Bath
REDEMPTION TIME: BATH V EXETER
Pepper: prominent
By Rokobilly
September 29 2026
Whoever drew up Bath’s fixtures for the start of the season clearly has an eye for a good story. 108 days after the most famous drop goal that never was, back we all go to The Rec for a repeat fixture against Exeter. Redemption time. Except, of course, not all victories are created equal. A win on Friday won’t make up for that expensive day out sitting on broken trains just to watch Saints beat Chiefs at Twickenham.
Exeter finished last season as the Prem’s form club and one seemingly on the right road to silverware having largely disbanded the team that brought them the Prem and European Double back in 2020. Baxter’s Midas touch was seemingly back and was being supported by considerable off the pitch investment. The future at Junction 30 of the M5 looked very bright indeed.
All of which will mean their result in round one will be incredibly frustrating for all concerned. A record defeat at home to Gloucester was not in the plan. Of particular concern will be the defence out wide.
Gloucester made hay with cross field kicks with the Chiefs back three defence worryingly out of sorts. For all Feyi-Waboso’s talents with the ball, he won’t have enjoyed watching his ‘tackle’ on Will Joseph during Monday’s video review.
You can bet Finn will have taken notice of the space Gloucester exploited.
Injuries have certainly had an impact on Exeter’s back three: Cam Ridl, so impressive in last season, has ruptured an ACL and fellow wing Paul Brown-Bampoe is recovering from heel surgery.
At the other end of the team sheet the re-signed Georgian prop Nika Abuladze has pulled a calf weakening the scrum. More important than any of the above might be the unavailability of the influential Aussie pair who starred in the Chief’s run to the final. Tom Hooper will be back later in the season but Len Ikitau has returned to the Brumbies.
The Sandy Park bubble of pre-season positivity may have burst but no doubt they will travel fully motivated to get back on track and well aware that Bath have a shown a soft underbelly in recent meetings.
Which brings us to the Blue Black and Whites. Unlike Exeter we banked five league points last week in what was ultimately a comfortable but far from perfect start to the season. Most of Quins points came from broken play and most of Bath’s from a powerful maul. Those of us looking forward to a revamped attacking shape were frustrated by repeated scrappy errors. “Room for improvement” would be a fair assessment in that department.
What might be more important this week is our half-backs ability to control the game and the narrative in Ben Spencer’s absence. Twice last year we threw away four try leads at home to Exeter and even if we start quickly again on Friday, our opponents will feel they are still in the game.
Paul O’Connell once described elite rugby as the art of making excellent decisions whilst under immense physical and mental pressure. Leadership matters and we need our older heads to be there and thinking clearly in the final quarter.
Russell is obviously key in this area but he will need his 9s to play their part and some of the more grizzled forwards to step up too.
The latest Bath injury update had bad news for Sam Underhill who joins Jamie Bhatti on the long-term rehab list. Vilikesa Sela is out until late November. In the backs Spencer, Muir and Hennessy are all some weeks away and Arundell is unlikely to be risked.
That suggests we might see a similar back line to the one at Quins but a few changes in the pack. I’d expect Dunn, Roux and Pepper to play prominent roles.
Finally, a word for two former Bath players who may make the Exeter XXIII. I am sure we all hope Will Butt and Sam Harris have very successful seasons in Devon, but should they be selected, absolute stinkers on Friday night. Save the MOTM performances for Saints and Sarries, lads.
COYB.
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StumbleuponREDEMPTION TIME: BATH V EXETER. TEAM UP!
Discussion started by Comeonmylovers.co.uk (IP Logged), 29/09/2026 22:07
29/09/2026 22:07
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:10:01:11:57:51 by P G Tips.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:10:01:11:57:51 by P G Tips.
Thanks Roko
Sums it up nicely. Chiefs will be seething about last week and desperate to show their mettle. Baxter has already issued a rallying cry. Expect them to come out snorting.
I expect they will provide a sterner physical test up front than Quins did so the likes of Roux, Dunn, Pepper (possibly Coetzee too) may well be called on. Certainly our back 5 forwards last week would appear lightweight against a traditional Chiefs pack.
It seems illness may have played a part in Exeter's woes last week. We certainly cannot afford any whiff of complacency.
Maybe somebody has been practising a drop goal?
PG
Sums it up nicely. Chiefs will be seething about last week and desperate to show their mettle. Baxter has already issued a rallying cry. Expect them to come out snorting.
I expect they will provide a sterner physical test up front than Quins did so the likes of Roux, Dunn, Pepper (possibly Coetzee too) may well be called on. Certainly our back 5 forwards last week would appear lightweight against a traditional Chiefs pack.
It seems illness may have played a part in Exeter's woes last week. We certainly cannot afford any whiff of complacency.
Maybe somebody has been practising a drop goal?
PG
All we need is a couple of spectacular tries from Santi and it will be job done......
Agree on the selection chat here - would be very surprised if we don't deploy Dunn and Roux for this one. Redpath too maybe given the likely number of big midfield carries we'll face.
Mentioned in another thread but if Arundell not ready I would like to see Offiah or Griffin get an opportunity. No major objections to de Glanville on the wing and understand getting senior pros into the side but also think we need to start having a look at these prospects.
Baxter loves a back row selection of the three biggest lads he can manage so think the likes of Pepper, Bayliss and Reid will have important jobs at whatever point in the game they feature to get their opposite numbers working hard in the other direction
Expect Exeter to really make us work for it as they usually do but missing PBB, Ridl, Ikitau, Hooper and Zambonin makes them a very different prospect to the team we faced in that semi so we should have a bit too much for them this week and be able to get the points
Mentioned in another thread but if Arundell not ready I would like to see Offiah or Griffin get an opportunity. No major objections to de Glanville on the wing and understand getting senior pros into the side but also think we need to start having a look at these prospects.
Baxter loves a back row selection of the three biggest lads he can manage so think the likes of Pepper, Bayliss and Reid will have important jobs at whatever point in the game they feature to get their opposite numbers working hard in the other direction
Expect Exeter to really make us work for it as they usually do but missing PBB, Ridl, Ikitau, Hooper and Zambonin makes them a very different prospect to the team we faced in that semi so we should have a bit too much for them this week and be able to get the points
Interesting comment from JvG in the injury update [www.somersetlive.co.uk]:
"If you go 7:1 or 6:2 you want your backs to be able to stay on the field for 80 minutes" Team selection could throw up a surprise or two if he's thinking of a 7:1 bench.
"If you go 7:1 or 6:2 you want your backs to be able to stay on the field for 80 minutes" Team selection could throw up a surprise or two if he's thinking of a 7:1 bench.
I think the cards are definitely in your favour this Friday.
The Exeter team that beat you at the Rec last season was a very different one to this and we are nowhere near the performance levels we were at last season.
The illness in our camp has been touched upon but it has been compounded by the fact this is a short turnaround week for us so we also have one day less recovery which with the illness going around is the last thing we need!
The bug cant be blamed for all of the issues we had last weekend. Bug or not we didn't play well but one thing i have learned is to never completely write us off but as it stands now i will be happy with a reaction to the performance last week and maybe a point or being greedy 2 points!
The Exeter team that beat you at the Rec last season was a very different one to this and we are nowhere near the performance levels we were at last season.
The illness in our camp has been touched upon but it has been compounded by the fact this is a short turnaround week for us so we also have one day less recovery which with the illness going around is the last thing we need!
The bug cant be blamed for all of the issues we had last weekend. Bug or not we didn't play well but one thing i have learned is to never completely write us off but as it stands now i will be happy with a reaction to the performance last week and maybe a point or being greedy 2 points!
Nice write up Roko. Agree with TRS - be amazed if all 3 of those aren't in from the start.
Without Unders, I'd have a beefy backrow of Hill, Pepper and DdP with Reid and Bayliss off the bench. Possibly Coetzee at 23 if available.
In the backs, if Arundel doesn’t make it I wonder if we could see Santi on the wing. TdG is the best defensive 15 and Santi coming in-field cutting lines off Finn/Mojo could spring a few surprises.
I'd also be tempted to start BvdL in this one. The physical battle upfront will be more evenly matched this week. A 9 with an eye for a break and more of a zip to his pass will facilitate a more open game, which is what we want this week I feel.
Without Unders, I'd have a beefy backrow of Hill, Pepper and DdP with Reid and Bayliss off the bench. Possibly Coetzee at 23 if available.
In the backs, if Arundel doesn’t make it I wonder if we could see Santi on the wing. TdG is the best defensive 15 and Santi coming in-field cutting lines off Finn/Mojo could spring a few surprises.
I'd also be tempted to start BvdL in this one. The physical battle upfront will be more evenly matched this week. A 9 with an eye for a break and more of a zip to his pass will facilitate a more open game, which is what we want this week I feel.
Lots of decisions to make- dont think i would stray too far from last weeks selection.
Santi
Tdg
Lawrence
Mojo
Big joe
Finn
Tcs
Beno
Dunn
Stuart
Roux
Ewels
Hill
Pepper
Du preez
Bench: kepu, kirk, griffin, richards, reid, bvdl, cam, bayliss
Like TRS i would not be upset to see aomeone like griffin on the wing
Santi
Tdg
Lawrence
Mojo
Big joe
Finn
Tcs
Beno
Dunn
Stuart
Roux
Ewels
Hill
Pepper
Du preez
Bench: kepu, kirk, griffin, richards, reid, bvdl, cam, bayliss
Like TRS i would not be upset to see aomeone like griffin on the wing
Team Up:
Bath Rugby: 15 Ciaran Donoghue, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Cameron Redpath, 1 Tom de Glanville, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Bernard van der Linde,; 1 Beno Obano, 2 Tom Dunn, 3 Will Stuart, 4 Quinn Roux, 5 Charlie Ewels (c), 6 Ewan Richards, 7 Guy Pepper, 8 Dan du Preez
Replacements: 16 Dan Frost, 17 Scott Kirk, 18 Archie Griffin, 19 Ted Hill, 20 Miles Reid, 21 Tom Carr-Smith, 22 Max Ojomoh, 23 Jaco Coetzee
PG
Bath Rugby: 15 Ciaran Donoghue, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Cameron Redpath, 1 Tom de Glanville, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Bernard van der Linde,; 1 Beno Obano, 2 Tom Dunn, 3 Will Stuart, 4 Quinn Roux, 5 Charlie Ewels (c), 6 Ewan Richards, 7 Guy Pepper, 8 Dan du Preez
Replacements: 16 Dan Frost, 17 Scott Kirk, 18 Archie Griffin, 19 Ted Hill, 20 Miles Reid, 21 Tom Carr-Smith, 22 Max Ojomoh, 23 Jaco Coetzee
PG
Exeter Chiefs: 15 Olly Woodburn, 14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Will Butt, 11 Tommy Wyatt, 10 Harvey Skinner, 9 Stephen Varney; 1 Ethan Burger, 2 Jack Yeandle, 3 Josh Iosefa-Scott, 4 Harry Wilson, 5 Dafydd Jenkins (c), 6 Ethan Roots, 7 Kane James, 8 Greg Fisilau
Replacements: 16 Louie Gulley, 17 Will Goodrick-Clarke, 18 Bachuki Tchumbadze, 19 Oscar Beckerleg, 20 Finn Worley Brady, 21 Sam Wolstenholme, 22 Will Haydon-Wood,23 Zack Wimbush
Replacements: 16 Louie Gulley, 17 Will Goodrick-Clarke, 18 Bachuki Tchumbadze, 19 Oscar Beckerleg, 20 Finn Worley Brady, 21 Sam Wolstenholme, 22 Will Haydon-Wood,23 Zack Wimbush
Lots to like in that team. Dunn, Roux and Redpath back as expected to make us more robust, backrow seems to be picked with a view to going after their lack of line out options and BvdL + Donoghue brings some serious gas to procedings.
Above all else though it's fantastic to see Jaco back in a Bath shirt. Bloke has been through it with injuries but a top drawer carrier when he's firing. You would hope he's part of a bench that is too much for Exeter in the final third as their depth is really lacking at the moment
Above all else though it's fantastic to see Jaco back in a Bath shirt. Bloke has been through it with injuries but a top drawer carrier when he's firing. You would hope he's part of a bench that is too much for Exeter in the final third as their depth is really lacking at the moment
That Chiefs lineup does not look all that weakened.
We will need to be on this for the full 80.
COYB!
PG
We will need to be on this for the full 80.
COYB!
PG
Exeter missing:-
Hooper (returning from Int Duty)
Ridl (out for the Season)
PBB (injured)
Zambonin (injured)
Vintcent (injured)
Pearson (injured)
Hooper (returning from Int Duty)
Ridl (out for the Season)
PBB (injured)
Zambonin (injured)
Vintcent (injured)
Pearson (injured)
He needs time to practise his kick interceptions! I guess he is being rested having had a busy summer and autumn internationals to come. Don't want to flog him into the ground and we do have plenty of good backups.
Quote:tigersimon
Exeter missing:-
Hooper (returning from Int Duty)
Ridl (out for the Season)
PBB (injured)
Zambonin (injured)
Vintcent (injured)
Pearson (injured)
Nika Abuladze too
Is Brown Bampoe still there?
Tyler Offiah
Opinion is based on assumptions, whereas fact is based on observation or research.
Quote:P G Tips
Team Up:
Bath Rugby: 15 Ciaran Donoghue ... 1 Tom de Glanville ... 8 Dan du Preez
PG
I know Chiefs scrum didn't look up to much last weekend but that would seem a big call.
Quote:shipwrecked
Is Brown Bampoe still there?
Yes still at Chief's, Paul Brown-Bampoe recovering from surgery on his heel.
Quote:theredseatQuote:tigersimon
Exeter missing:-
Hooper (returning from Int Duty)
Ridl (out for the Season)
PBB (injured)
Zambonin (injured)
Vintcent (injured)
Pearson (injured)
Nika Abuladze too
👍
Quote:tigersimonQuote:theredseatQuote:tigersimon
Exeter missing:-
Hooper (returning from Int Duty)
Ridl (out for the Season)
PBB (injured)
Zambonin (injured)
Vintcent (injured)
Pearson (injured)
Nika Abuladze too
👍
We are also missing our 2 hookers from the semi too.
Norey and Dweba.
Our good run at the end of last season coincided with Norey starting.and Dwebs off the bench.
Hopefully our squad will thicken out in the next month or so.....
Quote:Zyder headQuote:tigersimonQuote:theredseatQuote:tigersimon
Exeter missing:-
Hooper (returning from Int Duty)
Ridl (out for the Season)
PBB (injured)
Zambonin (injured)
Vintcent (injured)
Pearson (injured)
Nika Abuladze too
👍
We are also missing our 2 hookers from the semi too.
Norey and Dweba.
Our good run at the end of last season coincided with Norey starting.and Dwebs off the bench.
Hopefully our squad will thicken out in the next month or so.....
Seems they’re not required rather than not available which seems a bit odd given where you were when the season ended
[www.planetrugby.com]
Appreciate that we're trying to build a squad but at the business end of last season our team didn't look fit. If players are continuously moved in and out of the match day squad how do they get match fitness.
Quote:theredseatQuote:Zyder headQuote:tigersimonQuote:theredseatQuote:tigersimon
Exeter missing:-
Hooper (returning from Int Duty)
Ridl (out for the Season)
PBB (injured)
Zambonin (injured)
Vintcent (injured)
Pearson (injured)
Nika Abuladze too
👍
We are also missing our 2 hookers from the semi too.
Norey and Dweba.
Our good run at the end of last season coincided with Norey starting.and Dwebs off the bench.
Hopefully our squad will thicken out in the next month or so.....
Seems they’re not required rather than not available which seems a bit odd given where you were when the season ended
[www.planetrugby.com]
That is odd?
Going on form we were probably at our best when we last played competitive rugby with those 2 playing?
Dweba especially had an excellent match in the final considering Norey went off early and Dweba then played 70 odd minutes in the heat!
If it ain't broke......
No Bayliss
Ted Hill on the bench
I guess its a long old season!
Ted Hill on the bench
I guess its a long old season!
No Bayliss or Santi - after last week - is indeed a bit puzzling. Carreras in particular as you'd imagine Quins win was a shot in the arm and presumably he's keen to right a few wrongs vs Exe at home. Perhaps he's got a knock.
Pleased to see BvdL starting. Think the two teams look pretty evenly matched but perhaps we have the edge when it comes to bench.
Finally, great to see Jaco back. At one point i genuinely thought a retirement announcement was on the cards but fair play to the guy. Hope he has a good outing and comes through unscathed.
Pleased to see BvdL starting. Think the two teams look pretty evenly matched but perhaps we have the edge when it comes to bench.
Finally, great to see Jaco back. At one point i genuinely thought a retirement announcement was on the cards but fair play to the guy. Hope he has a good outing and comes through unscathed.
Quote:OutsideBath
After last week how can Santi be left out?
my first thought - maybe he made the others look bad
I think it’s more likely to be planned rotation. Santi pretty much all summer with Argentina (last game as recently as 5 September). He’s got to have some time off fairly soon and JvG’s going to want him fit and firing for Europe in a couple of weeks.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:10:01:16:37:37 by Devonport Lad.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:10:01:16:37:37 by Devonport Lad.
Quote:Devonport Lad
I think it’s more likely to be planned rotation. Santi pretty much all summer with Argentina (last game as recently as 5 September). He’s got to have some time off fairly soon and JvG’s going to want him fit and firing for Europe in a couple of weeks.
Agree he needs a rest, but surely away to Saints next week is the more obvious time to give players a rest as we're not getting anything out of that game.
Clearly JvG has got pretty much everything right since he took over, but he usually goes strong for home games and that's not our strongest possible team.
Saints then Europe. I'm pretty relaxed about which squad is picked tbh, other than the 2 porps and Finn most of the players are interchangable IMO.
COYB!
[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]
COYB!
[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]
Complete speculation but I wonder if Santi has a negotiated stand down period he's entering now. If he has to take a block of games off maybe the fixtures made sense that he played Quins and took it now? Who knows until JvG confirms I suppose
Quote:Susanne
Interesting comment from JvG in the injury update [www.somersetlive.co.uk]:
"If you go 7:1 or 6:2 you want your backs to be able to stay on the field for 80 minutes" Team selection could throw up a surprise or two if he's thinking of a 7:1 bench.
Does he know that you are also allowed to pick 5:3?
I mean, its still a very strong line up.
I am surprised that Bayliss isnt starting, as he was one of the standout performers last week. I hope he isnt injured.
And yes no Carreras...
But I do love see younger players being given a chance, Donohague at full back is exciting but he hasnt played much there, but personally I think he suits that position more.
Excited to see Richards now getting more gametime. That is a very tall, beefy pack.
I am surprised that Bayliss isnt starting, as he was one of the standout performers last week. I hope he isnt injured.
And yes no Carreras...
But I do love see younger players being given a chance, Donohague at full back is exciting but he hasnt played much there, but personally I think he suits that position more.
Excited to see Richards now getting more gametime. That is a very tall, beefy pack.
I’m not at all convinced by this Exeter pessimism about the chances against us. They beat us most times last season and whilst we both lost last week there were plenty of concerns about our performance. I’m expecting Exeter to play very differently this week and we have to be well up for it.
Quote:Bath Hammer
I’m not at all convinced by this Exeter pessimism about the chances against us. They beat us most times last season and whilst we both lost last week there were plenty of concerns about our performance. I’m expecting Exeter to play very differently this week and we have to be well up for it.
I'm pretty sure we beat Quins last week.
... IMHO, of course.
Now in Honolulu
Quote:joethefanaticQuote:Bath Hammer
I’m not at all convinced by this Exeter pessimism about the chances against us. They beat us most times last season and whilst we both lost last week there were plenty of concerns about our performance. I’m expecting Exeter to play very differently this week and we have to be well up for it.
I'm pretty sure we beat Quins last week.
….and got maximum points and denied them any! Maybe the criticism on the match thread made it feel like a loss!
Quote:CoochieCooQuote:joethefanaticQuote:Bath Hammer
I’m not at all convinced by this Exeter pessimism about the chances against us. They beat us most times last season and whilst we both lost last week there were plenty of concerns about our performance. I’m expecting Exeter to play very differently this week and we have to be well up for it.
I'm pretty sure we beat Quins last week.
….and got maximum points and denied them any! Maybe the criticism on the match thread made it feel like a loss!
Going to be a long season if only getting 5pts is considered a loss!
Loving Richard's getting a go at 6- hope he takes his chance.
Big lumpy pack as we expected.
Think we need to be careful we dont stray too far from the template that worked so well for a few years ie brutally physical but able to be be clinical using a balanced game plan.
JC23 being back ensures there is plenty of bang off the bench.
Surprised by level of change but as others have suggested i expect we had a decent idea of squads through this first block- our friend venter has been vocal about mapping every sarries selections for several weeks.
Big lumpy pack as we expected.
Think we need to be careful we dont stray too far from the template that worked so well for a few years ie brutally physical but able to be be clinical using a balanced game plan.
JC23 being back ensures there is plenty of bang off the bench.
Surprised by level of change but as others have suggested i expect we had a decent idea of squads through this first block- our friend venter has been vocal about mapping every sarries selections for several weeks.
Quote:exbathballboy
But I do love see younger players being given a chance, Donohague at full back is exciting but he hasnt played much there, but personally I think he suits that position more.
He has played there loads, even for Bath:
- Fly-Half : 9 times ( Fly-Half 56% )
- Fullback : 7 times ( Fullback 44% )
He played there regularly at age grade (Millfield) and at Dings on loan.
[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]
Quote:BathMatt53Quote:exbathballboy
But I do love see younger players being given a chance, Donohague at full back is exciting but he hasnt played much there, but personally I think he suits that position more.
He has played there loads, even for Bath:
- Fly-Half : 9 times ( Fly-Half 56% )
- Fullback : 7 times ( Fullback 44% )
He played there regularly at age grade (Millfield) and at Dings on loan.
BM, you’re dead right. I think it might be fair to regard CD as a talented and experienced 15 who also plays 10 rather than simply being a 10 who can just fill in at 15.
I'm surprised at so many changes but assume JvG wants to give everyone a run out early on.
Will be fascinated if we send a "second team" to Saints next week, as we have done in recent times.
Will be fascinated if we send a "second team" to Saints next week, as we have done in recent times.
As an outsider the surprising thing for me is the change from what was a fast mobile pack (Hill in the Row, Bayliss at 6) last weekend to the ‘beefy’ , ‘lumpy’ pack tonight and to see if their is a change in game plan/style!
Good looking team and I don't mind the rotation. We've a deep squad- we should use it. Agree a little odd that our best forward and back from last week aren't in the XXIII, but we know JvG plans weeks in advance, so form doesn't really come into it. Bayliss also needs to be fresh so he can chase down the Saints back 3 next week!
Like the balance of the back row, especially always like seeing Richards at 6. BVDL will give the backs a bit more snap and just always so excited to see young Donoghue play, especially in more space at 15. Such a graceful runner, with great pace, and he could be a real handful on a dry night tonight.
Really feel like we owe them one! And I bet the squad feel that way too. The semi final will have really stung, so as much as JvG likes to keep (never too high, never too low) emotion out of it, I think our guys will be really revved up tonight. Can't wait!
Like the balance of the back row, especially always like seeing Richards at 6. BVDL will give the backs a bit more snap and just always so excited to see young Donoghue play, especially in more space at 15. Such a graceful runner, with great pace, and he could be a real handful on a dry night tonight.
Really feel like we owe them one! And I bet the squad feel that way too. The semi final will have really stung, so as much as JvG likes to keep (never too high, never too low) emotion out of it, I think our guys will be really revved up tonight. Can't wait!
Quote:tigersimon
As an outsider the surprising thing for me is the change from what was a fast mobile pack (Hill in the Row, Bayliss at 6) last weekend to the ‘beefy’ , ‘lumpy’ pack tonight and to see if their is a change in game plan/style!
Its just perception based on body shape I guess, their official stats being:
Ted Hill: 112 kg, 1.96 m;
Ewan Richards: 111 kg, 1.98 m.
And:
Josh Bayliss: 106 kg, 1.90m
Guy Pepper: 105 kg, 1.90 m
So very little between them and Richards and Pepper are hardly slow (although Hill and Bayliss are exceptionally fast).
[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]
Personally have concerns about the power of our pack this season to get the scrum dominance we had in 2025. Losing TDT is huge and I thought we'd add some bulk behind to compensate for losing him, but I guess the salary cap prevented this.
Will our pack have sufficient power tonight to give our backs the platform to do their stuff?
Whatever happens I'm sure Bath will entertain us like they have done so far under JvG.
Will our pack have sufficient power tonight to give our backs the platform to do their stuff?
Whatever happens I'm sure Bath will entertain us like they have done so far under JvG.
Quote:OutsideBath
Personally have concerns about the power of our pack this season to get the scrum dominance we had in 2025. Losing TDT is huge and I thought we'd add some bulk behind to compensate for losing him, but I guess the salary cap prevented this.
Will our pack have sufficient power tonight to give our backs the platform to do their stuff?
Whatever happens I'm sure Bath will entertain us like they have done so far under JvG.
Given the speed at which Enoch Opoku-Gyamfi is coming through I wouldn't be surprised to see him in the 23 over the likes of Ross Molony even this season. He may not be 145kgs any more (and the better rugby playre for it) but he's still a very large human being.
[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]
Quote:BathMatt53Quote:tigersimon
As an outsider the surprising thing for me is the change from what was a fast mobile pack (Hill in the Row, Bayliss at 6) last weekend to the ‘beefy’ , ‘lumpy’ pack tonight and to see if their is a change in game plan/style!
Its just perception based on body shape I guess, their official stats being:
Ted Hill: 112 kg, 1.96 m;
Ewan Richards: 111 kg, 1.98 m.
And:
Josh Bayliss: 106 kg, 1.90m
Guy Pepper: 105 kg, 1.90 m
So very little between them and Richards and Pepper are hardly slow (although Hill and Bayliss are exceptionally fast).
The comparison between roux in for hill and richards in for bayliss is a little more pronounced but your point stands that they are all v big and v v quick!
Changes mean slightly more bulk and slightly less pace but not a huge amount in it- richards has bulked up and lost a little pace but in full flow still great to watch
Worryingly, we look a bit tired 25 mins in. Hopefully it’s mind games. Rock solid defence.
Welcome back Will Stuart!!!
Welcome back Will Stuart!!!
Our aggressive line defence has turned their attack into ours and kept us in it. I hope our lungs turn up for the second half. It’s an ominous half time score for us.
Manny Feyi-Waboso has ghosts for legs.
Manny Feyi-Waboso has ghosts for legs.
Quote:Charlieboa1Quote:BathMatt53Quote:tigersimon
As an outsider the surprising thing for me is the change from what was a fast mobile pack (Hill in the Row, Bayliss at 6) last weekend to the ‘beefy’ , ‘lumpy’ pack tonight and to see if their is a change in game plan/style!
Its just perception based on body shape I guess, their official stats being:
Ted Hill: 112 kg, 1.96 m;
Ewan Richards: 111 kg, 1.98 m.
And:
Josh Bayliss: 106 kg, 1.90m
Guy Pepper: 105 kg, 1.90 m
So very little between them and Richards and Pepper are hardly slow (although Hill and Bayliss are exceptionally fast).
The comparison between roux in for hill and richards in for bayliss is a little more pronounced but your point stands that they are all v big and v v quick!
Changes mean slightly more bulk and slightly less pace but not a huge amount in it- richards has bulked up and lost a little pace but in full flow still great to watch
I do think Ted Hill in the 2nd row is just sub optimal for us. We played Josh B there occasionally a year or two ago which was also sub optimal but we may have been desperate. As a tight head lock i prefer a specialist in there. We seem to have the edge tonight so just finish the job boys...
Ciarran Donoghue not having the best of games tonight.
Tyler Offiah
Opinion is based on assumptions, whereas fact is based on observation or research.
Discipline and fitness… coming to haunt us again. Control the ball and own the game Bath.
Jeez ...this isnt an easy watch. Car-crash restarts, poor discipline...and against this opposition
If we are going to box-kick, we have to chase and compete properly ..or its just a pointless gift of possesion
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:10:02:21:12:16 by Pulteneyfan.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:10:02:21:12:16 by Pulteneyfan.
Quote:shipwrecked
Ciarran Donoghue not having the best of games tonight.
I think he's better at 10 than 15
20 horrible minutes, but otherwise decent. Way too many way too stupid penalties.
An ugly win. I love it. But I'm struggling to see us winning anything with this brand of rugby these days. The game has moved on and we look rather plodding even with Finn's genius
We cant give away that much posession through poor, uncontested box kicks and awful discipline.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:10:02:21:40:56 by Pulteneyfan.
We cant give away that much posession through poor, uncontested box kicks and awful discipline.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:10:02:21:40:56 by Pulteneyfan.
Great competitive game there – a classic derby encounter in many respects and ultimately decided by the yellow card.
Some real positives for us I thought. DDP looks sharp and motivated, Will Stuart is making up for lost time (and that was a monster scrum in the first half) and Jaco carrying hard and winning the turnovers again. Nice!
On the debit side, some familiar problems that blighted last season: silly penalties, going to sleep for a 20-minute period when the game was under control and Ollie continuing to look a shadow of his pre-injury self.
I know it’s early, but I’m not sure we have enough to challenge Saints this year, but we should make the play-offs. Let’s see.
Some real positives for us I thought. DDP looks sharp and motivated, Will Stuart is making up for lost time (and that was a monster scrum in the first half) and Jaco carrying hard and winning the turnovers again. Nice!
On the debit side, some familiar problems that blighted last season: silly penalties, going to sleep for a 20-minute period when the game was under control and Ollie continuing to look a shadow of his pre-injury self.
I know it’s early, but I’m not sure we have enough to challenge Saints this year, but we should make the play-offs. Let’s see.
Add the lineout to that as well Maxi Minimus, maybe it’s only in the crucial areas, but it feels a lottery again.
Hello 2nd half dip, my old friend.
I really enjoyed our performance in the 1st - thought there were good signs of where we're trying to go.
Beno and Stuart were class - jury still out on their re-enforcements. Pepper ruthless.
Cam was brilliant 1st half, less so in the 2nd
DDP continues to be quietly powerful
I really enjoyed our performance in the 1st - thought there were good signs of where we're trying to go.
Beno and Stuart were class - jury still out on their re-enforcements. Pepper ruthless.
Cam was brilliant 1st half, less so in the 2nd
DDP continues to be quietly powerful
It felt pretty solid when Dunny was throwing in but I think Frost needs to get a grip fast
Tonight showed how much Will Muir is missed .. his ability to pressure and reclaim box kicks. Ojomoh looked sharp.
And utterly dreadful first 15 minutes of the second half, but then found some resilience to come away with the win.
Stupid penalties just after scores kept Exeter in it - Tom Dunn was guilty of a good few dumb penalties.
That first half scrum anihilation was a trhing of beauty.
We lost the aerial game comprehensively.
Pearce - when he marched us back he went 15m not 10 and then the offside could not have been on the 10m line as play hadn't got anywhere near there. His obsession with playing the game at 150 mph is tedious.
Really odd decision by Exeter to kick it out at the end rather go a couple of phases to see if they could make a break.
5 points is 5 points but still plenty to work on.
Stupid penalties just after scores kept Exeter in it - Tom Dunn was guilty of a good few dumb penalties.
That first half scrum anihilation was a trhing of beauty.
We lost the aerial game comprehensively.
Pearce - when he marched us back he went 15m not 10 and then the offside could not have been on the 10m line as play hadn't got anywhere near there. His obsession with playing the game at 150 mph is tedious.
Really odd decision by Exeter to kick it out at the end rather go a couple of phases to see if they could make a break.
5 points is 5 points but still plenty to work on.
Quote:Dorset Boy
And utterly dreadful first 15 minutes of the second half, but then found some resilience to come away with the win.
Stupid penalties just after scores kept Exeter in it - Tom Dunn was guilty of a good few dumb penalties.
That first half scrum anihilation was a trhing of beauty.
We lost the aerial game comprehensively.
Pearce - when he marched us back he went 15m not 10 and then the offside could not have been on the 10m line as play hadn't got anywhere near there. His obsession with playing the game at 150 mph is tedious.
Really odd decision by Exeter to kick it out at the end rather go a couple of phases to see if they could make a break.
5 points is 5 points but still plenty to work on.
I think it was offside in the backline from the lineout which was on the halfway, so fair. The march back was easily 15m.
Just watched the game live. There are a large number of worlds where Chiefs win that. Our 3rd quarter curse is back and our work rate in the other 3 was not much to write home about either. Chiefs played really well and limited what we could do but we need to learn that oppositions are not going to roll over just because we're Bath. Saints should be licking their lips for next week. It was great to see JC23 back and Mojo's cameo outing should have impressed SB but I really did not think anyone in the BBW deserved MotM. So...
My MotM - Manny the rugby union cheat code.
... IMHO, of course.
Now in Honolulu
My MotM - Manny the rugby union cheat code.
... IMHO, of course.
Now in Honolulu
Struggling a bit to know what to make of that at first glance. Overall it didn’t feel like a 40-34 game but maybe that’s just an indication of where the game / league / defences are at the moment.
I felt like we were mostly in control of things without being hugely impressive and Exeter didn’t seem that threatening but managed to turn lots of half chances into scores.
All still very early, a new attack coach to bed in and you don’t want to peak too early but could do with a few more signs of what we can do
Not the worst problems to have with 10 points from 10. Just hard to judge where we are
I felt like we were mostly in control of things without being hugely impressive and Exeter didn’t seem that threatening but managed to turn lots of half chances into scores.
All still very early, a new attack coach to bed in and you don’t want to peak too early but could do with a few more signs of what we can do
Not the worst problems to have with 10 points from 10. Just hard to judge where we are
In the ground the replays on the big screen were terrible, multiple plays of a graphic saying “1,2,3,4,5 try” but very few complete replays of the actual tries! Hopefully PG can raise this at the next fan forum thing!
Positive - we won and it was a big win.
Negatives - A lot
Defense, at times was awful. I think JP Ferreira will have to be under pressure if he cant change this around.
Forwards, mixed bag/bad we cant handle kick offs, line out was better, but Exeter were missing some of their big liine out operators - Blaze has to be feeling pressure, taking our captain off, showed that forwards were underperforming. With the forwards we have, this is not currently good enough.
Redpath - I cant believe he dropped that ball near the line, he is not consistent enough now. He scored yes but Max Ojomoh every day and every week.
Attack - why are we kicking the ball away so much and then inviting pressure back straight away. Its now good enough, but totally understand Pregastt is new and hope he will bed in.
But, I wish England stopped poaching our best coaches, we deeply miss Lee Blackett. Without him, we are not a winning title side. This type and level of rugby from last season and even now, we wont win big trophies.
Some positives - Big win, younger players getting a chance, Griffin looked handy, du Preez has started well, our attack coach is only two games.
Sorry to be so negative, but there were too many issues out there.
Negatives - A lot
Defense, at times was awful. I think JP Ferreira will have to be under pressure if he cant change this around.
Forwards, mixed bag/bad we cant handle kick offs, line out was better, but Exeter were missing some of their big liine out operators - Blaze has to be feeling pressure, taking our captain off, showed that forwards were underperforming. With the forwards we have, this is not currently good enough.
Redpath - I cant believe he dropped that ball near the line, he is not consistent enough now. He scored yes but Max Ojomoh every day and every week.
Attack - why are we kicking the ball away so much and then inviting pressure back straight away. Its now good enough, but totally understand Pregastt is new and hope he will bed in.
But, I wish England stopped poaching our best coaches, we deeply miss Lee Blackett. Without him, we are not a winning title side. This type and level of rugby from last season and even now, we wont win big trophies.
Some positives - Big win, younger players getting a chance, Griffin looked handy, du Preez has started well, our attack coach is only two games.
Sorry to be so negative, but there were too many issues out there.
Varney was lucky to stay on the pitch I thought following the accidental/deliberate shoulder to Cam's jaw.
Word needs to be mentioned for Ewan Richards with that miracle off load, I'm beginning to like the fast mobile second row concept. Ted Hill's comment about MP looking for ball carriers to stay upright will be something to look out for.
That is actually a very good result but I'd prefer TdG at 15 and as TRS mentioned play one of the young back 3, (Winters, Offiah, Woods, Griffin).
Bit concerned about BvdL's ankle though.. Great to see Jaco Coetzee back running hard.
Tyler Offiah
Opinion is based on assumptions, whereas fact is based on observation or research.
Word needs to be mentioned for Ewan Richards with that miracle off load, I'm beginning to like the fast mobile second row concept. Ted Hill's comment about MP looking for ball carriers to stay upright will be something to look out for.
That is actually a very good result but I'd prefer TdG at 15 and as TRS mentioned play one of the young back 3, (Winters, Offiah, Woods, Griffin).
Bit concerned about BvdL's ankle though.. Great to see Jaco Coetzee back running hard.
Was that a quadruple pump of the ball for Finn's try? It certainly looked like it – he totally fooled IFW.
I thought we were fortunate to win that. Exeter were the more consistent team. We scored several good opportunist tries but I always felt we were more likely to loose than win as happened in most matches against them last year. Without Muir we have no aerial capability. We kept lobbing the ball up & failing to secure it. We also coughed up a number of other penalties. We are also racking up a fair few injuries. We will struggle to keep winning if we continue playing like that.
Hard to gauge but 10 from 10 and I’m gonna let myself be delighted.
I’m amazed they kicked it off at the end. Gamble for a few phases with the upside of 5 not 1 when you’ve got 2. If I was in the Bath changing room I’d LOVE the fact they thought that losing admirably was a good outcome.
We’re so lucky. 3 years ago, I’d have bitten your hand off for 40 points, 5 league points and a big Friday night win. We were pretty great “both sides of the ball” (defence before Repdath’s intercept was immense!) for so much of it but frustrating for some eg restarts. That scrum tho….
Overall, Beno, Stuart, Roux, Richards, DDP and Redpath were huge- an we forced last season’s finalists to accept defeat. Why do we have a god given right to demolish them? Why should they be “plucky losers”? Why isn’t a 5 point home win just a fantastic result?
5 points for us. Onwards.
I’m amazed they kicked it off at the end. Gamble for a few phases with the upside of 5 not 1 when you’ve got 2. If I was in the Bath changing room I’d LOVE the fact they thought that losing admirably was a good outcome.
We’re so lucky. 3 years ago, I’d have bitten your hand off for 40 points, 5 league points and a big Friday night win. We were pretty great “both sides of the ball” (defence before Repdath’s intercept was immense!) for so much of it but frustrating for some eg restarts. That scrum tho….
Overall, Beno, Stuart, Roux, Richards, DDP and Redpath were huge- an we forced last season’s finalists to accept defeat. Why do we have a god given right to demolish them? Why should they be “plucky losers”? Why isn’t a 5 point home win just a fantastic result?
5 points for us. Onwards.
Quote:dcsh
In the ground the replays on the big screen were terrible, multiple plays of a graphic saying “1,2,3,4,5 try” but very few complete replays of the actual tries! Hopefully PG can raise this at the next fan forum thing!
Happy to do so dsch.
Please remind me nearer the time -I will ask for input when the next meeting is announced.
PG
Defence in the first half was really good though. The whole team came out asleep for the third quarter.
Unconvinced by TdG at wing. Ciaran had his worst game in a Bath shirt. Ollie's defence it really becoming a problem.
Richards, Pepper, Hill, Roux, Obano, Stuart excellent. DDP decent. Great to see JC23.
If Ex don't have IFW they're nowhere in that game.
Unconvinced by TdG at wing. Ciaran had his worst game in a Bath shirt. Ollie's defence it really becoming a problem.
Richards, Pepper, Hill, Roux, Obano, Stuart excellent. DDP decent. Great to see JC23.
If Ex don't have IFW they're nowhere in that game.
Yes, it’s very satisfying to gain maximum points of course but I was basing my comments on how we played rather than the result. I just thought they looked the better team but we can certainly improve.
The last time we played Exeter we lost with arguably a stronger team that had TdT, Van Wyk, Ben Spencer, Sam Underhill, Henry Arundell and Alfie Barbeary in it. We are introducing the likes of Kirk Griffin, Tuipulotu and Donoghue as match day regulars. I am not sure it's reasonable to expect last season's ruby highlights reproduced by new and youthful personnel.
We won and banked 5 points again. I think all our games will be similar this season scrappy and inconsistent as we introduce new players in key positions.
Tyler Offiah
Opinion is based on assumptions, whereas fact is based on observation or research.
We won and banked 5 points again. I think all our games will be similar this season scrappy and inconsistent as we introduce new players in key positions.
Quote:shipwrecked
Varney was lucky to stay on the pitch I thought following the accidental/deliberate shoulder to Cam's jaw.
Im definitely not in the camp that every mistimed challenge with head contact should be a card but everything about how ot was handled, from the TNT coverage to the TMO, was odd. Flats tried to distance himself in rhe post match analysis but it all felt a bit weird.
As for the game, we were the better team but I'd love to see an 80 minute performance. Maybe its the Prem these days, every match seems to ebb and flow. But we do look like we're more free and like we're enjoying it more. Doesnt mean there arent some weaknesses we need to fix.
Quote:The BearQuote:shipwrecked
Varney was lucky to stay on the pitch I thought following the accidental/deliberate shoulder to Cam's jaw.
Im definitely not in the camp that every mistimed challenge with head contact should be a card
Judge it on the incident and decide for yourself. Varney had plenty of time to pull out, the ball had long gone.
Any deliberate head contact should be sanctioned.
Had been really looking forward to this, but unfortunately my experience of the game was ruined by the drunk group of kids next to us in H block. Obnoxious, swearing loudly and threatening to punch my neighbour - all this in front of children on our row.
First time in 20 years I've had to go and ask a steward for help.
Hard to concentrate on the game to be honest.
First time in 20 years I've had to go and ask a steward for help.
Hard to concentrate on the game to be honest.
Varney's shoulder with tucked arm to Cam's jaw was a really nasty cheap shot and needed a proper review from the officials. They had time to review it whilst Cam was being treated. There's no place in the modern game for it.
Quote:The Bear
[
As for the game, we were the better team but I'd love to see an 80 minute performance. Maybe its the Prem these days, every match seems to ebb and flow. But we do look like we're more free and like we're enjoying it more. Doesnt mean there arent some weaknesses we need to fix.
I think this is just the league now. Teams trade scores, but relative strength usually wins out over the 80.
Looking around the league, I just dont see where the hard, attritional, tight opponent we long to play is
Players found a way to win when playing poorly so credit to them. Lots of positives from individuals, lineout was better and scrum had parity.
Defence in midfield and out wide wasn’t good enough, why couldn’t we simply catch the restart and ill discipline in final couple of minutes was stupid and could have cost us the win had Exeter given it a lash.
Realise it’s early days but our attack was disjointed, predictable and easy for Exeter to defend. Was expecting a lot more from Prendergast to suggest he can fix our attack.
Lee Blackett was in the stand, maybe he can be persuaded to leave his dead end job with Borthwick and come back to Bath for the more important job of getting our attack firing and perhaps ultimately taking over from JvG.
Defence in midfield and out wide wasn’t good enough, why couldn’t we simply catch the restart and ill discipline in final couple of minutes was stupid and could have cost us the win had Exeter given it a lash.
Realise it’s early days but our attack was disjointed, predictable and easy for Exeter to defend. Was expecting a lot more from Prendergast to suggest he can fix our attack.
Lee Blackett was in the stand, maybe he can be persuaded to leave his dead end job with Borthwick and come back to Bath for the more important job of getting our attack firing and perhaps ultimately taking over from JvG.
Quote:dr.bath1865
Hard to gauge but 10 from 10 and I’m gonna let myself be delighted.
I’m amazed they kicked it off at the end. Gamble for a few phases with the upside of 5 not 1 when you’ve got 2. If I was in the Bath changing room I’d LOVE the fact they thought that losing admirably was a good outcome.
We’re so lucky. 3 years ago, I’d have bitten your hand off for 40 points, 5 league points and a big Friday night win. We were pretty great “both sides of the ball” (defence before Repdath’s intercept was immense!) for so much of it but frustrating for some eg restarts. That scrum tho….
Overall, Beno, Stuart, Roux, Richards, DDP and Redpath were huge- an we forced last season’s finalists to accept defeat. Why do we have a god given right to demolish them? Why should they be “plucky losers”? Why isn’t a 5 point home win just a fantastic result?
5 points for us. Onwards.
Pretty accurately describes my take.
Wanted to single out Quinn Roux. 36 at the end of this month and he was out on the wing/first to broken field tackles at 70+ mins. Bloke does not age.
And another word for Coetzee. In tears at the end after nearly 2 years out. He must've pondered more than few times during that period if his time as a pro rugby player was up. I know I did. Just great to see him back.
Throw the book at Varney and sorry to hear of (yet another) account of drunken idiots on a Friday night. Been commonplace for a few years and just needs people to speak up like DB did.
No idea how next Saturday's going to go down but looking forward to it!
Quote:OutsideBath
Players found a way to win when playing poorly so credit to them. Lots of positives from individuals, lineout was better and scrum had parity.
Defence in midfield and out wide wasn’t good enough, why couldn’t we simply catch the restart and ill discipline in final couple of minutes was stupid and could have cost us the win had Exeter given it a lash.
Realise it’s early days but our attack was disjointed, predictable and easy for Exeter to defend. Was expecting a lot more from Prendergast to suggest he can fix our attack.
Lee Blackett was in the stand, maybe he can be persuaded to leave his dead end job with Borthwick and come back to Bath for the more important job of getting our attack firing and perhaps ultimately taking over from JvG.
I agree. I think you have to be watching through rose tinted spectacles to believe we were the better team on the night. Allowances do have to be made for players missing & others played out of position but I do relish a return of the old JvG who continually said “never too low, never too high” and “we have to improve week on week” I don’t think we’ve done that for a while. At our peak our Prem Cup team could beat many other first team lineups. Obviously we can’t expect that to continue indefinitely but we can hope that the same approach does.
Quote:Bath Hammer
I agree. I think you have to be watching through rose tinted spectacles to believe we were the better team on the night.
Well yes. Other than the final score, key stats such as scrum and lineout completion, number of tackles missed and time spent in the opposition 22 we were definitely second best. (Eye roll)
’’Paint the whole world with a rainbow”
Agree Roux was immense last night. Notable that Ewels was the lock subbed off and Roux went the distance - pretty rare for it to be that way around. Wonder if he’s being held back for certain games this year and being deployed a bit sparingly?
Fitness of Obano and Stuart also stood out last night. Both seemed to get through loads of work and them being able to keep getting back in the line had a huge impact on how well we defended in the first half
Fitness of Obano and Stuart also stood out last night. Both seemed to get through loads of work and them being able to keep getting back in the line had a huge impact on how well we defended in the first half
Quote:theredseat
Agree Roux was immense last night. Notable that Ewels was the lock subbed off and Roux went the distance - pretty rare for it to be that way around. Wonder if he’s being held back for certain games this year and being deployed a bit sparingly?
Fitness of Obano and Stuart also stood out last night. Both seemed to get through loads of work and them being able to keep getting back in the line had a huge impact on how well we defended in the first half
Very impressive not just how quickly Bath got off the line, but also how quickly they got round the corner to retain a good defensive shape. We’re still making too many individual defensive errors- there were some poor first up tackles missed.
’’Paint the whole world with a rainbow”
We were by far the better side in the first half. They had a purple patch of 20 or so minutes after the break which saw them getting back into the game and take a small lead. The last 20 showed some of our resolve to return to the lead and I would say both teams were evenly matched. The joyous rapture from the Exeter bench at getting two bonus points showed their ambition was limited in the last few minutes!
Our plus points were scrums and lineout wins which were 100%. A delight was seeing us bulldoze their scrum twice! Our weakness was restarts. Lot of work to be done of that there is no doubt but we have achieved maximum points with our weaknesses. So the coaches have a platform to work on.
Our plus points were scrums and lineout wins which were 100%. A delight was seeing us bulldoze their scrum twice! Our weakness was restarts. Lot of work to be done of that there is no doubt but we have achieved maximum points with our weaknesses. So the coaches have a platform to work on.
If we hadn’t made a mess of the restarts it’s highly likely Chiefs wouldn’t have scored in the first half. Not a fault that we usually have and easy for coaches to fix the restart.
Allowing Chiefs to score 21pts in around 15 minutes of the second half was careless and no doubt will be examined by the coaches this week.
Not long ago we would have lost that game so it shows how much we have progressed that we are disappointed with the performance.
Allowing Chiefs to score 21pts in around 15 minutes of the second half was careless and no doubt will be examined by the coaches this week.
Not long ago we would have lost that game so it shows how much we have progressed that we are disappointed with the performance.
JVG knows a million more things than me about pro rugby but I do wish we could give a settled XV a few weeks to play together. I know they all train together but surely making approx 6 changes every week finds holes especially in defence and that leads to poor discipline.,The 2 areas mentioned above. I get the odd change but when you have centres changing every week it must cause confusion. When we won the prem, Lawrence was injured and it was Russell, Redpath, Ojomoh every week in the run in and we looked miles tighter than currently.
adopted player, 24/25 Hame Faiva. 23/24 Ted Hill. 22/23 Cam Redpath. 21/22 Max Clark. 20/21 Henry Thomas. 19/20 Max Wright. 18/19 Cooper Vuna.
adopted player, 24/25 Hame Faiva. 23/24 Ted Hill. 22/23 Cam Redpath. 21/22 Max Clark. 20/21 Henry Thomas. 19/20 Max Wright. 18/19 Cooper Vuna.
Quote:Mini Maximus
Was that a quadruple pump of the ball for Finn's try? It certainly looked like it – he totally fooled IFW.
And done while looking right but running in a straight line forward - outrageous dummying, one of his best. Personally, i think it rivals Santi's from last week.
Quote:BeatsWorking
Had been really looking forward to this, but unfortunately my experience of the game was ruined by the drunk group of kids next to us in H block. Obnoxious, swearing loudly and threatening to punch my neighbour - all this in front of children on our row.
First time in 20 years I've had to go and ask a steward for help.
Hard to concentrate on the game to be honest.
I really don't like the evening games when a significant minority arrive tanked and ruin it for others. We had an obnoxious group of young males wandering around between C and D unable to find their seats. When I suggested they go away to sober up before trying again i was told to F off. Don't the club have any control/responsibility about admitting drunks and then serving them more alcohol?
Not looking forward to the Oktoberfest the club are planning before Montpellier.
Five points against last seasons finallists (who were wounded after last week), OK not a perfect game but I will definitely take that. The D was excellent at times and the scrum looked good throughout. Lots of work ons but very happy with the result. IFW is a ridiculous player, the mix of speed, strength and footwork is breathtaking.
[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]
[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]
Quote:I've emailed the club, hopefully it was just an opening night mistake with new graphics and will be corrected, so those in the ground can get a fully picture of what has happened when their view is restricted by the stadium design and distance from the action. Fingers crossed for the next home match.P G TipsQuote:dcsh
In the ground the replays on the big screen were terrible, multiple plays of a graphic saying “1,2,3,4,5 try” but very few complete replays of the actual tries! Hopefully PG can raise this at the next fan forum thing!
Happy to do so dsch.
Please remind me nearer the time -I will ask for input when the next meeting is announced.
PG
The tv view wasn’t much better - TNT clearly getting use out of a new drone and giving several extreme wide and high angle shots of the game. Meant we missed several key points because they were doing this.
The whole tv direction last night was really poor and I hope it’s not how the rest of the season goes.
The whole tv direction last night was really poor and I hope it’s not how the rest of the season goes.
Quote:They were clearly trying things yesterday. Heard from both Baxter and JvG twice, and strangely, JP Ferreira.BathRob
The tv view wasn’t much better - TNT clearly getting use out of a new drone and giving several extreme wide and high angle shots of the game. Meant we missed several key points because they were doing this.
The whole tv direction last night was really poor and I hope it’s not how the rest of the season goes.
Then those drone shots were held on to far too long. Shouldnt be seeing attacking phase play where the players look like ants.
Quote:BathRob
The tv view wasn’t much better - TNT clearly getting use out of a new drone and giving several extreme wide and high angle shots of the game. Meant we missed several key points because they were doing this.
The whole tv direction last night was really poor and I hope it’s not how the rest of the season goes.
Totally agree about the drone, the director used it really badly and it was ruining the enjoyment of watching the game. Probably worked on a 200 inch tv screen, but they missed so much close up action.
Quite agree about the drone shots. Seems to have crept into Skys cricket coverage this summer as well. These TV companies seem to have a new toy and are determined to use it!
Quote:copester
JVG knows a million more things than me about pro rugby but I do wish we could give a settled XV a few weeks to play together. I know they all train together but surely making approx 6 changes every week finds holes especially in defence and that leads to poor discipline.,The 2 areas mentioned above. I get the odd change but when you have centres changing every week it must cause confusion. When we won the prem, Lawrence was injured and it was Russell, Redpath, Ojomoh every week in the run in and we looked miles tighter than currently.
I used to feel the same, play your best 15, but JVG has made me change my thinking. The rotation policy means everyone has a part to play, they aren't expected to play every game which reduces their exposure to injury or burnout. A player coming into the side gets a chance to shine although Ciaran didn't exactly take his chance well last night. As a fan I enjoy seeing the whole squad get opportunities. There are risks as you identify but I think it works well for Bath. Finn is the exception though, he has to play every game allowable.
It was great to be back at the Rec despite my dislike of Friday evening games, somethings never change though, those that choose to swill beer for 95 minutes continue to annoy. Guess the money is handy though and why oh why would you leave when the result is on a knife edge.
I was v vocal in thinking that jvg was far too passive with his tactics/changes in the june semi.
He again waited til the game had completely swung to exeter before doing anything proactive. Changes came at 58 mins , exactly the same time as last week- felt too pre planned.
Tbf he will argue that it worked and the bench dug us out this time.... problem is i am not convinved that would have been the case had varney not had his moment of madness.
He again waited til the game had completely swung to exeter before doing anything proactive. Changes came at 58 mins , exactly the same time as last week- felt too pre planned.
Tbf he will argue that it worked and the bench dug us out this time.... problem is i am not convinved that would have been the case had varney not had his moment of madness.
What did people think about us slowing up the game at every opportunity?
Part of me thought its was maybe lessons learnt, playing to our strengths, suiting the selection we made etc.
Another part of me was concerned that we feel we cant live with a team playing a fast, phase play style of game.
Part of me thought its was maybe lessons learnt, playing to our strengths, suiting the selection we made etc.
Another part of me was concerned that we feel we cant live with a team playing a fast, phase play style of game.
In terms of individual performances beno was great and stuart has come back ridicolously well.
Great effort by roux to go 80 and play well- need to manage him sensibly but pleaanrly surprised he still has that in the locker.
Richards was quietly effective (plus one lovely moment fown left flank) as was DPP.
I think finn is showing why we missed him so much.
Thought kirk and griffin havent looked out of place last few weeks off the bench.
Big impact from hill.
Donoghue, cam, big joe and tgd a mixed bag. Lawrence needs to up it if he wants a good contract offer.
Great to see JC23 back- that guy just never dies with the ball, absolute handful
Great effort by roux to go 80 and play well- need to manage him sensibly but pleaanrly surprised he still has that in the locker.
Richards was quietly effective (plus one lovely moment fown left flank) as was DPP.
I think finn is showing why we missed him so much.
Thought kirk and griffin havent looked out of place last few weeks off the bench.
Big impact from hill.
Donoghue, cam, big joe and tgd a mixed bag. Lawrence needs to up it if he wants a good contract offer.
Great to see JC23 back- that guy just never dies with the ball, absolute handful
Quote:Charlieboa1
What did people think about us slowing up the game at every opportunity
Pretty frustrating at times, especially when we continued to do it during their yellow card period.
Surprised that Pearce didn't free kick us as he was constantly warning us for not getting ready quick enough.
Quote:Charlieboa1
What did people think about us slowing up the game at every opportunity?
Part of me thought its was maybe lessons learnt, playing to our strengths, suiting the selection we made etc.
JvG often states it's an 80 minute game, I suspect he was concerned that in the previous game we ran out of energy. Exeter did seem to be fitter but I suspect it was deliberate against Exeter.
"Bath Rugby bench 'big impact' delights Johann van Graan in Exeter Chiefs win" - [www.somersetlive.co.uk]
All part of a cunning plan?
All part of a cunning plan?
Just watched the match.
Not great but not as bad as I expected!
However I did not understand near the end what went on when the penalty was marched forward 15 - 20 yards??
Not great but not as bad as I expected!
However I did not understand near the end what went on when the penalty was marched forward 15 - 20 yards??
I think Luke Pearce just lost track of where he was/how far he was marching.
I’m also surprised the TMO didn’t investigate the elbow on Cam. I think if he keeps hold of the ball it’s a yellow/potential red but because he dropped it they wrote it off as accidental clash. Not sure if the citing officer would see it differently
I’m also surprised the TMO didn’t investigate the elbow on Cam. I think if he keeps hold of the ball it’s a yellow/potential red but because he dropped it they wrote it off as accidental clash. Not sure if the citing officer would see it differently
Quote:BathRob
I’m also surprised the TMO didn’t investigate the elbow on Cam. I think if he keeps hold of the ball it’s a yellow/potential red but because he dropped it they wrote it off as accidental clash. Not sure if the citing officer would see it differently
Whist agreeing BR I think any possibility of citing has been timed out (48 hours). I've noticed that foul play in and around the act of try scoring often gets dismissed with the scoring distracting officiating. Varney got away with one there.
Quote:Bath Supporter Jack
Just watched the match.
Not great but not as bad as I expected!
However I did not understand near the end what went on when the penalty was marched forward 15 - 20 yards??
In those last 3-4 minutes we lost our heads when all we had to do was maintain good discipline and let the clock run out. Instead we dived over the ruck, got penalised, kicked the ball away and got marched back 10 (although it took Exeter whining to alert Pierce to that) then continued to back chat.
Quote:Bath Supporter Jack
Just watched the match.
Not great but not as bad as I expected!
However I did not understand near the end what went on when the penalty was marched forward 15 - 20 yards??
Watching on tv it sounded like the TMO was telling Pearce where the offside infringement was which is fair enough
Quote:shipwreckedQuote:BathRob
I’m also surprised the TMO didn’t investigate the elbow on Cam. I think if he keeps hold of the ball it’s a yellow/potential red but because he dropped it they wrote it off as accidental clash. Not sure if the citing officer would see it differently
Whist agreeing BR I think any possibility of citing has been timed out (48 hours). I've noticed that foul play in and around the act of try scoring often gets dismissed with the scoring distracting officiating. Varney got away with one there.
I have only seen "as live" on the highlights reel, rather than the multiple replays one would get if it had been looked at by the officials, but do think it was worth a look. Seemed more of a tucked shoulder to head than elbow to me, but still made head contact.
PG
I hope the 1 point for Exeter won't affect us at the end of season!!
Well a real mixed bag but I will take two really important things from that game - a. 5 points and most importantly b. Jaco is back and long may he stay fit as he has had a torrid time in the last couple of seasons.
Yeah the positives outweigh the negatives for me. Exeter have been a tough fight for us the last two or three seasons so good to see us get one back in the W column.
It wasn’t perfect but then I don’t think you’ll really see any team this season put together a great game against the top six.
The table is going to be extremely close come end of season, you can tell already! Banking 10 points to start the season is great, if we can get 2 or even more against Saints then we’ll be flying
It wasn’t perfect but then I don’t think you’ll really see any team this season put together a great game against the top six.
The table is going to be extremely close come end of season, you can tell already! Banking 10 points to start the season is great, if we can get 2 or even more against Saints then we’ll be flying
If the 1 point affects us then we've just taken 5 from prem contenders so... good result? Actually that applies if we're top of the table, bottom, or somewhere in the middle.
Its interesting how many fans on various boards think that their lineout is rubbish. Is it maybe a thing that lineout D has improved and the balance has shifted a little?
[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]
[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]
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