Bath v Blues

[Numbers]

Not a great match to watch, Faletau was excellent, Nicky Robinson threw an interception pass again and George Earle got a red card for potential gouging.

[TibetanBlue]

Didn't see the match.
Reading Danny Wilson's comments (and the WalesOnline reports) they make it sound like Earle's red card was responsible for the big loss. But it looks like we were already quite far behind when it happened.
I have to say, I'm pretty dissapointed with the performance of the Blues this year. It started alright (highlight was the away win at Munster) but we've done sod all else of note since. I think Wilson needs to start turning things around pretty quickly - we've got some good players and have made some good signings.

[Numbers]

Didn't see the match.
Reading Danny Wilson's comments (and the WalesOnline reports) they make it sound like Earle's red card was responsible for the big loss. But it looks like we were already quite far behind when it happened.
I have to say, I'm pretty dissapointed with the performance of the Blues this year. It started alright (highlight was the away win at Munster) but we've done sod all else of note since. I think Wilson needs to start turning things around pretty quickly - we've got some good players and have made some good signings.

They gave away a try shortly after Myhill got a yellow for a tip tackle and the red card came as a result of them going back in the video footage when the try was scored, this left the Blues with 13 men for 8 minutes and 14 for the rest of the game which was approx 35 minutes.

They could of done with a ball carrier last night, Nick Williams has an ongoing calf injury which seems to be why Ulster offloaded him, it will be interesting to see how many games he plays this season.

The Blues, as you know, are also badly stricken with injuries at the moment which hasn't helped matters.

[Which Tyler]

Both cards were in the harsh-but-fair yellows category or current interpretation. I felt the the red was extremely harsh, but once they've gone to the TMO (and boy did that ref like using his TMO) then it becomes the letter of the law and no room for interpretation.
Earle was reaching for the ball in a maul, with his head down; was (way) short of the ball, and in bringing his hand back it made fleeting contact with Ellis' eye area; the hand was removed instantly; but the TMO insisted on slow-mo replays. Technically hands in the eye area, and technically a red, but I doubt that even this ref would have done so if he'd seen it properly at the time.

Bath were ahead on the score-board at the time of the first card; and were the better team, just lacking that final pass; but the cards killed it as a contest; but probably only affected the margin, not the likely winner.

I really wouldn't read too much into it; with the number of injuries you guys are suffering (and Bath were only a couple of weeks ago) then you can only do your best, and eventually your best just won't be good enough. Playing with 1 back 3 player in the squad will get you found out by a team like Bath's


The only part Cardiff should be ashamed of, is Ross Batty - you let a hooker score 2 tries; one of them from 60-70 yards out!

[Sandydragon]

Was Earle even looking where his hand was? Gouging is an offence that should be stamped down on hard. But, from the replays sky have shown, this wasn't gouging.

[Which Tyler]

Nope, he had no idea.
For me it was reckless, and yellow at worst; but it does fulfill current red card criteria. About a year ago Ashton got 13 weeks for a similarly innocuous one, do I guess it's consistent. I don't like it, but if it's a phase the game has to go through to stamp it out, then... I can accept it I guess