Everything to do with Bath Rugby, the latest news, scores, matches, rumours and gossip.
Sunday, 31 October 2010
Moody ready for the fray
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Match reports - Quins V Bath
With both Bath and Harlequins lacking a cutting edge and frequently opting for the boot, this offered a brief flashback to the dour days of last season, when tedium outstripped invention.
This is Bath
ESPN
The Mail
Sky Sports
It's hard to call!?
Match Result
Harlequins 10/11
Drawn Match 16/1
Bath 10/11
First Try Scorer
Biggs 11/1
Abendanon 12/1
Carraro 12/1
Banahan 12/1
Barkley 14/1
COME ON YOU BATH!!!
Friday, 29 October 2010
Bath team to face Quins (KO time and coverage)
Bath Team to play Harlequins
15 Nick Abendanon
14 Matt Carraro
13 Matt Banahan
12 Olly Barkley
11 Tom Biggs
10 Sam Vesty
9 Michael Claassens
1 Nathan Catt
2 Pieter Dixon
3 Duncan Bell
4 Stuart Hooper
5 Danny Grewcock
6 Simon Taylor
7 Lewis Moody
8 Luke Watson ( c )
Replacements
16 Ross Batty
17 David Flatman
18 Mark Lilley
19 Ignacio Fernandez-Lobbe
20 Ben Skirving
21 Mark McMillan
22 Ben Williams
23 Jack Cuthbert
Thursday, 28 October 2010
Steve Meehan unworried by Bath results
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ZZZZZZZZZ.....
Let's end this old saga of rugby on The Rec
New boy Taylor impressed by standard in Aviva Premiership
It was not the dream start for the Scotsman at his new club but he had nevertheless done enough in the space of just a game and a half to have head coach Steve Meehan singing his praises con brio
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PETER SHORT: Even one-eyed fans could see our forwards played well
I travelled up to the East Midlands to watch the game and sat among the one-eyed faithful. I'm sure I won't be the first observer to note that maybe the bespectacled members of the Leicester crowd could save themselves some money and just buy monocles next time they are at the opticians.
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Steve Meehan: Why I said no to England request
The England skipper will make his return to the Bath team after four weeks out with an eye injury when they go to Twickenham Stoop this weekend.
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TOM BRADSHAW: Meehan may have to think the unthinkable
Bath Rugby skipper Luke Watson was the recipient of such praise after Saturday's loss to the Tigers at Welford Road – and his eye-catching performance in the number seven shirt poses a conundrum for Bath head coach Steve Meehan.
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EXCLUSIVE Sir Ian McGeechan open to Lions role
The Bath Rugby performance director is already fulfilling a consultancy role for the Lions, advising them on the best way to prepare for their 2013 tour of Australia.
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Meehan's men increase the intensity ahead of Quins trip
The head coach has conceded he was perhaps a little too soft on players in previous seasons.
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Captain Luke praises pack's performance in Tigers test
But skipper Luke Watson believes Saturday's strong showing by the Bath pack at Welford Road represents a turning point.
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FAN'S VIEW: Bath must build on their best showing yet
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Lewis Moody cool on England captaincy talk - video interview
BBC video interview with Moody
Tuesday, 26 October 2010
Moody passed fit to play for England and will feature this weekend against Quins
Telegraph
Monday, 25 October 2010
Bath chief Nick Blofeld eyes top two Premiership spot
BBC link
Bath still prefer Rec option - Nick Blofeld
BBC link
Meehan proud of effort - video interview
Bath Rugby TV
Saturday, 23 October 2010
Match reports and reaction - Tigers V Bath including Meehan, Cockerill, Watson and Abendanon
It may have been a loss on paper, but for the Bath Rugby pack this will have felt like a moral victory.
Much-criticised over the opening weeks of the Aviva Premiership, the Bath forwards fronted up superbly at Welford Road against a Leicester Tigers pack that tore them to pieces twice here last season.
This is Bath
Telegraph
ESPN
Daily Mail
Premiership Rugby
Match Reaction
Bath Rugby head coach Steve Meehan lauded his players' application and tactics after watching them come close to causing an upset at Welford Road.
This is Bath - Meehan
BBC - Cockerill
"Tough game tonight! Gutsy performance by the boys. Leicester are a great side and it was a brutal battle out there! So close. Next time ; )
Thanks to all the Bath supporters that made the journey! The team really appreciates it. For those who couldn't make it.. Thanks anyway!"
Luke Watson (twitter)
"Close game but the boys (especially the forwards) did an awesome job. Still looking for that infamous win at Welford road."
Nick Abendanon (Twitter)
Tigers V Bath odds!
Leicester 1/4
Drawn Match 18/1
Bath 11/4
Handicap Betting
-8 Leicester 10/11
Handicap Draw 16/1
+8 Bath 10/11
First Try Scorer
Banahan 12/1
Carraro 14/1
Barkley 16/1
Abendanon 16/1
Friday, 22 October 2010
Bath Rugby team to face Tigers this weekend
Bath Rugby team to face Leicester Tigers
15. Nick Abendanon
14. Matt Carraro
13. Shontayne Hape
12. Olly Barkley
11. Matt Banahan
10. Sam Vesty
9. Michael Claassens
1. David Flatman
2. Pieter Dixon
3. David Wilson
4. Stuart Hooper
5. Ignacio Fernandez-Lobbe
6. Andy Beattie
7. Luke Watson ( C )
8. Simon Taylor
Replacements
16. Ross Batty
17. Nathan Catt
18. Duncan Bell
19. John van der Giessen
20. Ben Skirving
21. Mark McMillan
22. Tom Biggs
23. Jack Cuthbert
Leicester boss Cockerill wary of threat from ex-Tigers
Richard Cockerill has added to the mystery surrounding Lewis Moody's potential return to the Bath team tomorrow by admitting he "wouldn't be surprised" if the England skipper appeared at Welford Road.
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Butch James interview from The Guardian
The South Africa and Bath player on rugby, romance and really odd family nicknames
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Thursday, 21 October 2010
Vesty and Moody video interviews.
Sam Vesty
Bath flanker Lewis Moody tells BBC Points West he would dearly love to play against his old club Leicester on Saturday but the game has come a week too early for him.
Lewis Moody
Injured Moody set to miss out on Tigers reunion
Bath Rugby insist Lewis Moody will not play against Leicester Tigers on Saturday, despite the England flanker's desperation to feature against his former team.
Moody expressed his desire this week to play against the club where he became part of the furniture over a 14-year period but Bath are having to rein in the England captain, who is in the final stages of recovering from an eye injury.
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PETER SHORT: How friendly fire floored Lewis
The boys got the job done over in Italy enabling us to keep our Heineken Cup qualification hopes alive.
This week sees the focus turn back to Premiership action and a chance for Sam Vesty and Lewis Moody to experience Welford Road from a visitors' perspective. That is, of course, if Moodos has recovered from the knock he took against Gloucester.
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Club will not block Lions move for Sir Ian
Bath Rugby would not block an attempt by the British and Irish Lions to appoint Sir Ian McGeechan as head coach for the 2013 tour.
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TOM BRADSHAW: Tigers trip is a real character test
Bath Rugby's biggest test of character so far this season will present itself on Saturday, when the club travels to Leicester for the resumption of the Aviva Premiership.
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Chief execs to discuss The Rec at Somerset meeting
The chief executives of both Bath Rugby and Somerset CCC will be in attendance at a meeting at Bath Cricket Club on Tuesday.
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Worrying injury leaves Hobson 'devastated'
Young Bath Rugby lock Scott Hobson has spoken of the "devastation" caused by a worrying nerve injury that has left him unable to move his arm, writes Tom Bradshaw .
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Butch stays focused on Springboks squad spot
Bath's Springbok fly-half Butch James admits his eyes remain fixed on another World Cup campaign – and says he plans to let his actions do the talking when he returns from injury for his club in the New Year.
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Nick finds a new partner in crime in Biggs
In those heady days of early spring, when Bath Rugby were laying waste to everyone who crossed their path in the Premiership, full-back Nick Abendanon and the club's then right wing Jo Maddock formed the league's slippiest attacking duo.
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Wednesday, 20 October 2010
Moody aims to make shock return to face Tigers
England captain and Bath flanker Lewis Moody is hoping to make a shock return to action in time to face his former Leicester team-mates this weekend.
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Tuesday, 19 October 2010
Tigers V Bath Preview
Leicester Tigers are the only side in the Heineken Cup with maximum points after the first two rounds, however their five encounters in Aviva Premiership Rugby have all been won by the home side on the day. Tigers have lost just once at Welford Road since September 2008: to Saracens on 8 May.
Bath Rugby won 22-6 at Aironi last Saturday, but their only victory in their last three Premiership matches was 31-16 at home to Sale in round four. Bath have won two of their last five away games in the Premiership. Bath's only previous victory at Welford Road in the Premiership was 13-12 on 29 November 2003.
Referee: Andrew Small (47th Premiership game)
Live on ESPN HD.
Premiership Rugby
Sunday, 17 October 2010
Match reports and reaction - Aironi V Bath
Bath Rugby got their Heineken Cup campaign back on track with a 6-22 bonus point victory over Aironi Rugby in Viadana.
Bath Rugby
Rugby World
This Is Bath
The Telegraph
Daily Mail
Bath Rugby ERE
Sky Sports
Match Reaction
Bath Rugby’s lock forward shortage has intensified with the loss of Danny Grewcock to a rib injury in today’s solid Heineken Cup win over Aironi.
This is Bath - Grewcock
Sky Sports - Meehan demands more
'I just want to say thanks to all the Bath fans who travelled to Italy! Massive effort. Thank you! So awesome to see so many Bath supporters.'
Luke Watson (Twitter)
Saturday, 16 October 2010
Fancy a flutter?
Aironi Rugby 10/3
Drawn Match 20/1
Bath 1/5
Handicap Betting
+10 Aironi Rugby 10/11
Handicap Draw 16/1
-10 Bath 10/11
First try scorer
Abendanon 8/1
Biggs 8/1
Banahan 8/1
Williams 10/1
Barkley 10/1
Vesty 14/1
All odd from Sky Bet
Friday, 15 October 2010
Bath Rugby look to get back on track in Italy - team news/ TV coverage
Saturday, kick-off 2.30pm local time (1.30pm UK - live on Sky, under the red button)
Bath Rugby team to play Aironi Rugby
15. Nick Abendanon
14. Tom Biggs
13. Ben Williams
12. Olly Barkley
11. Matt Banahan
10. Sam Vesty
9. Michael Claassens
1. Nathan Catt
2. Pieter Dixon
3. David Wilson
4. Stuart Hooper
5. Danny Grewcock
6. Andy Beattie
7. Luke Watson ( c )
8. Simon Taylor
Replacements
16. Ross Batty
17. David Flatman
18. Duncan Bell
19. Ignacio Fernandez-Lobbe
20. Ben Skirving
21. Mark McMillan
22. Matt Carraro
23. Jack Cuthbert
Thursday, 14 October 2010
FAN'S VIEW: Is too much leadership muddying tactics?
The next game had to result in an improved performance from the effort in the Gloucester debacle – and it did.
However, as I left The Rec on Sunday, that was the most positive gloss that I could put on an afternoon that had seen Bath well and truly outmanoeuvred by Biarritz Olympique.
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TOM BRADSHAW: Basic flaws are obvious
Sir Ian McGeechan, Bath Rugby's performance director, recently gave a talk to business leaders in the South West in which he stressed the importance of doing "world-class basics".
Funnily enough, that's what Bath Rugby need to start doing, too – getting the game's basic skills and strategies absolutely nailed.
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PETER SHORT: 'Oberleutnant of moustaches' would look good on my CV
I've just returned from taking my mutt for a walk in the Somerset countryside but even the vitamin D boost from the October sunshine is struggling to lift the mood after Sunday's Heineken Cup defeat to Biarritz.
As a member of the squad who has yet to lace his boots in anger this season I think it would be a tad unchivalrous to go on too much about the match.
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Debutant Catt learns from very best
As introductions to top-flight rugby go, there could have been few more demanding or brutal.
Bath Rugby loosehead Nathan Catt made his first start in either European or Premiership rugby against Biarritz on Sunday and was up against some all-star opposition.
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Mercurial Mercier poses a threat, says Matt Banahan
Aironi may be new to European rugby but it will be an old and familiar foe who confronts Bath Rugby when they take on the new Italian franchise in the Heineken Cup on Saturday
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Bruce Craig's 'honesty' is welcomed by Bath Rugby squad
Coaches and players at Bath Rugby have welcomed owner Bruce Craig's hands-on approach after matches, saying his rugby background makes him well-placed to pass on advice after the final whistle.
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Sunday, 10 October 2010
Not nice reading again - Match Reports and reaction
In the 75th minute Bath were in a perfect position to slot over a dropped goal. But despite being in control at a succession of rucks close to the Biarritz line and in front of the posts, the pass never came for fly-half Sam Vesty, who was standing deep
Sky Sports - Meehan
This is Bath - Meehan
Bath Rugby
Daily Mail
Eurosport
Sky Sports
Friday, 8 October 2010
Bath to beat Biarritz by 6??
Bath 2/5
Drawn Match 18/1
Biarritz 15/8
Handicap Betting
-6 Bath 10/11
Handicap Draw 16/1
+6 Biarritz 10/11
Bath team to face Biarritz, Sunday KO 1pm
Bath Rugby open their Heineken Cup campaign on Sunday, when they welcome Biarritz Olympique to the Recreation Ground, kick-off 1.00pm.
Bath Rugby team to face Biarritz Olympique
15. Nick Abendanon
14. Matt Carraro
13. Shontayne Hape
12. Olly Barkley
11. Matt Banahan
10. Sam Vesty
9. Michael Claassens
1. Nathan Catt
2. Pieter Dixon
3. David Wilson
4. Stuart Hooper
5. Danny Grewcock
6. Andy Beattie
7. Simon Taylor
8. Luke Watson ( c )
Replacements
16. Ross Batty
17. David Flatman
18. Duncan Bell
19. Ignacio Fernandez-Lobbe
20. Ben Skirving
21. Mark McMillan
22. Tom Biggs
23. Jack Cuthbert
Match preview: Bath Rugby v Biarritz Olympique
Bath went all the way to lift the trophy in 1998 and 10 years later went on to win the Amlin Challenge Cup.
Biarritz Olympique are perhaps one of the most unlucky teams in the competition's history. Despite making two finals and another two semi-finals, they are yet to win the biggest prize in European club rugby.
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Video interview - We owe Bath fans - David Barnes
Bath prop David Barnes tells BBC Points West they are looking to make amends for their poor showing against Gloucestershire with a win against Biarritz.
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Thursday, 7 October 2010
Meehan calls for calm ahead of Heineken Cup campaign
Steve Meehan is calling for calm among his players as Bath Rugby seek to get their European campaign off to a winning start this weekend.
Bath kick off their Heineken Cup campaign at The Rec on Sunday (1pm) against last year's defeated finalists, Biarritz. And following Friday's soft surrender to Gloucester, Meehan is calling on his charges to show composure.
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Captain Luke fighting fit ahead of European challenge
Luke Watson is confident the rib/back injury that caused him to be replaced at half-time against Gloucester is behind him.
The Bath Rugby skipper was nursing a niggle from the previous week's win over Sale when he lined up against the Cherry and Whites on Friday. He aggravated it just before kick-off and soldiered on before admitting defeat at half-time.
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PETER SHORT: Derby defeat was a bitter pill to swallow
It's been a testing week after a frustrating and disappointing performance in Friday's derby game with Gloucester.
When May rolls around and we look at our points total we'll know that we coughed up the chance of four or five home points. These points will be worth no more than any other points amassed on our campaign but the question remains as to why derby defeats cause so much pain in the cockles of our hearts – often in the sub-cockle region, sometimes in the kidneys, sometimes the liver and even in the colon.
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Greenwood: Barkley can emerge from the 'naughty step'
England World Cup winner Will Greenwood is adamant Bath's Olly Barkley will line up against Argentina when the 2011 World Cup kicks off – as long as he does his talking on the pitch.
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Wednesday, 6 October 2010
Eye injury keeps Lewis Moody out for up to a month
Lewis Moody, England's captain, is in danger of missing the opening Test of the autumn internationals, against New Zealand at Twickenham on 6 November, because of an eye injury.
Read more:
Tuesday, 5 October 2010
Roar for Bath Rugby as we chase 40th European win
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Moody to undergo scan on eye injury and could be doubt for autumn Test series
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Saturday, 2 October 2010
Match reaction - Meehan, Redpath, Watson and Barkley
"Tactically, we made every wrong decision that we possibly could in the first 20 minutes."
This is Bath - Meehan
Gloucester head coach Bryan Redpath hopes his side's impressive 18-3 win at Bath can be a turning point in their season.
Sky Sports - Redpath
"Terrible performance tonight! Hurt my ribs in the warm up and tried to soldier on... Didn't work! Couldn't breathe the whole 1st half. Pain!
Thanks for all the support. The Bath faithful are amazing! I'm in a lot of pain and battling to move around... But we'll be back next week!!"
Luke Watson (Twitter)
"Apologies to all our supporters, tonight was unacceptable. We are all already thinking about putting it right next week. Hurting."
Olly Barkley (Twitter)
This won't be easy reading - Match Reports
Poor handling on a soggy night cost Bath, who were unable to establish a platform from which to seriously threaten the Cherry and Whites' line.
This is Bath
Premiership Rugby
Daily Mail
The Telegraph
Sky Sports
Friday, 1 October 2010
Bath Rugby statement - tonights game
Despite the weather, the derby game between Bath Rugby and Gloucester Rugby is still scheduled to go ahead tonight.
The condition of the pitch is fine, and with the forecast predicting it will dry up this afternoon, we foresee no reason why the game will not go ahead as scheduled.
Bath Rugby v Gloucester, tonight (Friday 1st October), kick-off 8.05pm.
Bath V Gloucester preview plus video interview with Hagg and Redpath
Bath name an unchanged starting XV from last week's win over Sale as they look to maintain pressure on Northampton and Premiership leaders London Irish.
Read more and watch the interviews: