Gatland, Biggar was taking up Sexton's air in terms of style imo.

I don't think Farrell is going to stand for any nonsense though, if he wants a player he'll take them

Banquo wrote: ↑Fri Apr 18, 2025 10:09 pm

Puja wrote: ↑Fri Apr 18, 2025 9:31 pm

Danno wrote: ↑Fri Apr 18, 2025 5:07 pm Ah gotcha.

A weird feud* really, it's not like Sco ever really get close to beating Ireland

*and one sided? I don't recall Russell ever bitching about Sexton

IIRC it's because Sexton considered himself a shoo-in for the last Lions tour and was actively insulted that Russell was selected ahead of him, as he regarded him as a Fancy-Dan with a highlights reel but no substance to him, who was vastly overhyped by the press. And, four years ago, there was a little bit of truth to that.

However, it's wild that he's clung firmly to that grudge and repeats that same opinion now, even when it's patently untrue.

Worth noting that MSmith was also selected ahead of Sexton as the Lions injury replacement and could be described in a similar vein, so possibly not great news for his summer hopes either.

Puja

when did sexton last go on the record?

During this 6N, IIRC (which is not to be guaranteed).

Puja

Exeter still look seriously sub-standard at 9, 10 and 12. They are ordinary, at best, at 1, 3, 6 and 7.

Overall, this was a great game. The quality of Bath's five forward replacements gave them the edge. Exeter's back three came close to stealing it. Brown-Bampoe is not that far behind IFW.

Thought both starting 8s had superb games. Both very prominent. Fisilau doing to work of about three forwards! Green had a cracking first Prem start!!

I really like what ive seen of P B-B. Took his 2 tries nicely yesterday.

fivepointer wrote: ↑Sun Apr 20, 2025 9:00 am I really like what ive seen of P B-B. Took his 2 tries nicely yesterday.

He's a hell of an athlete - has the raw materials for sure

Haven't seen too much of him personally, but he seems like he's got potential

TheNomad wrote: ↑Tue Apr 22, 2025 5:35 pm

fivepointer wrote: ↑Sun Apr 20, 2025 9:00 am I really like what ive seen of P B-B. Took his 2 tries nicely yesterday.

He's a hell of an athlete - has the raw materials for sure

Haven't seen too much of him personally, but he seems like he's got potential

He's big and rapid. He's come from BUCS rugby and his scoring rate is impressive for his first season in professional rugby and for a team at the foot of the season.

Tournaments Matches Starter Tries
Premiership 9 8 / 9 4
Premiership Rugby Cup 8 7 / 8 11
Champions Cup 2 2 / 2 3

Great deal for Chiefs bringing him in.

FKAS wrote: ↑Tue Apr 22, 2025 9:28 pm

TheNomad wrote: ↑Tue Apr 22, 2025 5:35 pm

fivepointer wrote: ↑Sun Apr 20, 2025 9:00 am I really like what ive seen of P B-B. Took his 2 tries nicely yesterday.

He's a hell of an athlete - has the raw materials for sure

Haven't seen too much of him personally, but he seems like he's got potential

He's big and rapid. He's come from BUCS rugby and his scoring rate is impressive for his first season in professional rugby and for a team at the foot of the season.

Tournaments Matches Starter Tries
Premiership 9 8 / 9 4
Premiership Rugby Cup 8 7 / 8 11
Champions Cup 2 2 / 2 3

Great deal for Chiefs bringing him in.

It is odd that Exeter have a cracking group of 11/14/15 players but can't scrape up even half-decent 9/10/12 guys.

You don’t rate Cairns and Skinner?!