Taylor article - Browne's future in doubt.
2 year deals for Hobson and Lilley to be announced today.
Butch in talks with SA Super 15 outfits "I'd love to play for South Africa again".
Butch fit to play - would've played against Saints this weekend.
Meehan still talking to Salvi.

tbh, if Butch is going, the sooner the club find out the better, so we have half a chance of signing a reasonable replacement. We don't want this to become another REC development.

Sorry to mention that Mr Meehan is still in the market for another 3 players though the Chronicle isn't sure whether that is Salvi +2 or.............

Although I'd hate to see him leave, there might be some logic in Butch returning to SA, but only if we relace him like for like. The reasoning being that he is a very expensive luxury to have on the physio's bench more often than on the pitch.
The trouble is finding that like for like replacement? Who is good enough and willing to talk terms pre-RWC? I'd imagine that excludes Dan Carter, Steven Donald, Ruan Pienaar, Mat Giteau.

mixed news then. pleased for lilley and hobson.

i think 3 more signings , or 2 plus keeping salvi will give us a very complete squad if we keep butch. 2nd row, back up 10/12, and a outside back would be my bet.

frustrating about butch- if he wanted to go back to SA why sign a 3 yr contract!? on the flipside he signed when he thought he would he'd have an international swansong against the lions so no doubt feels he has unfinished business.

as RCC says it would be devlishly tough to replace him at that stage of a RWC cycle. if we got vesty AND twelvetrees in i could just about live with it. getting a really top class 10 would be unlikely.

Quote
"I'd love to play for South Africa again".

That is the definitive statement, not "I am going to leave Bath to return to SA in June"! Panic not.

---

Nick Abendanon - another outstanding homegrown talent.
Very proud to be his adoptive supporter for 2010/11:

PP's post also says hes in talks with super 15 teams....

He will play for SA again. This year against Wales, with De Villiers saying he'll be having one last look at overseas Bok stock.

---

With 10 out of contract, and 1 announced leaving versus 5 signed it would seem logical that we'll sign another 2/3.

My guess is these'll cover winger / SH / FH / FB signings.

---

Matt Banahan 2010-11 adoptee
Focusing on the backs after 3 years of successful front row adoption

I think it's fair to say that with a fully fit squad, we've assembled quite a formidable set of forwards for next season, with some good continuity from the academy assured, so addressing the backs and half backs makes sense now.

---

Exactly - and we're probably not that far off there - witness the turn around with BJ back in the side.

So a few key signings and a bit more depth, some of it coming from the academy should put us there or there abouts.

---

Matt Banahan 2010-11 adoptee
Focusing on the backs after 3 years of successful front row adoption

Fans View - Blank Weekends a benefit or a curse?
Duncan Bell - Our boys do an amazing job
Cool Claassens lets guard down
Simon is Taylor-Made for Bath's back row
Super 15 return still a possibilty for Butch James
Promising Youngsters sign up for 2 more years at Bath Rugby

---

Cheers,

Rich


Stuart Hooper - Adopted Player 2010/11:




Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 18/03/2010 11:31 by Bathbadger.

There's also a letter from a fiend here

---

Bonjour Jacques, my adopteee 2010/ 2011
Pic to follow

There should be a fine for every time they use the word "green lung"!

---

Cheers,

Rich


Stuart Hooper - Adopted Player 2010/11:

With regard to Butch's procrastination on staying or going, we should definitely sign a top-quality 10 anyway either as back-up or replacement.
Butch cannot be left to feel that he is irreplaceable or that we are a one-man team. Competition for positions has always been quoted as a desirable motivation for the players.
Having said that I for one would absolutely love him to stay.
It is an immense pleasure to watch a player of pure quality in action on the pitch.

I think there might be a bit of journalistic competition going on between Belly and Flats! Duncan's turn of phrase may not be quite so subtle, but he does make me laugh. And a nice contrast in his comments about the day training with the army.

---

Simon (I got a Scottish International!) Taylor - my adopted player 20010/11
(Thanks for the pictures Patrick!)

Hooper and his mates are really selfish, twisted, hateful,,,.. oh, hold a minute, Malco might have to say sorry to the FOTR for my outburst, so i better not say anything

More witless tripe PE, do you have nothing better to do or interesting to contribute?

In a bad mood Malco??, oh, sorry, silly question, i forgot, you are ALWAYS in a bad mood!

This is your final warning PE. I'm sick to death of your continual childish attempts at winding me up. If you can't wind your neck in and use this forum positively I will ban you. No further discussion, I'm not giving up my time in order to ship any more pathetic trolling abuse from you.

Wow, you really do need help mate, but for the sake of peace, i will not comment on anything you write, say again, is this to your liking?

I don't need any help at all thanks, I'm perfectly capable of hitting the "ban" button all by myself.

That's a bit OTT don't you think Malco? He may or may not be a troll, but to ban him for winding you up seems a bit steep.

---

Come on, Malco. You can't ban PE for being a repetitive p!llock. God knows, I'd like a "ban" button in real life. Avoid and ignore.