By DavenportSharky
#71857
Sale Sharks v Bath Rugby
Referee: Karl Dickson (93rd Premiership match)
ARs: Jack Makepeace & Jamie Leahy
TMO: Peter Allan

Odds to win
Sale Sharks 6/5
Bath 6/7
Draw 28/1
By PappjeShark
#71860
Has anyone else entered the competition sent out this week to win hospitality for 4 at this weekend’s game, courtesy of Lanx shoes?

I ask as the prize is stated for the Bath game on 26th Jan 2025, however the small print on the entry form says it closes in May.
By dinogyro
#71866
I entered just seeing 'free tickets', then realised I can't go anyway!
By DavenportSharky
#71868
Sale Sharks Starting XV:  

15. Joe Carpenter, 14. O’Flaherty, 13. Will Addison, 12. Rekeiti Ma’asi-White, 11. Arron Reed, 10. Rob du Preez ©, 9. Gus Warr, 1. Si McIntyre, 2. Ethan Caine, 3. WillGriff John, 4. Ernst van Rhyn, 5. Hyron Andrews, 6. Jean-Luc du Preez, 7. Sam Dugdale, 8. Dan du Preez.  

Replacements:  

16. Tadgh McElroy, 17. Tumy Onasanya, 18. Tye Raymont, 19. Jonny Hill, 20. Ben Bamber, 21. Nye Thomas, 22. Alex Wills, 23. Sam Bedlow.
By RinTin
#71869
I can live with that. Hoping Dugdale really goes hard this game to show what he can do.

Anyone have any information on Tye Raymont??

No Le Roux Roets is a pretty clear message.
By RinTin
#71870
Bath Rugby Starting XV: 1 Beno Obano, 2 Niall Annett, 3 Thomas du Toit, 4 Quinn Roux, 5 Charlie Ewels ©, 6 Josh Bayliss, 7 Miles Reid, 8 Alfie Barbeary, 9 Louis Schreuder ©, 10 Finn Russell, 11 Ruaridh McConnochie, 12 Will Butt, 13 Max Ojomoh, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 15 Tom de Glanville

Replacements: 16 Kepu Tuipulotu, 17 Francois van Wyk, 18 Vilikesa Sela, 19 Ross Molony, 20 Ewan Richards, 21 Tom Carr-Smith, 22 Orlando Bailey, 23 Jaco Coetzee

Sweet Mother of God.

Their bench doesn't look great, but the rest is very strong. Will Butt is under rated at 12.
By DavenportSharky
#71871
Bath Rugby Starting XV: 1 Beno Obano, 2 Niall Annett, 3 Thomas du Toit, 4 Quinn Roux, 5 Charlie Ewels ©, 6 Josh Bayliss, 7 Miles Reid, 8 Alfie Barbeary, 9 Louis Schreuder ©, 10 Finn Russell, 11 Ruaridh McConnochie, 12 Will Butt, 13 Max Ojomoh, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 15 Tom de Glanville

Replacements: 16 Kepu Tuipulotu, 17 Francois van Wyk, 18 Vilikesa Sela, 19 Ross Molony, 20 Ewan Richards, 21 Tom Carr-Smith, 22 Orlando Bailey, 23 Jaco Coetzee

MATCH DETAILS

Fixture: Sale Sharks v Bath Rugby
Date: Sunday 26 January 2025
Time: 15:00
Location: Salford Community Stadium
Competition: Gallagher Premiership
Round: Pool Stage, Round 11
Coverage: TNT Sports, ITV 4, X (written commentary)

Referee: Karl Dickson
Assistant Referees: Jack Makepeace & Jamie Leahy
TMO: Peter Allan
User avatar
By SSR
#71872
Interesting side. Not sure who will cover 10 if RDP gets injured or is having a mare.
I will hold my optimism until I have seen the Bath side. Just seen the Bath side and hopeful
we don't get a pasting.
By DavenportSharky
#71873
“Leeds-born Tye Raymont started playing rugby at his local club, West Park Leeds, at the age of four, staying there until he was 16.

He went to Prince Henry's Grammar School from year seven to year 11 before leaving to go to Bishop Burton Rugby College, where he stayed until the age of 18, combining his studies with rugby at Yorkshire Academy.

Tye, who has played for England at u18 level, joined Sale in 2022 and signed his first Senior Academy contract ahead of the 2023/24 season. “

From the offy
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By Olyy
#71876
Bedlow played 10 a few times at Bristol, so presumably him


Side looks as strong as we can put out, so no arguments from me - hoping RMW continues to grow, and looking forward to seeing Tye

Not expecting anything from the game, just hoping we can put in a good account of ourselves
dinogyro liked this
By Surbiton_Shark
#71877
Our side isn't quite as bad as I feared - obvious observations about number of personnel being match rusty and more importantly not used to playing together - how many different centre pairings have we had.....Luke James must be crock

Bath side looks strong though good for us Spencer isn't playing - he's very good at match control.

Nice to see Addison back at 13.....still got memories of him taking an outside line and just burning people off with pace.......
User avatar
By Yareet
#71878
RinTin wrote:
Fri Jan 24, 2025 12:04 pm
Bath Rugby Starting XV: 1 Beno Obano, 2 Niall Annett, 3 Thomas du Toit, 4 Quinn Roux, 5 Charlie Ewels ©, 6 Josh Bayliss, 7 Miles Reid, 8 Alfie Barbeary, 9 Louis Schreuder ©, 10 Finn Russell, 11 Ruaridh McConnochie, 12 Will Butt, 13 Max Ojomoh, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 15 Tom de Glanville

Replacements: 16 Kepu Tuipulotu, 17 Francois van Wyk, 18 Vilikesa Sela, 19 Ross Molony, 20 Ewan Richards, 21 Tom Carr-Smith, 22 Orlando Bailey, 23 Jaco Coetzee

Sweet Mother of God.

Their bench doesn't look great, but the rest is very strong. Will Butt is under rated at 12.
I concur :yikes: :yikes: :yikes: :yikes: :yikes:
By PappjeShark
#71880
Two of last season’s top 4 meet in a free-to-air televised game for what should be a huge clash between the current league leaders and our own inconsistent selves defending our long home record.

Until the lunatics in charge of rugby asylum did their scheduling thing and took over half of our likely starting lineup out of the equation. What a farce.
By RinTin
#71881
Squads aside, I fear the weather is very likely to dampen this spectacle. Doesn't look great for Sunday afternoon. Could suit us, but doesn't make for attractive rugby. Hopefully Caine finds his darts.
By RinTin
#71883
dinogyro wrote:
Fri Jan 24, 2025 12:56 pm
I don't need attractive, any win will do!
Point was made above about it being a top 4 clash on free to air tv (big deal to draw in fans). Depleted squads impact the game. I was adding that the weather would likely do that anyway.

Wins a win I agree. Give me a 6-3 old school game. Up the jumper etc.
By PACMANPROP
#71885
I really feel confused by the comments on here. How many games have we played during the 6 nations in the past, when we have had no players in the squad with the basic idea that we would have a big chance to win. Now we have 6 members in the squad and all we get is negative feedback.
My recollection is that the playoffs were arranged to cater for just this problem.
So live with it and hope for a win.
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By poyntonshark
#71887
Surbiton_Shark wrote:
Fri Jan 24, 2025 12:30 pm
Nice to see Addison back at 13.....still got memories of him taking an outside line and just burning people off with pace.......
It was a hell of a sight, unfortunately, my memories of me doing that are only a few years older than those of Will.
User avatar
By Flumpty
#71888
PACMANPROP wrote:
Fri Jan 24, 2025 10:35 pm

My recollection is that the playoffs were arranged to cater for just this problem.

Like you, I thought that one of the ideas of the playoffs was to "even the field" , as well as adding some wonga
By RinTin
#71889
PACMANPROP wrote:
Fri Jan 24, 2025 10:35 pm
I really feel confused by the comments on here. How many games have we played during the 6 nations in the past, when we have had no players in the squad with the basic idea that we would have a big chance to win. Now we have 6 members in the squad and all we get is negative feedback.
My recollection is that the playoffs were arranged to cater for just this problem.
So live with it and hope for a win.
They were yes, but every club has fans saying the same as us. Sarries and Quins fans have made plenty of comments about it too. It’s a grumble every year without fail.

Just because it’s catered for to a degree doesn’t make it any less annoying, especially when the Welsh and Scottish lads in the league are still turning out for club sides in England.

It’s 8 members by the way away with England including our entire front row, starting 6+7, starting half backs and our top wing threat. Teams essentially pay the price for having good English talent which is difficult to swallow given the fine financial margins at play for club rugby. Top 4 means a huge amount more in extra revenue, same with achieving top 6 to be in the top table of Europe. Achieving those targets are put at risk by having weak squads for 2 prem weekends (now and post 6 nations).

I don’t think it can ever be done fairly. It is what it is, still annoying. My toddler woke up 3 times last night - is it what it is and I move forward, doesn’t mean I can’t have a moan about it right?
User avatar
By Yareet
#71890
RinTin wrote:
Sat Jan 25, 2025 12:05 pm
PACMANPROP wrote:
Fri Jan 24, 2025 10:35 pm
I really feel confused by the comments on here. How many games have we played during the 6 nations in the past, when we have had no players in the squad with the basic idea that we would have a big chance to win. Now we have 6 members in the squad and all we get is negative feedback.
My recollection is that the playoffs were arranged to cater for just this problem.
So live with it and hope for a win.
They were yes, but every club has fans saying the same as us. Sarries and Quins fans have made plenty of comments about it too. It’s a grumble every year without fail.

Just because it’s catered for to a degree doesn’t make it any less annoying, especially when the Welsh and Scottish lads in the league are still turning out for club sides in England.

It’s 8 members by the way away with England including our entire front row, starting 6+7, starting half backs and our top wing threat. Teams essentially pay the price for having good English talent which is difficult to swallow given the fine financial margins at play for club rugby. Top 4 means a huge amount more in extra revenue, same with achieving top 6 to be in the top table of Europe. Achieving those targets are put at risk by having weak squads for 2 prem weekends (now and post 6 nations).

I don’t think it can ever be done fairly. It is what it is, still annoying. My toddler woke up 3 times last night - is it what it is and I move forward, doesn’t mean I can’t have a moan about it right?
The alternative would be that there are no games during the training camps.

So the last Prem game would’ve been on 3rd Jan and the next one would be 21st March.
By PappjeShark
#71893
There’s various angles to it, one being as mentioned that Scottish and Welsh players are available but English aren’t.

And while I get the point about playoffs and also about taking advantage (I remember always seeing a home game against Sarries during the 6N as a chance to sneak a win), we’ve seen 3 clubs go bust in the last couple of years. There are 4 fewer game weeks required and I don’t see why a schedule can’t be worked out to avoid these kind of clashes. English rugby is in a shambles at the moment, with loss-making businesses trying to solve their financial woes by spending more money on players. Personally, I don’t think the best way to grow the game and make it successful includes stripping clubs of the best players like this. It might have used to be like this but that doesn’t mean it should stay the same way.

Bit of an unintended rant against the administration of the game I admit! Tomorrow’s game just feels to me symptomatic of where the game is going wrong.
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User avatar
By Yareet
#71894
PappjeShark wrote:
Sat Jan 25, 2025 9:06 pm
There’s various angles to it, one being as mentioned that Scottish and Welsh players are available but English aren’t.

And while I get the point about playoffs and also about taking advantage (I remember always seeing a home game against Sarries during the 6N as a chance to sneak a win), we’ve seen 3 clubs go bust in the last couple of years. There are 4 fewer game weeks required and I don’t see why a schedule can’t be worked out to avoid these kind of clashes. English rugby is in a shambles at the moment, with loss-making businesses trying to solve their financial woes by spending more money on players. Personally, I don’t think the best way to grow the game and make it successful includes stripping clubs of the best players like this. It might have used to be like this but that doesn’t mean it should stay the same way.

Bit of an unintended rant against the administration of the game I admit! Tomorrow’s game just feels to me symptomatic of where the game is going wrong.
20 prem weeks
8 European weeks
7 (soon to be 6) 6N weeks
3-4 AI weeks
4 summer tour weeks
3x 1 week training camp (before each Test block)

That’s 45-46 weeks (44-45 next year). Add in the 10 weeks of advised rest and there aren’t enough weeks in the year.
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User avatar
By SSR
#71896
Make the AIs into SIs and alternate every year between them and Summer tours. Simples!
User avatar
By Which Tyler
#71897
PappjeShark wrote:
Sat Jan 25, 2025 9:06 pm
There’s various angles to it, one being as mentioned that Scottish and Welsh players are available but English aren’t.

And while I get the point about playoffs and also about taking advantage (I remember always seeing a home game against Sarries during the 6N as a chance to sneak a win), we’ve seen 3 clubs go bust in the last couple of years. There are 4 fewer game weeks required and I don’t see why a schedule can’t be worked out to avoid these kind of clashes. English rugby is in a shambles at the moment, with loss-making businesses trying to solve their financial woes by spending more money on players. Personally, I don’t think the best way to grow the game and make it successful includes stripping clubs of the best players like this. It might have used to be like this but that doesn’t mean it should stay the same way.

Bit of an unintended rant against the administration of the game I admit! Tomorrow’s game just feels to me symptomatic of where the game is going wrong.
It's not beyond the wit of man to avoid clashes with training weeks; but you have to choose your poison; what do you sacrifice to find those extra 2 weeks?
2 clashes where the clubs lose their England players
2 clashes where the clubs lose their England players AND their Welsh/Scottish/Italian players
Lose the play-offs, and the money they draw in (avoiding clashes also removes the original justification for these)
Shorter rest period between the end of one season, and the pre-season - which is already shorter than it ought to be for player welfare
Shorter pre-season - which is unacceptable to club coaches
Refuse to release EPS players for training weeks, which would be a breach of contract, and lose the clubs ~£3.5M per club per year that the RFU pay for that release
Find a year with 54 weeks instead of 52
SSR wrote:
Sun Jan 26, 2025 6:30 am
Make the AIs into SIs and alternate every year between them and Summer tours. Simples!
So bankrupt the RFU, and lose their ability to pay the clubs ~£3.5M each per year, and their ability to pay anything at all to the championship clubs, and their ability to administer and assist the community game?
And we think that Bill Sweeney's mis-managed things!
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By SSR
#71899
Reduce the League further and join the URC if they will have us ? Every game would be
more "International" and could be sold on that basis ? Insularity is killing the game in
this country. Promotion to the top league would be a prize worth having.
Of course Wales situation might be an example not to emulate.
User avatar
By Which Tyler
#71901
Sorry, I thought we were discussing a way to avoid international absentees from club rugby.
Yes, the French have a far more collaborative approach to professional rugby.
Yes, and B&I league may be an option (with or without the South Africans and Italians).
Neither seems to be a solution to the problem of domestic and international rugby clashing with each other.
User avatar
By Major Bloodnok
#71902
Yareet wrote:
Sat Jan 25, 2025 11:37 pm
PappjeShark wrote:
Sat Jan 25, 2025 9:06 pm
There’s various angles to it, one being as mentioned that Scottish and Welsh players are available but English aren’t.

And while I get the point about playoffs and also about taking advantage (I remember always seeing a home game against Sarries during the 6N as a chance to sneak a win), we’ve seen 3 clubs go bust in the last couple of years. There are 4 fewer game weeks required and I don’t see why a schedule can’t be worked out to avoid these kind of clashes. English rugby is in a shambles at the moment, with loss-making businesses trying to solve their financial woes by spending more money on players. Personally, I don’t think the best way to grow the game and make it successful includes stripping clubs of the best players like this. It might have used to be like this but that doesn’t mean it should stay the same way.

Bit of an unintended rant against the administration of the game I admit! Tomorrow’s game just feels to me symptomatic of where the game is going wrong.
20 prem weeks
8 European weeks
7 (soon to be 6) 6N weeks
3-4 AI weeks
4 summer tour weeks
3x 1 week training camp (before each Test block)

That’s 45-46 weeks (44-45 next year). Add in the 10 weeks of advised rest and there aren’t enough weeks in the year.
If the 6N were 6 weeks this year, there wouldn't be a problem. Rest weeks we can cope with: they can be spread out. It's losing all the players at once that's problematic.
RinTin liked this
By RinTin
#71903
Thanks BBC
Attachments
Screenshot 2025-01-26 104129.png
BBC website showing no bias at all....
Screenshot 2025-01-26 104129.png (57.84 KiB) Viewed 1125 times
By Olyy
#71904
Guessing the browser is picking up the french words in the Top 14 fixtures and translating the whole page from french to English
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User avatar
By Yareet
#71907
Major Bloodnok wrote:
Sun Jan 26, 2025 10:28 am
Yareet wrote:
Sat Jan 25, 2025 11:37 pm
PappjeShark wrote:
Sat Jan 25, 2025 9:06 pm
There’s various angles to it, one being as mentioned that Scottish and Welsh players are available but English aren’t.

And while I get the point about playoffs and also about taking advantage (I remember always seeing a home game against Sarries during the 6N as a chance to sneak a win), we’ve seen 3 clubs go bust in the last couple of years. There are 4 fewer game weeks required and I don’t see why a schedule can’t be worked out to avoid these kind of clashes. English rugby is in a shambles at the moment, with loss-making businesses trying to solve their financial woes by spending more money on players. Personally, I don’t think the best way to grow the game and make it successful includes stripping clubs of the best players like this. It might have used to be like this but that doesn’t mean it should stay the same way.

Bit of an unintended rant against the administration of the game I admit! Tomorrow’s game just feels to me symptomatic of where the game is going wrong.
20 prem weeks
8 European weeks
7 (soon to be 6) 6N weeks
3-4 AI weeks
4 summer tour weeks
3x 1 week training camp (before each Test block)

That’s 45-46 weeks (44-45 next year). Add in the 10 weeks of advised rest and there aren’t enough weeks in the year.
If the 6N were 6 weeks this year, there wouldn't be a problem. Rest weeks we can cope with: they can be spread out. It's losing all the players at once that's problematic.
Not sure about that, tbh. That’s still 44-45 playing weeks and the suggestion is 10 weeks’ rest post season.
User avatar
By Which Tyler
#71909
Beardedshark wrote:
Sun Jan 26, 2025 1:25 pm
How do the French manage it with 14 teams? No prem cup?
No Prem Cup, "happy" for club fixtures to clash with internationals, and a longer season.
I believe they do a shorter pre-season, rather than shorter holiday period (but reserve the right to be wrong) and do a LOT more squad rotation throughout the season.
By Olyy
#71910
Great finish from Reed, wasn't sure if the long miss pass gave the defence long enough to drift but some great feet to get in from Reed


Looks like it's gonna be one of those days from the tee
By RugbyMarvel
#71911
Ball is going to be called out very quickly by Dickson. Warr needs to get it out a hell of a lot quicker.
Olyy liked this
By Olyy
#71914
Questionable interpretation of that ball being out, imo, but equally gotta stop fannying about so much back there


WGJ off for a HIA, Ramont on for a Prem debut
Last edited by Olyy on Sun Jan 26, 2025 3:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
By Olyy
#71916
Some nice touches from Addison so far,
Stepping in at first receiver quite a lot, too - imagine that helps with our attack if we're building it around a Ford/RdP 10/13
By Olyy
#71917
Solid first scrum for Tye considering who he's up against

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