Burns: control

By P G Tips
December 24 2018

Having grabbed a much -needed win at  Wasps, Bath must next tame a tiger at the Rec. Victory would secure top 5 at least for the New Year. It doesn’t get any easier though in this most crazily competitive of Premierships. Tigers have been criticised of late as toothless, their claws too often blunted in defat. Last weekend though in a bonus point win over Quins they restored, if not the roar of their glory days, at least a convincingly frightening growl. They will be a tough beast to tame.

It was Tigers’ star backs that inflicted the damage on Harlequins, their tries coming from Holmes (2) Tuilagi and May, with Captain for the day George Ford pulling the strings. The forwards too showed signs of getting it together, reproducing some of the snarl and menace Leicester fans regard as their birthright. Their foundation was two props of contrasting styles- the abrasive Ellis Genge and a revitalised Dan Cole. Behind them Fitzgerald, Thompson  and Kalamafoni were a busy back row, the No8 in particular a constant threat on the carry. When these men tire the likes of Ma’afu, Williams and O’Connor are available to inject further heft from the bench. Tigers’ most potent forward operator though is likely to be coach Mark Bakewell. Bath fans will remember the packs he fashioned, especially competitive at the breakdown. That will be a crucial phase where Bath need to be on top of their game to halt the predators’ charge.

Without a pass or kick in anger Bath slid from 6^th to 9^th in the table last Friday and Saturday watching Saints, Tigers and Sale Sharks overhaul them. Their win in front of a 31,000 + crowd at the Ricoh not only put them back where they started the weekend, but could prove to be the most significant win of their season to date. Against a team desperate for a win in front of a near record home crowd and brimming with attacking intent, they found enough forward dominance and tactical control to snuff out the threat. The pack dominated possession , the tactical control of Chudley and Burns the territory.  There was little elaboration, but when it was on Bath attacked with conviction through forwards and backs. Rokodoguni got more ball in hand attacking chances in a half than in three previous matches.

Last weekend’s results should send the whole squad into Christmas in good spirits. As warm up acts to the Ricoh victory the U18s and United enjoyed great wins over their Exeter counterparts – by 64-7 and 42-7 respectively. Homer, Brew and Grant all returned to action unscathed and should be in the mix for selection. I hope the coaches will gather them all this morning simply to say: “Well done! Take a few days off, have a great Christmas and come back ready to deliver more of the same."

Sunday showed that whatever the struggles, this Bath squad has plenty of determination and a growing team spirit. More of the same in the set piece can lay the foundations for another welcome win. Nathan Catt, dominant last weekend, could be key to success here, so too the lock partnership of Attwood and Stooke. Tigers have not won a Premiership tie at the Rec since 2010  and Bath will want to keep it that way. There is an Indian proverb- “A tiger cannot beat a crowd of monkeys.” With a home crowd in festive voice, renewed confidence and a few tricks up their sleeves I expect Bath to be too clever for their visitors.

Come on you Bath!.

Possible Teams:
Bath:
Catt, Dunn, Thomas, Attwood, Stooke, Ellis, Underhill, Louw. Chudley (Capt.), Burns, McConnochie, Roberts, Wright, Rokodoguni. Homer

Replacements: V Rooyen, Batty, Lahiff, Garvey, Mercer. Green,Davies, Brew.

Leicester:
Genge, Polota-Nau, Cole, Wells, Spencer, Fitzgerald, Thompson, Kalamafoni.

Youngs, Ford (Capt.) Holmes, Toomua, Tuilagi, May. Worth.

Replacements: Kerr, Ma'afu, Heyes, Williams, O'Connor, White, Owen, Olowofela.

Bath v Leicester Preview: TEAM UP

Discussion started by Comeonmylovers.co.uk (IP Logged), 24/12/2018 11:06

Comeonmylovers.co.uk
24/12/2018 11:06

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Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2019:01:02:16:31:40 by P G Tips.

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P G Tips
24/12/2018 11:11

Would some kind soul please add the Team's Up! details when the team is announced, please?

This follows a suggestion from Rawce (an excellent one IMHO) to encourage more clicks on articles - which are the pieces that earn us advertising revenue.

The more clicks, the more we can then share with our 3 charities, which are:

* Dorothy House Terminal Care Hospice

* Help for Heroes

* Bath Rugby Foundation.

I will be taking a short break so unable to post the team sheet.

Happy Christmas.

PG

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Clarkey3k
26/12/2018 16:33

Only a handful of tickets (8-10) left when I looked today so it's a sell out. I will be happy with a 3-0 win this weekend...

Adopted players: 24/25 J Bayliss; [24] O Lawrence; [23] J Cokanasiga; [22] M Green; [21] A Watson; [20] T Faletau; [19] M V Vuuren; [18] T Faletau; [17] D Denton; [16] H. Agulla; [15] L Houston; [14] W Spencer; [13] F. Louw

Family . Community . Nation - [sdp.org.uk]

My mind's been going places without me lately - Bushfire The B52's

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Hamptonite
26/12/2018 17:16

So little kicking the ball away last Sunday. Much more control of the ball and exiting very well as opposed to just belting the ball downfield!

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OutsideBath
26/12/2018 17:17

Definitely a sellout, I got rid of my season tickets in about 20mins via ticket exchange.

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Bath Supporter Jack
26/12/2018 23:11

I am pleased as it is a big game at a great time of year. Hoping for a great atmosphere, great game and Bath win!!!!!

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B4thB4ck
27/12/2018 12:21

Santa rested from the front row after international duty on Monday night.

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CoochieCoo
28/12/2018 12:05

Bath Rugby team to face Leicester Tigers

15. James Wilson

14. Semesa Rokoduguni

13. Max Wright

12. Jamie Roberts

11. Ruaridh McConnochie

10. Freddie Burns

9. Will Chudley (co-captain)

1. Nathan Catt

2. Tom Dunn

3. Henry Thomas

4. Matt Garvey (cc)

5. Elliott Stooke

6. Tom Ellis

7. Sam Underhill

8. Francois Louw

Replacements

16. Ross Batty

17. Jacques van Rooyen

18. Max Lahiff

19. Charlie Ewels

20. Zach Mercer

21. Max Green

22. Rhys Priestland

23. Cooper Vuna

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Optimist
28/12/2018 12:12

Nice continuity in the backs. Shame not to see Attwood, but I imagine Garvey will be absolutely champing to put in a big shift, and Ewels/Mercer is strong for impact.

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Optimist
28/12/2018 12:13

Tigers:

15 George Worth
14 Jonah Holmes
13 Manu Tuilagi
12 Matt Toomua
11 Jonny May
10 George Ford (c)
9 Ben Youngs
1 Ellis Genge
2 Jake Kerr
3 Dan Cole
4 Harry Wells
5 Graham Kitchener
6 Mike Fitzgerald
7 Brendon O'Connor
8 Sione Kalamafoni
Replacements
16 Tatafu Polota-Nau
17 Campese Ma'afu
18 Joe Heyes
19 Mike Williams
20 Will Evans
21 Ben White
22 Gareth Owen
23 Jordan Olowofela

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BathBurger
28/12/2018 12:21

Our bench looks good too. Shame tiggers have just found some form, think this could be a tough one.

Hope Garvey has a big game. Good to see Wilson passed his return to play protocols.

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Rawce
28/12/2018 12:23

Let’s hope we click like last week. If we do, then it is ours.

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by
28/12/2018 12:25

If we play with the same level of intensity as last week we’ll blow them away.

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Optimist
28/12/2018 12:35

We seem to have added some really aggressive defence in the last 3 games - I don't recall seeing so many ball-carriers being drive backwards until the first Leinster game, and it's become as good as turnover ball on many occasions because it forces the opposition to kick the ball away. I think the first Leinster game is the model for Sunday's performance. Roberts vs Tuilagi is going to rattle the foundations!

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BathMatt53
28/12/2018 12:42

Those two teams look very closely matched to me. Add that to the fact that both blow hot and cold and it’s a coin toss IMO. Fingers crossed it goes our way - COYB!

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

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SarrieSaint
28/12/2018 12:57

Hope that it's a great game at the Rec and that you beat them. Especially hope Burns has a great game.

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BathBurger
28/12/2018 15:55

Big game for Max wright with Tuilagi opposite, let alone Toomua at 12. He’s looked better and better though and I hope he rises well to the challenge!

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Kidney Stone
28/12/2018 18:59

Tigers midfield is far superior, but apart from that we should be a to compete in every area. Would take our loose forwards any time.

Nate and H will have their work cut out.

Someone please tell me that Carley is not ou4 whistle man.

Looking forward to a tough game in decent conditions.

COYB

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CoochieCoo
28/12/2018 19:16

JP Doyle with the whistle.

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Kidney Stone
28/12/2018 19:46

Good news CC. No issues with JP.

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by
28/12/2018 20:32

feels like carley usually goes against the home team.

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al Mossah
29/12/2018 18:43

Sigh.

"BATTLE OF THE STANDS

Bath Rugby has teamed up with Naim, our official audio partner, to find out which stand is the loudest at the Rec. One lucky winner in the noisiest stand will receive the award-winning Mu-So Qb wireless music system. Who will win this inaugural Battle of the Stands? "

Does this mean the guy with the Mike will be "warming us up"? Let's all shout f**** at the appropriate time. He will soon stop.

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BathMatt53
29/12/2018 18:49

The Naim Mu-so is a lovely bit of kit so i’ll be shouting at the top of my lungs...

[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]

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Boldangrey
29/12/2018 19:59

Quote:

BathMatt53
The Naim Mu-so is a lovely bit of kit so i’ll be shouting at the top of my lungs...

Can you get the Light Programme on it?

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shipwrecked
29/12/2018 23:39

BnG, sport is on Radio 5 now, however, you can still get it on a crystal set if you get the earth right. There is a new thing coming out soon called telly vision, its rubbish though as you can't get beer out of it.


Tyler Offiah
Opinion is based on assumptions, whereas fact is based on observation or research.

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Boldangrey
30/12/2018 09:09

Still struggling with me cat's whisker

and that Telly Visual thing will never catch on - believe me.

Bah humbug.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2018:12:30:09:11:40 by Boldangrey.

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Boldangrey
30/12/2018 09:09

deleted



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2018:12:30:09:10:20 by Boldangrey.

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gaz59
30/12/2018 11:37

I thought the game was yesterday and spent the whole M4/M25 car journey agonising over whether to check the score but didn't want to jinx the result. Then got to Clacketts Lane services, couldn't resist anymore and ... doh!

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shipwrecked
30/12/2018 11:59

So who won Gaz?


Tyler Offiah
Opinion is based on assumptions, whereas fact is based on observation or research.

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B4thB4ck
30/12/2018 12:07

Quote:

gaz59
I thought the game was yesterday and spent the whole M4/M25 car journey agonising over whether to check the score but didn't want to jinx the result. Then got to Clacketts Lane services, couldn't resist anymore and ... doh!

That's a symptom of this season so far, there have been times past when I would be confident and eager to check the score, currently I do so squinting through one eye.

The inconsistency is a struggle for most teams though as this weekend has shown again.

Mind you, anything that involves an M4/M25 journey is always a doh moment in my thinking.

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