Four commit to Bath Rugby

Bath Rugby is delighted to confirm that David Wilson, Stuart Hooper, Nathan Catt and Andy Beattie have all extended their contracts with the club.

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Bath V Wasps match reports and reaction

Bath Rugby suffered Aviva Premiership disappointment at The Rec for the second time in a week as London Wasps claimed an 11-6 victory on a bitterly cold evening.

Sky Sports
Meehan - We lacked punch

Bath Rugby
Bath Rugby ERE

Geech to be made director if rugby at Bath!

Bath Rugby are poised to make Sir Ian McGeechan the club's director of rugby. McGeechan arrived at the club over the summer on a three-year deal, taking up the post of performance director and working alongside head coach Steve Meehan. Read more...

Bath Team to face London Wasps

Bath Team to face London Wasps - Sat, Kick-off 5.30pm.

15. Nick Abendanon
14. Nick Scott
13. Jack Cuthbert
12. Olly Barkley
11. Tom Biggs
10. Sam Vesty
9. Michael Claassens (C)
1. David Flatman
2. Lee Mears
3. Duncan Bell
4. Stuart Hooper
5. Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe
6. Ben Skirving
7. Guy Mercer
8. Simon Taylor

 

Replacements

16. Pieter Dixon
17. David Barnes
18. Aaron Jarvis
19. Peter Short
20. Josh Ovens
21. Mark McMillan
22. Paul Roberts
23. Jacques Boussuge

Video interview - Meehan

Head coach Steve Meehan plays down Bath's recent inconsistency and tells BBC Radio Bristol that a run of wins will see them back in the play-off picture.

Click for video interview

Chronicle articles - Butch is back!

Butch James is back in training with Bath Rugby and set for a pre-Christmas return on the European stage. The Springbok playmaker trained with the squad yesterday, with cries of 'he's still got it' ringing in his ears. Follow this link for all this weeks Bath Chronicle articles on Bath Rugby: click here

You can't throw away a 13 point lead!!!!!

Bath Rugby slipped to another loss in the Aviva Premiership today after a lacklustre and error-ridden second half condemned them to defeat against Saracens.

Bath are now four games without a win in the Premiership. Today’s match followed a familiar pattern for fans, with the side starting brightly before dropping badly off the pace in the second half.

This Is Bath
Bath Rugby
Premier Rugby
Telegraph

Flatman Column - The Independent

A question we players are often asked is how it feels to hop from one competition to another. Well, the truth is that it makes us all feel very unsettled and nervous, like unwanted puppies being shipped from kennel to kennel. David Flatman

Bath to win by 5 points??

Sky Bet have the following odds:

Match Result
Bath 8/15
Draw 18/1
Sarries 6/4

Handicap betting
-5 Bath 10/11
+5 Sarries 10/11

Bath Rugby team to face Saracens this Sunday

Bath Rugby team to face Saracens

15. Nick Abendanon
14. Jack Cuthbert
13. Matt Carraro
12. Olly Barkley
11. Tom Biggs
10. Sam Vesty
9. Michael Claassens (C)
1. David Flatman
2. Lee Mears
3. Duncan Bell
4. Stuart Hooper
5. Danny Grewcock
6. Andy Beattie
7. Simon Taylor
8. Ben Skirving

Replacements
16. Pieter Dixon
17. Nathan Catt
18. Aaron Jarvis
19. Ignacio Fernandez-Lobbe
20. Josh Ovens
21. Guy Mercer
22. Mark McMillan
23. Nick Scott

Bath Rugby line up Mark Chisholm and Dave Attwood

Experienced Australia international Mark Chisholm is being lined up by Bath Rugby as a muscular addition to the club's second row.

The Chronicle understands that negotiations with the 56-cap Wallaby are advanced, with the 29-year-old having visited Bath's Farleigh Hungerford headquarters for talks.

 

Read more:

http://tiny.cc/ilh9b

Bath Rugby targeting three on the trot

Bath Rugby are targeting three wins on the bounce as they embark on the next leg of the Aviva Premiership.

The Premiership is a long, long road but last year's skipper Michael Claassens – who may well lead the side again on Sunday in the continued absence of club captain Luke Watson – believes the next three-week slot is a critical juncture in the season.

 

Read more:

http://tiny.cc/ls4r0

Why Flatman's not getting in a Catt flap

David Flatman has always had a nice line in deadpan humour, particularly when it comes to ribbing his fellow front-rowers.

But he's deadly serious when we get on to the topic of Nathan Catt.

 

Read more:

http://tiny.cc/99pqi

It's smiles better for England skipper Lewis Moody

Lewis Moody may be known as Mad Dog but Cheshire Cat would have been more apt after the Bath Rugby flanker captained England to their sensational win over Australia.

Moody was grinning from ear to ear after his team's 35-18 win – and admitted the scintillating manner of the victory had enthused even an old-timer like himself.

 

Read more:

http://tiny.cc/tt1tr

TOM BRADSHAW: Tough choice at number 12

Shontayne Hape underscored on Saturday that inside centre is his position. He has played more games for Bath at 13 than he has at 12 but – as he showed for England on Saturday – it is as a hard-tackling, hard-carrying, space-creating, off-loading inside centre where his vocation in the 15-man code lies

 

Read more:

http://tiny.cc/mrnj2

FAN'S VIEW: Club versus country row needs to be resolved

It's back to the Premiership for Bath on Sunday as the league programme collides with another international weekend.

While coming as no surprise to head coaches of top English clubs it does, as usual, provide a significant number of selection headaches

 

Read more:

http://tiny.cc/4yrzo 

England to set Matt Banahan and Shontayne Hape loose against Samoa

Martin Johnson is set to change a winning team tomorrow and offer some of his fringe squad members the chance to impress against Samoa at Twickenham on Saturday. The England starting XV to be named at lunchtime will retain the core of the team who defeated Australia 35-18 but Johnson is expected to give some of his Wallaby-beaters a rest to ensure their readiness to face South Africa on Saturday week.

 

Read more:

http://tiny.cc/qyn7z

Bath centre Nick Scott targets first-team role

Bath academy centre Nick Scott says his debut start for the club has made him more determined to be involved in the first-team squad.

 

Read more:

http://tiny.cc/rsfy0

Matt Banahan to feature for England against Samoa

Bath Rugby bulldozer Matt Banahan is poised to pull on an England number 13 shirt for the first time for Saturday’s clash with Samoa.

England team manager Martin Johnson has told Bath head coach Steve Meehan that the 6ft 7in outside back will feature in the next Investec Autumn International.

Read more...

Bath Rugby take losing bonus point from Adams Park

Bath Rugby came away from a very wet Adams Park with a losing bonus point after a closely fought match saw London Wasps sneak an 18-16 victory in the second round of the LV= Cup.

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Wasps V Bath match odds!

Match Result
Wasps 4/11
Drawn Match 18/1
Bath 11/5

Handicap Betting
-7 Wasps 10/11
Handicap Draw 16/1
+7 Bath 10/11

Bath team to face London Wasps this Sunday in the LV Cup.

Bath Rugby side travels to Adams Park to take on London Wasps, Sunday 14th November, kick-off 3.00pm.

 

Bath Rugby team to face London Wasps.

15. Jack Cuthbert

14. Jacques Boussuge

13. Matt Banahan (C)

12. Matt Carraro

11. Tom Biggs

10. Sam Vesty

9. Mark McMillan

1. David Flatman

2. Lee Mears

3. Aaron Jarvis

4. Ignacio Fernandez-Lobbe

5. Peter Short

6. Josh Ovens

7. Guy Mercer

8. Ben Skirving

 

Replacements

16. Ross Batty

17. David Barnes

18. Duncan Bell

19. Danny Grewcock

20. Will Skuse

21. Michael Claassens

22. Paul Roberts

23. Nick Scott

Cuthbert looks to Nick shirt after cup show

Jack Cuthbert has his sights on prising the number 15 jersey off Nick Abendanon after an inspired performance against Cardiff Blues, writes Tom Bradshaw.

Cuthbert delivered a near-impeccable showing in the LV= Cup opener at The Rec – a display which earned him a hearty pat on the back from head coach Steve Meehan.

 

Read more:

http://tiny.cc/ta6ga

Bath Rugby use palatial headquarters to lure top forwards

A procession of top players' agents have visited Bath Rugby's palatial new HQ, Farleigh House, as the club seeks to entice some of the world's best forwards to The Rec.

Players' representatives from England and Wales, as well a West Country-based agent who represents a raft of South African players, are understood to have visited the club's 130-acre base in Farleigh Hungerford

 

Read more:

http://tiny.cc/4poz9

Ovens aims to turn up the heat on internationals

You would forgive young Bath Rugby flanker Josh Ovens if he were daunted at the prospect of trying to muscle his way into an all-international back row.

But the 21-year-old is unfazed, writes Pete Thompson

 

Read more:

http://tiny.cc/2bldn

PETER SHORT: Brave fans gave us a big lift

Everyone involved on Friday night was very happy to get a victory under our belts.

It was a pleasing result given the number of changes, a fairly short turnaround from Monday's United fixture and the arrival of some good old November weather.

 

Read more:

http://tiny.cc/101mr 

Meehan: "Banahan is a Bath captain in the making"

Matt Banahan has been identified as a potential leader of the future after skippering Bath Rugby to victory in their Anglo-Welsh Cup opener.

The 23-year-old was handed the armband for the first time on Friday night in the absence of club captain Luke Watson and last year's skipper Michael Claassens.

 

Read more:

http://tiny.cc/6flgh

Mears expects angry reaction from Wasps

Fit-again hooker Lee Mears is warning of a Wasps backlash when Bath Rugby travel to Adams Park this weekend for the LV= Cup.

The last time the two sides met was in the Premiership in April, when Bath humiliated the black and golds at Twickenham.

 

Read more:

http://tiny.cc/m7xqm

Bath Rugby skipper Luke Watson on the mend after 'whiplash' injury

Bath Rugby skipper Luke Watson is suffering from a neck injury similar to that suffered by the victims of ‘whiplash’ driving accidents, writes Tom Bradshaw.

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Lewis Moody an injury worry for England ahead of Wallabies test

A question mark is hanging over Lewis Moody's participation in England's clash with Australia on Saturday after he complained of a sore head following the weekend's loss to New Zealand.

Read more...

Premiership Rugby Fan Survey 2010

This season we are once again running the Premiership Rugby Fan Survey; a league-wide feedback survey where we canvas the opinion of supporters on everything from the matchday experience and the clubs' facilities to their favourite ways to engage with Premiership Rugby.

Complete the Survey

I was denied by a shoulder charge, not a tackle – Hape

Shontayne Hape believes England should have been awarded a penalty try in the tense closing stages of the defeat to New Zealand after he was taken out by Isaia Toeava

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Bath Rugby V Cardiff Blue match reports and reaction

Bath Rugby turned on explosive display and sent Cardiff Blues back to Wales pointless, final score 29-19.

A wet and windy Guy Fawkes Friday evening set the backdrop for Bath's first encounter in the LV= Cup. A dedicated Bath crowd of 11,911 (the second ever largest crowd in the Club's history) filled a sodden Rec with the sound of fireworks going off all around the city.

Bath Rugby
This is Bath
This is Bath - Meehan

'Thanks to all the supporters that came down and stuck it out in the rain for us tonight. Wicked to see so many young lads get their debut's.'
Barkley (Twitter)

'Well done to all the boys in the wet tonight. And well done to all the 11,500 fans who braved the conditions, awesome!'
Hooper (Twitter)

'Well done Bath! Great result. Awesome team. Awesome fans!! Good night at the Rec... Despite the weather ; )'
Watson (Twitter)

Awesome support as always at the rec tonight in the rain! Gutted to pick up knock before half but Good win in those conditions!
McMillan (Twitter)

Tonights odds and LV cup odds...

Match result
Bath 1/7
Drawn Match 20/1
Cardiff 4/1

Handicap Betting
-12 Bath 4/5
HCap Tie +12 16/1
+12 Cardiff evens

Bath to Win the LV cup - 7/1

Bath team to face Cardiff Blues on Friday night

Bath Rugby team to face Cardiff Blues

15. Jack Cuthbert

14. Jacques Boussuge

13. Matt Banahan (c)

12. Ben Williams

11. Tom Biggs

10. Olly Barkley

9. Mark McMillan

1. David Flatman

2. Ross Batty

3. Duncan Bell

4. John van der Giessen

5. Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe

6. Josh Ovens

7. Guy Mercer

8. Ben Skirving

 

Replacements

16. Lee Mears

17. David Barnes

18. Aaron Jarvis

19. Peter Short

20. Will Skuse

21. Chris Cook

22. Paul Roberts

23. Nick Scott

Bath Rugby targets The Rec again

Bath Rugby admitted this week that its search to find an alternative city centre site for its new 25,000-seat stadium had proved virtually impossible – and that the emphasis had returned to developing its current home at The Rec

 

Read more:

http://tiny.cc/nste6

EXCLUSIVE: Hape boosted by Guscott guidance ahead of All Blacks clash

Shontayne Hape has been taking tips from Bath, England and British Lions legend Jerry Guscott as he prepares for his first international Test at Twickenham.

 

Read more:

http://tiny.cc/921y5

Barkley makes fly-half switch for Cardiff clash

Olly Barkley will play his first game at fly-half for Bath Rugby since rejoining the club 17 months ago when the club kicks off its Anglo-Welsh Cup campaign tomorrow.

With Sam Vesty being rested after making nine consecutive competitive starts for Bath since signing from Leicester over the summer, Barkley will take the number ten shirt.

 

Read more:

http://tiny.cc/uegcr

Peter Short poised for comeback in Anglo-Welsh Cup

After four-and-a-half months on the sidelines following knee surgery, Peter Short is set to feature in two games in five days.

The 31-year-old made a cameo appearance in Bath United's 45-3 win over Gloucester A on Monday and will feature in tomorrow night's Anglo-Welsh Cup clash with Cardiff Blues.

 

Read more:

http://tiny.cc/z2w2i

Bath Rugby awaits verdict on Luke Watson's injury

Bath Rugby were yesterday unable to put a date on the length of time skipper Luke Watson is likely to spend on the sidelines following the neck injury he suffered against Harlequins.

 

Read more:

http://tiny.cc/2gbsn

Moody to lead England against All Blacks

Bath Rugby flanker Lewis Moody has been selected to lead England against the All Blacks this Saturday, with fellow Bath players Shontayne Hape and David Wilson also in the squad.

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Peter Short to make his return!

There are some familiar faces amongst the Bath United side tonight, as they look to get their first win of the season against Gloucester A, at the Recreation Ground, kick-off 7.15pm.

Bath United team to face Gloucester A
15. Jack Cuthbert
14. Nick Scott
13. Ben Williams
12. Ben Mosses
11. Jacques Boussuge
10. Paul Roberts
9. Mark McMillan
1. David Barnes (Capt.)
2. Ross Batty
3. Aaron Jarvis
4. Jamie Collins
5. John van der Giessen
6. Josh Ovens
7. Guy Mercer
8. Will Skuse

Replacements
16. Ted Stagg
17. Max Ashcroft
18. Kane Palma-Newport
19. Peter Short
20. Joe Ellyatt
21. Chris Cook
22. Ollie Woodburn
23. Chris Lewis