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PAST PLAYERS; FAVOURITE FIVE BACKS


Guscott: Prince

By P G Tips
April 28 2020

Selecting a Favourite Five from the backs I have seen enchant the Rec crowd proved no easy task. By my count some 60 internationals have graced the Blue, Back and White behind the scrum in my 4 decades supporting Bath, including 10 Lions and 5 World cup winners. A dazzling array of talent from a dozen countries have entertained us with slashing breaks, outrageous passes, dashing tries, audacious drop goals and impossible touchline conversions, not to mention equally impossible cover tackles and bone crunching crash tackles. But who stirs most memories? Here are my five.  

Matt Perry

The list of Bath’s England Full Backs is longer than any other club in modern times – 8 at the last count. Many shone only briefly, some will be remembered for flair in counter attack, others for goal kicking or prodigious defensive touch finds. Matt Perry, for many years England’s most capped 15, stands out not only for his security under the high ball but his vision. His positioning, timing and hands seemingly coated in glue enabled him to snuff out the threat of opposition bombs and turn them into counter attack. His interventions into the line in attack brought him numerous tries and his finest moment was probably the slick pass which put Jason Robinson in for the first Lions try in the opening test of the 2001 tour in Australia. A great clubman, he outlasted club and England rivals Callard and Balshaw and but for injury would surely have won more than his 33 caps.

 

Simon Halliday

The muscle of the Bath backline from 1983 to 1990, Halliday was much more than just a bosher. He won 5 Cup and 2 League medals with Bath before his career took him to London and Harlequins. The choice of Will Carling as England Captain and Jeremy Guscott’s emergence soon after limited his international recognition but he still clocked up 23 caps, a number of them on the wing. He was the fulcrum of the Bath backline for several years, combining strength and direct running with soft hands distribution and a great eye for a gap. He was the perfect foil for the pyrotechnics of Stuart Barnes and Jerry Guscott. Nicknamed ‘Johnny Cravat’ as he was labelled the ‘posh boy’ of the socially diverse squad built by Jack Rowell, he was actually one of its most popular members. Now the Chairman of European Championship Rugby and seen by many as a potential future RFU President.

 

George Ford

Ford was the man who (briefly) lit up Bath’s performances in the middle of the last decade. A precocious talent, he left his original club Leicester Tigers in search of regular game time and to be coached by his father at Bath. His arrival was not unanimously welcomed, his critics claiming he was lightweight in the tackle and prone to goal kicking yips. His strengths and weaknesses seemed a microcosm of the perennial fly half debate: which is better- pragmatic roundhead or occasionally fallible cavalier? But when he lit the Blue, Black and White touchpaper the resultant fireworks were enough for most fans to forgive the occasional error. Highlights in a Bath jersey included the tactical outsmarting of Saracens on a bleak autumn evening (roundhead) the shredding of Toulouse and Montpellier and two memorable 40+ point wins over Leicester (cavalier), all of which he inspired. It was while at Bath that he forced his way into the England team, sparking another long running debate over which of he and his close friend Owen Farrell should wear the 10 shirt. The Saracen may be the core of England’s backline, but the Bath/Leicester man has suited Eddie Jones’ need more often at fly half. England’s failure at their home World Cup in 2015 seemed to dent his confidence and his 2016 club form became uncertain. The sacking of his father at the end of a disappointing and contentious season rang alarm bells for his future and with heart winning over head he departed for Leicester Tigers, where he has risen above the mediocrity around him, almost single handedly saving the club from relegation. Still a huge and influential talent and one that got away. His flair and attacking direction are sorely missed.

 

Stuart Barnes

Another prodigious natural talent, Barnes’ 10 England caps were a meagre return for his efforts over 14 years of top class rugby. This was as much due to his own disenchantment with the England setup as perceived weakness or the consistent form of rival Rob Andrew. Already an international before arriving, he played an unwitting part in Bath’s first John Player Cup victory, missing a last minute Bristol penalty to allow Bath to sneak home by a point. In the close season he joined Bath, in his own words "disaffected with England ……at Bath I found what I wanted – a rugby home." Possessed of a surprising turn of pace and sharp tactical mind, for the next few seasons he shone brightly for ever -ascendant Bath but not for England, declining a place on the bench as Andrew’s understudy. He captained Bath from 1989-91, winning 2 Cups and 2 League titles, with an impressive win record. Who that saw them can forget his blind side dart to score a late winner against Leicester in 1989, or the ‘never in doubt’ drop goal in the last minute of extra time to snatch the 1992 Cup from Harlequins? Eventually recalled to England ranks, he inspired the backs to rip Scotland apart, earning a place on the 1993 Lions’ tour, where he captained the team in their first outing but was still to play second fiddle to Andrew. His record speaks for itself: winner of 12 trophies with Bath, he scored 53 tries, 22 drop goals, 313 conversions and 230 penalties in 196 appearances. Now a commentator and pundit for Sky sports, he is remembered by many as the onfield brains behind Bath’s decade of success.

 

 

Jeremy Guscott

Joined Bath as a mini and only ever played for one club. Considered ‘too cocky by half’ in 1984 when he joined a senior squad already high on self confidence, he was to justify his arrogance on his England debut, scoring 3 tries in a rout of Romania. Dubbed by Clive Woodward ‘The Prince of Centres”, his elegant, gliding outside breaks lit up the Rec and Twickenham making tries for those outside him and netting him plenty of his own. After only one cap he got a mid tour call up for the Lions in Australia, scoring the vital try to win the second test. He was to turn a test (and a series) again two tours later, with a late drop goal to shatter the Springboks in 1997. He started 4 of Bath’s victorious Cup finals and was a replacement for two more as well as winning 5 Premiership medals and the Heineken European Cup. He featured in 3 World Cups and 3 Lions tours. For Bath he made 266 appearances, scoring 143 tries and 2 drop goals. He was also an occasional goal kicker with a total of 33 to his credit. Twenty years after his last England cap he still stands 4th in the list of top try scorers with 30 from 65 outings. Always seemed to have time and space, and if it wasn’t there – he would make it! His exploits will be remembered for many years.

 

So, there are my five, chosen not without much soul searching. There are no scrum -halves, without whom these stars would never have seen the ball. Where are the dashing wings who ran in the glorious tries? How could I leave out Mike Catt, one of the most naturally talented players to grace the Rec, twice Lion, twice in a World Cup Final, Heineken Cup winning fly half, who played a whole decade in Blue, Black and White? Most of my choices shone in a bygone rugby age, so others may prefer the more recent but equally valid claims of talents like Tindall, Rokodoguni, Joseph or Watson. Such lists are essentially subjective and there are so many who have stirred the blood, it was almost impossible to make the final choice.

 Who would you choose? You will have your own favourites- from equally exciting memories, for just as compelling reasons. Let the debate begin.

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PAST PLAYERS; FAVOURITE FIVE BACKS
Discussion started by Comeonmylovers.co.uk (IP Logged), 28/04/2020 08:27
Comeonmylovers.co.uk
Comeonmylovers.co.uk
28/04/2020 08:27
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2020:05:12:09:10:41 by P G Tips.

BathMatt53
BathMatt53
28/04/2020 09:00
I'm afraid that my choices are all about excitement, which means that some really technically excellent players miss out to those who raise the pulse as soon as it looks like they are getting the ball and make me shake my head in wonderment when they touched down. For that reason some real legends miss out of my list such as Banners and world class talents like Ford.

- Roko: Could step most professional players in a postbox in his prime. So many notable sidesteps left the great and the good on the ground wondering where he had gone and why their ankles were hurting.
- Guscott: Easier to catch a greased weasel and looked so effortless / graceful doing it. OK maybe tackling wasn't his thing but a joy to watch.
- Iain Balshaw: Didn't look like he should be going as fast as he was and caught a fair few out but you knew when he got the ball that something special was going to happen.
- Ant Watson: Like Flouw in my list of favourite forwards a real privilege to watch this truly world class player turn out at the Rec. No real weaknesses in his game, just a shame we haven't seen more of him through injury and international call ups.
- Nick Abendanon: Such a naturally talented player and a real shame that his best days came after he left Bath. Possibly still feeling those hits from the Tuilagi brothers and wondering why he ran back on the pitch to join a fight after being concussed and subbed.

[Notable mentions: Joe Maddock, Butch 'decapitator' James, Evergreen Stringer and Tom Biggs]

[23/24 adoptee: Will Butt]

MESSAGES->author
woodpecker
28/04/2020 09:33
Again since I moved to the area (with one exception):

Olly Barkley
Butch James
Joe Maddock
Bendy
Jerry Guscott

MESSAGES->author
CoochieCoo
28/04/2020 09:51
I would replace George Ford for Richard Hill. His speed and accuracy of pass was a lethal weapon to get our backs going.

Adopted player 2023/24 Matt Gallagher
https://uploadscdn.sportnetwork.net/upload/105/105_0_1694105203.jpg

http://v4admin.sportnetwork.net/upload/105/105_0_1597330055.jpghttp://v4admin.sportnetwork.net/upload/105/105_0_1597330111.jpg

K-Nut
Bod
28/04/2020 10:12
First on the sheet for me, always

Tony Swift

Then

Barry Trevaskis

Followed by

Ieuen Evans

Next

Richer Dill

Finally

John Palmer



Mentions for Callard ,Perry and Lumsden

MESSAGES->author
hasta
28/04/2020 11:54
Perry
Abendanon
Ford
James
Roko

seb
seb
28/04/2020 12:02
Showing my age but:

Jim Waterman
John Palmer
David Trick
Stuart Barnes
Roko

bathwickboy
bathwickboy
28/04/2020 12:02
My top 5 would come from a bygone era but would grace any rugby field with their skills.
At full back I would have Matt Perry, not the quickest in the world but certainly no slouch. He was superb under the high ball and a great and tenacious tackler. My reserve in this position would be Nick Abendanon who although probably quicker lacked a little in defence.
On the wings I would have David Trick for his sheer electric pace, have never seen anyone quicker on a rugby field and with that skillset, who cares about anything else. My other wing would be Tony Swift, good pace and a great finisher. My backup in these two positions would be Anthony Watson and Barry Trevaskis.
The centres can only be Guscott and Halliday, what a pairing, pace, vision, great natural talent. My reserves would be De Glanville and Roberts (the Roberts of his Lions days not currently).
Half backs without doubt Richard Hill and Stuart Barnes. Hill has a fantastic pass and his kicking game was good, tenacious and annoying on the field. Barnes was lightning quick over short distances and had a good boot on him, a real attacking weapon. My reserves would be another attacking fly half of old John Horton with probably a young version of Peter Stringer or Michael Classens as reserves.
I think they would be quite a good back division!

BathMatt53
BathMatt53
28/04/2020 12:05
Quote:
bathwickboy
My top 5 would come from a bygone era but would grace any rugby field with their skills.
At full back I would have Matt Perry, not the quickest in the world but certainly no slouch. He was superb under the high ball and a great and tenacious tackler. My reserve in this position would be Nick Abendanon who although probably quicker lacked a little in defence.
On the wings I would have David Trick for his sheer electric pace, have never seen anyone quicker on a rugby field and with that skillset, who cares about anything else. My other wing would be Tony Swift, good pace and a great finisher. My backup in these two positions would be Anthony Watson and Barry Trevaskis.
The centres can only be Guscott and Halliday, what a pairing, pace, vision, great natural talent. My reserves would be De Glanville and Roberts (the Roberts of his Lions days not currently).
Half backs without doubt Richard Hill and Stuart Barnes. Hill has a fantastic pass and his kicking game was good, tenacious and annoying on the field. Barnes was lightning quick over short distances and had a good boot on him, a real attacking weapon. My reserves would be another attacking fly half of old John Horton with probably a young version of Peter Stringer or Michael Classens as reserves.
I think they would be quite a good back division!

I'm calling cheat - that's about 45 players! (Sm6)

[23/24 adoptee: Will Butt]

P G Tips
P G Tips
28/04/2020 12:15
I also think the "Roberts of his Lions days not currently" is a bit of a stretch!

PG

bathwickboy
bathwickboy
28/04/2020 12:46
OK ok, I always like to hedge my bets a little bit. If you think Roberts is a 'bit of a stretch', let's replace him with John Palmer or an even earlier England international Mike Beese (Sm11)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2020:04:28:12:46:46 by bathwickboy.

Devonport Lad
Devonport Lad
28/04/2020 12:54
We’re on Round 6 of the BRSC “Who’s the Bath Rugby GOAT” competition. The results so far in the backs as voted for by BRSC Members are:
9: Richard Hill
10: Stuart Barnes
12: Phil de Glanville
13: Jeremy Guscott
This week we’re asking BRSC members to choose the GOAT players on the wings. That’ll be interesting!

BathMatt53
BathMatt53
28/04/2020 13:03
Quote:
Devonport Lad
We’re on Round 6 of the BRSC “Who’s the Bath Rugby GOAT” competition. The results so far in the backs as voted for by BRSC Members are:
9: Richard Hill
10: Stuart Barnes
12: Phil de Glanville
13: Jeremy Guscott
This week we’re asking BRSC members to choose the GOAT players on the wings. That’ll be interesting!

Difficult one that...best / most talented players probably not in a few of those cases but they played in an era where they won everything so rose tinted? Also Bath had lots of talented players but not for very long in a few cases unlike some of the 'lifers' mentioned above? Its tough to decide a GOAT for a particular team.

[23/24 adoptee: Will Butt]

redmix
redmix
29/04/2020 09:51
These threads are making me think too hard. Working from home has dulled my brain, but this has almost brought it back to life. I still can't decide on my 5 forwards. Backs isn't much easier, but i'm going to write it down, by tomorrow I'll probably have changed my mind...

1. Matt Perry. an astonishingly talented, brave and pacey full back. Sky have been showing some past England classics and I still can't believe some of the things he did in those games and for Bath.

2. Mike Catt. Probably a controversial choice for some, but again an astonishingly talented player. He was perhaps a better center than fly-half and some may remember him for the mistakes he made more than the great things he did. His running and distribution could tear defences apart.

3. Jerry Guscott. Can't add to what's already been said.

4. Stuart Barnes. A distributing, running fly half in an era when English rugby was too much about kicking and forward dominance.

5. Richard Hill. Superb pass off both hands. Marshalled one of the best packs in British rugby and should have had more caps than he did.

P G Tips
P G Tips
29/04/2020 10:52
All good choices redmix.

I actually thought long and hard about Mike Catt - certainly one of the most gifted I was privileged to see. He only got left out because others had more influence on titles, rather than for his mistakes - which IIRC were actually infrequent - just a bit glaring!

Trying to choose 5 just reminds me how lucky we have been to see such talents. Hopefully we will see more yet.

PG

Bathovalballer
Bathovalballer
29/04/2020 10:58
Very difficult one for me, as the choice from over 40 years of supporting Bath and the different eras.

1. Has to be the 'Prince of Centers' Jeremy Rushton Guscott. His skills, drawing defenders, passing into space, kicking from hand, vision, robust tackling and a silky smooth outside acceleration break unrivalled in World rugby. make him top of my list. Mind you John Palmer was not far behind in his footballing skills but lacked JG's speed.

2. Stuart Barnes, one of England's most underrated and under used fly half's. How Rob Andrew was preferred over Barnsy is a mystery to many including me. Through my work, I knew Barnsy in his Building Society manager days and enjoyed a lunch or two with him in places like the Beaujolais off Queen's Square where, it was alleged, Barnsy contributed many a wine bottle cork to the display in that establishment's window. Great company and even greater player who played with such vision, had a slashing break, great hands and skill in both feet when kicking from hand or tee.

Back up 10 for me would be John Horton who offered so much in a Bath side that struggled at times and the mercurial Butch James who was a threat but could be very inconsistent.

3. Ian Balshaw. What a wonderfully talented player he was at full back, centre or wing even, and he certainly lit up the Rec for some years. Could play at pace and was again underused internationally.

4. Best scrum half, has to be Richard Hill. Old boy of Bishops Wordsworth School, Salisbury, who was not initially the most talented, but made up for his shortcomings by sheer hard work and practice, until he possesed one of the fastest, most consistent pass off either hand and kicked with real accuracy. He also tackled like a back row and could make good breaks. It was the length and speed of his pass that gave Barnsy time to weave his majic. Another underused by England, partly due to him being captain, IIRR, during the Battle of Cardiff.

5. Wingers for me, probably the best who made the hairs stand up on your neck whenever he got the ball, was Simon Geoghagan. He had such pace and good footballing skills which were sadly cut short by a long term toe injury which curtailed his career far too early. Another man long in my memory is Jim Fallon. Those that think Roko can run through people should have seen what damage Fallon could do, often carrying a number of tacklers with him over the line. Fallon left to go to Rugby League before the professional era.

Roko has always excited me in a different way to the mercurial David Trick. Tricky was extremely quick but was not anywhere like a tackler and not the best footballer. For guts and effort, Tom Biggs and Barry Trevaskis are also in the mix.

Full backs have to include the excellent, multi skilled and consistent Matt Perry but also the wonderfully skilled Jim Waterman and John Webb. Both good goal kickers and running attacking full backs. For sheer excitement with the occasional gaff, Nick Abendonon who was also very brave. Those that witnessed his meetings with the Leicester Tuilangi brothers still wince at the collisions. Bendy always got up though, somehow.

Bath have been truly blessed with their backs over the years, whose skills often won tight games. Great and wonderful memories for an olden like me.

Adopted player 2020/21 Beno 'the Transformer' Obano


Adopted player 2019/20 Jonathan 'JJ' Joseph.The Jink Joseph.
Adopted player 2018/19 Adopted player 2018/19 Semesa 'The Rock' Rokoduguni

B4thB4ck
B4thB4ck
29/04/2020 11:33
Not a club stalwart but if you are talking watching a world class player in a Bath shirt then Jason Robinson gets a mention.

Well done to Bod for getting a Melksham boy on the list.

sid the seagull
sid the seagull
29/04/2020 13:15
Jerry Guscott
Tony Swift
Butch
Elvis
Simon Halliday

PECK

MESSAGES->author
woodpecker
29/04/2020 13:20
Quote:
sid the seagull
Jerry Guscott
Tony Swift
Butch
Elvis
Simon Halliday

PECK

Aaah Simon Halliday, good one!

B4thB4ck
B4thB4ck
29/04/2020 13:46
Here's one that I was happy to see on the team sheet of the day but wouldn't make many peoples all time list - Matt Carraro.

MESSAGES->author
hemington
29/04/2020 15:24
BoB - Thank you for reminding me of Jim Fallon - what a player he was.

K-Nut
Bod
29/04/2020 15:46
Bath Players 1865-1996

This might keep a few of you quiet for a while - a great browse

Mike the Taxi
Mike the Taxi
29/04/2020 16:24
Cracking photographs, Bod - almost as good as my Gran with her Brownie 125 at chopping the heads off!

Trawling
Trawling
29/04/2020 16:25
Favourites in order of appearance:

John Horton
Simon Halliday
Matt Perry
Mad Dog
Roko

Rolfs_Cartoon_Club
@Hydor18
30/04/2020 08:58
Quote:
Devonport Lad
We’re on Round 6 of the BRSC “Who’s the Bath Rugby GOAT” competition. The results so far in the backs as voted for by BRSC Members are:
9: Richard Hill
10: Stuart Barnes
12: Phil de Glanville
13: Jeremy Guscott
This week we’re asking BRSC members to choose the GOAT players on the wings. That’ll be interesting!

Guscott would’ve never have worn 13!

K-Nut
Bod
30/04/2020 10:03
Indeed Hydor
(Sm154)

BathMatt53
BathMatt53
30/04/2020 10:20
I wonder how many of these players would stand out in todays game if they were plucked from their era in a time machine and dropped into 2020? Jim Fallon always struck me as huge when he played but looking at a photo now someone like Joe C would dwarf him. Would fag smoking red win quaffing Stuart Barnes be any good (I suppose that if Greg Laidlaw and Duncan Weir manage it at 5ft tall then he could)? Graham Dawe as a hooker of 13st 8lbs? I would like to think that most of them would be fine once they had a bit of pre-season in them.

[23/24 adoptee: Will Butt]

Devonport Lad
Devonport Lad
30/04/2020 11:04
Oops - my mistake - I transposed Phil de Glanville and Jeremy Guscott! Senior moment....

BathMatt53
BathMatt53
30/04/2020 11:17
Quote:
Devonport Lad
Oops - my mistake - I transposed Phil de Glanville and Jeremy Guscott! Senior moment....

I think that they were referring to Bath not using a no 13 shirt in those days, instead going 1 to 16 (with no 13).

[23/24 adoptee: Will Butt]

P G Tips
P G Tips
30/04/2020 12:17
Correct Matt

DL- Bath only adopted 13 for outside centre when the Premiership insisted on uniformity.


PG

BathMatt53
BathMatt53
30/04/2020 13:02
It was certainly more fun when you could make up nicknames from the letters on the backs of the Tigers players.

[23/24 adoptee: Will Butt]

dr.bath1865
dr.bath1865
01/05/2020 10:35
For me...

Guscott – The best player I've seen.
Butch James – Great fun, primarily because you never had a clue what he was about to do!
Abendanon – Like James, no clue what was on his mind, but always exciting to see what happened.
Catt – Beautiful runner and kicker but an even better passer. When he was purring, Bath were too.
Adedayo Adebayo – Lightning fast, mighty strong. Should've won more Eng caps. I can still see him flashing along the touchline in front of the West Stand. Also, the man who won the penalty that won us the HC!

Bath Supporter Jack
Bath Supporter Jack
01/05/2020 10:47
Interesting list Bod!

BathMatt53..........the perennial question!

I recall having lengthy "discussions" with my Dad about criketers from his era, 1940's and 1950's as compared to the players of the 1970's and 1980's. Within the discussion came fitness, application and training.

I used to fall back on the fact that anything athletic that could be measured and timed, has, in every field and every event improved.

Therefore my conclusion in 1990 was that if Roger Bannister had been a 23 year old in 1990 he would have been breaking the World Record for the mile as his training, diet, equipment......mainly running track , and his mental expectation. It is interesting to note that within a few weeks his record on breaking of the 4 minute mile was smashed by Peter Landy (?) of New Zealand, ie part mental part physical.

What I have concluded in Rugby, Football and Cricket is that the bulk of the good players are now fitter, more committed and more organised and this makes it eve more difficult for those players in our lists above to really shine and appear amazing.

Devonport Lad
Devonport Lad
03/05/2020 15:14
This week’s BRSC “who’s the GOAT” vote was for wingers. The usual suspects were all there with strong support for Banners, Roko, Anthony Watson and Tricky! There were honourable mentions for the likes of Joe Maddock and Ian Balshaw, but the winners were:
Adedayo Adebayo
Tony Swift

One week to go - Full Back - and then the team sheet will be complete.

Ali1969
Ali1969
13/05/2020 17:51
Our South African contingent could almost make up a favourite 5 -, Claasens, Butch, Frikkie Welsh, Robbie Fleck.. The lost of backs over the years from the likes of Horton, Palmer, Jon Webb, Chris Martin, Simon Geoghegan, Fred Sageo the list goes on I dont think I could pick just 5, we have been truly blessed.

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