Castres vs Bath

[Epaminondas Pules]

Bath Rugby: 1. Beno Obano, 2. Tom Dunn, 3. Vilikesa Sela, 4. Quinn Roux 5. Ross Molony, 6. Ted Hill, 7. Miles Reid, 8. Alfie Barbeary, 9. Ben Spencer (c), 10. Finn Russell, 11. Will Muir, 12. Cameron Redpath, 13. Max Ojomoh, 14. Henry Arundell, 15. Santi Carreras


Replacements: 16. Kepu Tuipulotu, 17. Francois van Wyk, 18. Thomas du Toit, 19. Josh Bayliss, 20. Guy Pepper, 21 Tom Carr-Smith, 22 Will Butt, 23. Joe Cokanasiga

[fivepointer]

Outstanding win for Bath. Big effort up front with the back row in great form. Sela underlined his huge potential. Lots of nice touches from Ojomoh.

[Puja]

Hard to tell much from the highlights, but a great result for Bath. Fair play to them for taking this competition seriously this year.

Puja

[Which Tyler]

Just watched - I trust that puts to bed the question of whether Barbeary can go 80, or just isn't usually asked to - 80 minutes, and 2nd successive POTM performance - he was unplayable today; as was Mojo
That Muir try on 70' was a thing of absolute beauty

Very impressive by Bath, both result and performance (certainly 2nd half once they'd worked out what the ref was after)

Would love to hear what people who know what they're talking about, think of Sela there

[Beasties]

Just watched - I trust that puts to bed the question of whether Barbeary can go 80, or just isn't usually asked to - 80 minutes, and 2nd successive POTM performance - he was unplayable today; as was Mojo
That Muir try on 70' was a thing of absolute beauty

Very impressive by Bath, both result and performance (certainly 2nd half once they'd worked out what the ref was after)

Would love to hear what people who know what they're talking about, think of Sela there

I was drifting in and out of consciousness in the second half, so my opinion is worth what you paid for it.
But I’ve been really impressed with Sela lately and I’m a pain when it comes to THs. The lad defo has a future.
With him, AOF and Fasogbon we’re looking sorted at TH.
Hayes developed eventually too, hope he can stay fit.

[Puja]

Just watched - I trust that puts to bed the question of whether Barbeary can go 80, or just isn't usually asked to - 80 minutes, and 2nd successive POTM performance - he was unplayable today; as was Mojo
That Muir try on 70' was a thing of absolute beauty

Very impressive by Bath, both result and performance (certainly 2nd half once they'd worked out what the ref was after)

Would love to hear what people who know what they're talking about, think of Sela there

This may actually be the first game where I'm actually regretful that I don't have Premier Sports - an actual throwback big European game, with England youngsters/fringe that I'd love to've cast my eye over. It'd be superb if Barbeary was back in his "first two seasons at Wasps" form. I wonder if he has had a hard conversation where the shock of being informed that he's currently unlikely to get a new contract has spurred him into the decision that, if he wants to fulfil his undoubted potential, he needs to pull his finger out and work for it.

Puja

[Scrumhead]

Perhaps. Either way you look at he’s playing for a new contract. The question is whether that’s at Bath or elsewhere. Putting himself in the shop window in European games might tempt French suitors as well.

Still - good to see him in form and I like the fact that he was awarded POTM for an 80min all round performance that wasn’t just a couple of big carries. If you watch the highlights, he doesn’t feature that much which in it’s own way is quite nice - recognising him for the whole game not just the highlight reel moments.

[Which Tyler]

I still don't see Barb.s being unwanted at Bath.
He may not be a JvG type player - but then, nor is Russell, or Hill, or Bayliss, or Arundell, or Carreras, or...

He seems to be an extremely popular member of the squad, and first choice starter, with a roll he seems to love.
He's just not a gym bunny who loves training - not everyone has to be, and it doesn't mean that he doesn't work hard anyway.

As far as I'm aware, it's all from a Fissler speculation (not even a rumour) that Bath are interested in Du Preez, with everyone having forgotten that Coetzee also exists, and hasn't played since April, with a prognosis that's looking ever more pessimistic.

Of course, none of that means that no-one would offer him more money elsewhere, it just won't be feeling unloved or unwanted at Bath.

[Oakboy]

Didn't see the game but I love to hear that Barbeary did 80 minutes creditably. As a principle, I applaud the scenario where a player is challenged to prove he should stay on. It should apply to all fifteen for every match at any level, IMO. The 'it's a 23-man game trend' has not been a force for good overall. It distorts players' mental and physical fitness profiles.

[Mikey Brown]

I still don't see Barb.s being unwanted at Bath.
He may not be a JvG type player - but then, nor is Russell, or Hill, or Bayliss, or Arundell, or Carreras, or...

He seems to be an extremely popular member of the squad, and first choice starter, with a roll he seems to love.
He's just not a gym bunny who loves training - not everyone has to be, and it doesn't mean that he doesn't work hard anyway.

As far as I'm aware, it's all from a Fissler speculation (not even a rumour) that Bath are interested in Du Preez, with everyone having forgotten that Coetzee also exists, and hasn't played since April, with a prognosis that's looking ever more pessimistic.

Of course, none of that means that no-one would offer him more money elsewhere, it just won't be feeling unloved or unwanted at Bath.

I think like with your centres it can be hard to see through the jumble of JVG/rotation/injury as to who is really first choice. It felt for a while like he was even behind Reid as an 8 option, but maybe that was a fitness thing or prioritizing that bench impact spot.

The concern another one of our few heavyweight carrying options, even if he hasn't been fancied by England so far, disappears off to France. It's easy, and maybe unfair, to characterise some of those players as low work-rate I guess, though with the crop of flankers we have I'd be a bit more forgiving of that anyway.

[Which Tyler]

I think like with your centres it can be hard to see through the jumble of JVG/rotation/injury as to who is really first choice. It felt for a while like he was even behind Reid as an 8 option, but maybe that was a fitness thing or prioritizing that bench impact spot.

Not that hard.
When everyone is fit, Barbeary starts and Coetzee covers 8 from the bench. Alfie as primary tight carrier, then TdT takes that role off the bench, whilst Coetzee carries that touch wider
Without Coetzee, then the preference is Reid starts with Barbeary on the bench. The locks take on extra hard carrying duties, then Barb.s take that role off the bench.

[Mikey Brown]

I don't know why that deserves a condescending response, I'm just explaining why more casual viewers might have seen Barbeary benched for a period and not known whether that was him falling out of form or favour.

[Which Tyler]

My apologies, that's my failure.
Didn't intend any condescension at all.

[Mikey Brown]

Nae bother. Maybe I read that wrong.

Anyway, point stands that it’s great to see Barbeary stringing some top performances together. I don’t know if he’s got what Borthwick wants, given his persistence with Earl at 8, but it would be fun to see him for England at some point.