Bath v Toulouse

[An Tarbh]

<div align='center'>

Bath v Toulouse</div>

Bath will be glad to get back onto the pitch following the week they've just had and it'll be interesting to see whether the events of the week have galvanised them or shattered them.

By the time kickoff comes around both sides will know exactly what it takes for them to qualify. A win for both sides gets the job done while Bath have slightly more leeway as a bp defeat would put them on 20 points alongside what is likely to be at least 2 more sides and given their try count is healthier than others they could well qualify as a runner up.

Toulouse can't afford such a luxury, it's win or bust for the 3 times champions. Yet despite the shock of that defeat last week a win could well see them get a home quarter final so the talk of no French representation in the last 8 is slightly premature, plenty of French sides have gone to England on the final day of action and got wins to get them through.

Probably the hardest match of the weekend to call, so certainly a case of saving the best till last.

 

[Vambo]

Must win game for Bath if they want to be considered serious contenders. They threw the first game away by trying to play too much rugby in the wrong area of the pitch when a size 10 through the ball would have put it row Z.

 

[danny]

Team news: Matt Stevens is out with an injured septum.

 

[An Tarbh]

given that Toulouse airport is closed and the players are still in France this game has got to be a serious doubt.

 

[Mr.cyclopede]

TLS is waiting for the wind to calm (Tempest in the wide South West of France), all airports beeing closed in the area. They should leave in the late afternoon or tomorrow morning

 

[Vambo]

Have Toulouse made it across or is this game off?

 

[An Tarbh]

yeah the match goes ahead, got this off the Bath website.

Originally posted by Bath Rugby
We can confirm that our match today v Toulouse is on.
The Toulouse team were delayed leaving yesterday due to the storm over South West France - however they got away later in the afternoon and arrived safely in Bath last night.

We can also confirm that the pitch although wet has no standing water. So as things stand the game is on.

KO is 3pm - and the game is sold out.

Bath Rugby

 

[Vambo]

Cheers mate

 

[Nidhogg]

This game has classic written all over it. Let's hope both teams live up to the expectations.

 

[An Tarbh]

so both sides are now through following the result from Castres so a home quarter final is the carrot for the winner. Can't wait now.

 

[Vambo]

Awful weather!

 

[Nidhogg]

Wasps losing is the worst that could have happened, both teams are already qualified, it's only to determine who gets the home quarter final. The weather doesn't look that benevolent to gallery play either.

 

[An Tarbh]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nidhogg @ Jan 25 2009, 02:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Wasps losing is the worst that could have happened, both teams are already qualified, it's only to determine who gets the home quarter final. The weather doesn't look that benevolent to gallery play either.[/b]

well given that the loser could be faced with the possibility of going to Thomond Park there's plenty of incentive for the winner

 

[Nidhogg]

Elissalde playing at Fly-Half, interesting to see so close to the 6 nations whether he can stand-up to Bath there, considering the lack of specialist FH's in the France squad.

 

[Nidhogg]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (An Tarbh @ Jan 25 2009, 03:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nidhogg @ Jan 25 2009, 02:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Wasps losing is the worst that could have happened, both teams are already qualified, it's only to determine who gets the home quarter final. The weather doesn't look that benevolent to gallery play either.[/b]

well given that the loser could be faced with the possibility of going to Thomond Park there's plenty of incentive for the winner[/b][/quote]

Yes, but a loss now is a bit less drastic than if Wasps would have a 7th/8th seed.

 

[Nidhogg]

A small lake has formed on Toulouse's half. Abendanon breaks the line well, and Bath win the penalty just to the left of the posts.

 

[Nidhogg]

James gets three points as the rain pours down. 3-0

 

[An Tarbh]

well either way there's not much bigger incentive than a home quarter final especially given the infrequency of away wins at that stage, especially if you take Munster out of that equation.

 

[An Tarbh]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nidhogg @ Jan 25 2009, 03:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

James gets three points as the rain pours down. 3-0[/b]

judging by those conditions they'll be doing well to get to 60 minutes

 

[Nidhogg]

Heymans with the first fumble of the day as Toulouse mess up the restart, and.