EPCR Challenge Cup

[Which Tyler]

Has anyone got a stream for this?

Hear hear - mine are all broken today

 

[Reiser99]

Why don't Scottish commentators know the rules. It's not about changing lines anymore, it's about allowing access to the ball.

 

[Ddanno]

Sounds like Bath are having a bit of a mare

 

[Bluemoon]

This game is largely Baths to lose. I really want a Racing / Bath final as I’d enjoy seeing that live, it’d be a great occasion versus paying top ££ to see Edinburgh play

 

[Ddanno]

Pulling away a bit now

 

[Reiser99]

Wonder if Bath took Russell off too early.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Joe C just always looks completely unaware of his surroundings

 

[Reiser99]

Little bit harsh on Ritchie, definitely seen those not given.

 

[Reiser99]

Scoreline flatters Bath. Still job done.

 

[Ddanno]

Scot Hollie Davidson first female to take charge of European final

Scottish referee Hollie Davidson will become the first woman to take charge of a EPCR final when she officiates Bath v Lyon on 23 May.

www.bbc.co.uk

Good ref imo, hope she goes well.

 

[Which Tyler]

Date: Friday 23 May 2025
Time: 20:00
Roof: Closed
Ref: Hollie Davidson (SCO)
TJs: Referees Gianluca Gnecchi (ITA) & Eoghan Cross (IRE)
TMO: Mike Adamson (SCO)

BATH:
1 Beno Obano
2 Tom Dunn
3 Will Stuart
4 Quinn Roux
5 Charlie Ewels
6 Ted Hill
7 Sam Underhill
8 Miles Reid

09 Ben Spencer (c)
10 Finn Russell
11 Will Muir
12 Will Butt
13 Max Ojomoh
14 Joe Cokanasiga
15 Tom de Glanville


16 Niall Annett, 17 Francois van Wyk, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Ross Molony, 20 Guy Pepper, 23 Alfie Barbeary
21 Tom Carr-Smith, 22 Ciaran Donoghue

LYON:
1 Rey
2 Chat
3 Ainsley
4 William
5 Guillard
6 Cretin
7 Saginadze
8 Botha

09 Couilloud (c)
10 Berdeu
11 Dumortier
12 Millet
13 Maraku
14 Rattez
15 Niniashvili

16 Marchand, 17 Kaabèche, 18 Aptsiauri, 19 Lambey, 20 Allen, 21 Gouzou
22 Page-Relo, 23 Méliande.

 

[Ddanno]

Nice to see Davidson get the game,very solid ref imo

 

[saulan]

Date: Friday 23 May 2025
Time: 20:00
Roof: Closed
Ref: Hollie Davidson (SCO)
TJs: Referees Gianluca Gnecchi (ITA) & Eoghan Cross (IRE)
TMO: Mike Adamson (SCO)

BATH:
1 Beno Obano
2 Tom Dunn
3 Will Stuart
4 Quinn Roux
5 Charlie Ewels
6 Ted Hill
7 Sam Underhill
8 Miles Reid

09 Ben Spencer (c)
10 Finn Russell
11 Will Muir
12 Will Butt
13 Max Ojomoh
14 Joe Cokanasiga
15 Tom de Glanville


16 Niall Annett, 17 Francois van Wyk, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Ross Molony, 20 Guy Pepper, 23 Alfie Barbeary
21 Tom Carr-Smith, 22 Ciaran Donoghue

What's the positioning of du Toit on the bench here? Is he not the first choice prop, or is this a bomb squad type play?

Nice to see Davidson get the game,very solid ref imo

She's the best the URC has to offer in terms of a ref and I'm glad she is getting some more mens internationals in the next few months.

 

[Which Tyler]

What's the positioning of du Toit on the bench here? Is he not the first choice prop, or is this a bomb squad type play?

We tend to wear out opponents with the starters, and use the bench to destroy them and pull away in the final quarter.
TdT isn't quite as good as either starting prop in pure propping terms; but is maybe more destructive as a THP (I guess that's the LHP in him), than Stuart's immovable act - and he's better at things like 2m drive at the try-line - so using him off the bench plays to his strongest suits, whilst starting Stuart plays to his.

Similar reasoning for Coetzee being used almost exclusively off the bench at 8 before being injured (and why Bar-beer-y switches from starting to benching now Coetzee's out).
Malony is the only bench player who brings on solidity rather than threat in and of himself - which in turn, means that TdT's got his power and fresh legs giving him some shove when he's attacking in the scrum.

 

[Becca]

Good luck Bath

 

[Ddanno]

Good luck Bath

Yeah, ******* nail them!

 

[Which Tyler]

Which RWC did DuToit win?
Presenters forgetting the difference between hype and reality again?
Or am I missing something?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Which RWC did DuToit win?
Presenters forgetting the difference between hype and reality again?
Or am I missing something?

He was in the 2019 squad - "only" played in the groups, but the medal looks just as shiny on his mantle

 

[Which Tyler]

TY
I obviously want paying attention to him then

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

Am I missing something. Surely Bath are going to win this game by 20 points?