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Premiership 24/25 - Playoffs
- Thread starter TRF_Olyy
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Hard to see past a couple of relatively comfortable home wins, IMO
Might feel different if we'd have beaten Tigers a couple of weeks ago (then again we'd be at home if we did) - just don't think we can match their intensity for 80, our tendency to switch off is too engrained atm
Then again: knock out rugby, anything can happen
Might feel different if we'd have beaten Tigers a couple of weeks ago (then again we'd be at home if we did) - just don't think we can match their intensity for 80, our tendency to switch off is too engrained atm
Then again: knock out rugby, anything can happen
I think Sale might do it in a knock out game, no idea why just think they’re got one last big game in them.
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Can’t see past a Bath v Sale final.
Bears vs Sharks final would be nice.
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Worst option unless you're a Sale fan. Latter almost guaranteed a win. I think a Leicester v Bristol final is the best spectacle and the path to get there provides highest interest/drama during the semi finals weekend.
JVP and Chessum took serious knocks v Falcons last week and are doubtful
2500 tickets held back for Bristol.
2150 returned unsold.
I would imagine we'll be seeing far more than 350 Bristol supporters though; they'd surely have been pretty confident of 4th place for a whole week (and possibly longer) before absolute confirmation and allocated to Bristol.
Personally, I still dislike the idea of coralling visiting fans into 1 location, and I hope it doesn't become a permanent thing - but so long as it doesn't become an actual separation thing, I can live with it.
2150 returned unsold.
I would imagine we'll be seeing far more than 350 Bristol supporters though; they'd surely have been pretty confident of 4th place for a whole week (and possibly longer) before absolute confirmation and allocated to Bristol.
Personally, I still dislike the idea of coralling visiting fans into 1 location, and I hope it doesn't become a permanent thing - but so long as it doesn't become an actual separation thing, I can live with it.
That would certainly change things a bit, Tigers uptick in form is in no short part down to JvPs return and return to form
Bath's unavailable should be
Lawrence, Coetzee, (Harris) - injured
Underhill - banned
? Redpath - injury doubt
On selection, I think JvG prefers to start Stuart, with TdT on the bench.
Will can be an immovable rock against their best LHP, TdT can then go to town destroying their backup. Also means that he's charging for the line from 1-2m out against tired legs/brains.
Equally, I think he wants his most exploitative ball carrying 8 on the bench to make hay after the workrate battering ram has been doing his job for 55 minutes; which means Reid starts, Barbeary benches.
That's the "bomb squad" / "wrecking crew" mentality IMO - not just having more starter-quality players to pack the bench with; but with having your more explosive option on the bench (key positions at least) to fully exploit any tired legs they can find out there.
I've a little doubt on Maloney vs Staddon on the bench... Must be a temptation (again, think "bomb squad") to have a full backrow on the bench, and trust Hill/Bayliss to cover lock if necessary - which we can do if we don't ask Ewels&Roux to do any real carrying - tackle your man, defend your try line, but more-or-less go from set piece to set piece. Of course, there's also the option of Richards to "properly" cover both lock and backrow...
IF FIT, then Redpath over Butt; but they play a different roll - so I think it also means being fit to play already, to play a full part in training during the week.
I trust Cam's judgement in defence more, and his hands. I also have him as a better jackler for what that's worth at IC (a lot if Pepper can deliver a tackled ballcarrier at his feet). Both need 2 defenders to keep an eye on them, albeit for different reasons. Will is probably better at committing that second defender, but Cam better at getting the ball out to whoever has that extra step of space created by the defender's doubt.
The only other question for the 23 was put to bed on Friday, with Orlando starting and Ciaran wrapped in cotton wool.
We'll need Ben and Finn to be knock-out mode, exerting full control and keeping calm heads and clear instructions. Getting sucked into a high-tempo, loose-ball match is how we lost the home match back in Week 3.
I'd select
Obano, Dunn, Stuart
Ewels, Roux
Hill, Pepper, Reid
Spencer, Russell
Redpath/Butt, Ojomoh
Muir, Cokanasiga, DeGlanville
Annett, VanWyk, DuToit, Richards, Bayliss, Barbeary
Carr-Smith, Donoghue
Lawrence, Coetzee, (Harris) - injured
Underhill - banned
? Redpath - injury doubt
On selection, I think JvG prefers to start Stuart, with TdT on the bench.
Will can be an immovable rock against their best LHP, TdT can then go to town destroying their backup. Also means that he's charging for the line from 1-2m out against tired legs/brains.
Equally, I think he wants his most exploitative ball carrying 8 on the bench to make hay after the workrate battering ram has been doing his job for 55 minutes; which means Reid starts, Barbeary benches.
That's the "bomb squad" / "wrecking crew" mentality IMO - not just having more starter-quality players to pack the bench with; but with having your more explosive option on the bench (key positions at least) to fully exploit any tired legs they can find out there.
I've a little doubt on Maloney vs Staddon on the bench... Must be a temptation (again, think "bomb squad") to have a full backrow on the bench, and trust Hill/Bayliss to cover lock if necessary - which we can do if we don't ask Ewels&Roux to do any real carrying - tackle your man, defend your try line, but more-or-less go from set piece to set piece. Of course, there's also the option of Richards to "properly" cover both lock and backrow...
IF FIT, then Redpath over Butt; but they play a different roll - so I think it also means being fit to play already, to play a full part in training during the week.
I trust Cam's judgement in defence more, and his hands. I also have him as a better jackler for what that's worth at IC (a lot if Pepper can deliver a tackled ballcarrier at his feet). Both need 2 defenders to keep an eye on them, albeit for different reasons. Will is probably better at committing that second defender, but Cam better at getting the ball out to whoever has that extra step of space created by the defender's doubt.
The only other question for the 23 was put to bed on Friday, with Orlando starting and Ciaran wrapped in cotton wool.
We'll need Ben and Finn to be knock-out mode, exerting full control and keeping calm heads and clear instructions. Getting sucked into a high-tempo, loose-ball match is how we lost the home match back in Week 3.
I'd select
Obano, Dunn, Stuart
Ewels, Roux
Hill, Pepper, Reid
Spencer, Russell
Redpath/Butt, Ojomoh
Muir, Cokanasiga, DeGlanville
Annett, VanWyk, DuToit, Richards, Bayliss, Barbeary
Carr-Smith, Donoghue
When was the last time a team with an away semi final won the league?
I think Quins in 2021 during Covid was the only team to ever do it? I could be wrong
I think Quins in 2021 during Covid was the only team to ever do it? I could be wrong
Saracens in 2015 as well, but I think that's it
Cheika says JVP is fit to play. (Fingers cross because IMO he's our only chance of winning)
Pat Lam blames Bath ticket prices for raining on Bristol's parade
The Bears failed to sell out their 2,135 ticket allocation for Friday night's West Country Premiership play-off showdown against Bath.
www.rugbypass.com
£45-£105 for an uncovered seat is quite a lot tbf - imagine it'll still sell out regardless though,
And, like you said, there'll be Bristol fans who bought general sale rather than allocated
Tigers prices for it I feel have been reasonable
Surprised it's £105 for UNcovered, but...
I was priced out of live rugby years ago, and everyone's going to have a price point where they just can't afford it.
Whilst they're selling out, and rugby needs all the £$€ it can get, I don't feel I can complain, even if it does mean that I can't attend
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Actually starts at £60 minimum for unallocated standing or worst seats imaginable in the corner by the urinals and chemical toilets. "Bronze" tier seating starts at £80!
B*th fans been encouraging the club to price out Bristol fans, amongst other distasteful stuff. Their club obliged. Standard behaviour for the
scum down the road.Leicester pricing is basically half of the above, with their vastly superior facilities and match day experience. Well done.
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On a brighter note;
Bristol Bears team to face Bath Rugby in the Gallagher Premiership semi-final at The Recreation Ground on Friday night (7.45pm KO):
15. Noah Heward (27 apps),
14. Kalaveti Ravouvou (31 apps),
13. Benhard Janse van Rensburg (49 apps),
12. James Williams (54 apps),
11. Gabriel Ibitoye (58 apps),
10. AJ MacGinty (52 apps),
9. Harry Randall (145 apps);
1. Ellis Genge (60 apps),
2. Gabriel Oghre (42 apps),
3. George Kloska (64 apps),
4. James Dun (52 apps),
5. Joe Batley (74 apps),
6. Steven Luatua (152 apps),
7. Fitz Harding (c) (96 apps),
8. Viliame Mata (17 apps).
System players: 16. Harry Thacker (132 apps), 17. Jake Woolmore (168 apps), 18. Max Lahiff (110 apps), 19. Pedro Rubiolo (1 app), 20. Santiago Grondona (15 apps), 21. Kieran Marmion (51 apps), 22. Harry Byrne (10 apps), 23. Jack Bates (52 apps).
Unavailable: Lovejoy Chawatama, Joe Owen, George Taylor, Harry Rowson, Max Malins, Rich Lane.
UP THE BEARS
Bristol Bears team to face Bath Rugby in the Gallagher Premiership semi-final at The Recreation Ground on Friday night (7.45pm KO):
15. Noah Heward (27 apps),
14. Kalaveti Ravouvou (31 apps),
13. Benhard Janse van Rensburg (49 apps),
12. James Williams (54 apps),
11. Gabriel Ibitoye (58 apps),
10. AJ MacGinty (52 apps),
9. Harry Randall (145 apps);
1. Ellis Genge (60 apps),
2. Gabriel Oghre (42 apps),
3. George Kloska (64 apps),
4. James Dun (52 apps),
5. Joe Batley (74 apps),
6. Steven Luatua (152 apps),
7. Fitz Harding (c) (96 apps),
8. Viliame Mata (17 apps).
System players: 16. Harry Thacker (132 apps), 17. Jake Woolmore (168 apps), 18. Max Lahiff (110 apps), 19. Pedro Rubiolo (1 app), 20. Santiago Grondona (15 apps), 21. Kieran Marmion (51 apps), 22. Harry Byrne (10 apps), 23. Jack Bates (52 apps).
Unavailable: Lovejoy Chawatama, Joe Owen, George Taylor, Harry Rowson, Max Malins, Rich Lane.
UP THE BEARS
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