Champions Cup 24/25 - Round 1

[Which Tyler]

7 for Bath likes a shithouse. Needless there though, get out of jail free card.

Is there a flanker who doesn't?

There's been a few flare ups of tempers, wonder if it was personal retribution, or just generalised shithousery.

ETA, Annett's only just on, no such excuse. Plain brain dead, both of them

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

Finn Russell and bath's racing kit has made my mind so confused about who is playing.

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

Jack Nowell getting a ridiculous amount of coverage on TNT for someone who's touched the ball maybe twice

everyone knows he wouldn't be able to jump for that high ball

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

I hate when the team going forward just stands up to win a scrum

 

[Groundhog]

Stinker of a game through no fault of anyone.

LAR kept the heads slightly better and Kerr Barlow and Dulin in particular managed it well.

 

[Rinkadink]

Ball was available anyway, I think even 9 had hands on. Should have been play on?

Not a bad game for the conditions.

 

[Which Tyler]

Missed Spencer, and missed the top 2 inches too many times.
Nevermind

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

**** Baf

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Laughed every time I've watched it, also; accurate!

I have honestly not felt this intimidated by an opposition team announcement in quite some time. Not saying it's a write off but that is an utterly ridiculous Leinster 23. Am I right in thinking 13 Ireland internationals in the starting XV and 1 French? Bench is insane and speaks similarly for itself.

Here's our lads;

Bristol Bears team face Leinster at Ashton Gate in the Investec Champions Cup on Sunday (5.30pm KO, live on Premier Sport):

15. Rich Lane (43 apps),
14. Jack Bates (43 apps),
13. Kalaveti Ravouvou (13 apps),
12. Benhard Janse van Rensburg (32 apps),
11. Gabriel Ibitoye (49 apps),
10. AJ MacGinty (44 apps),
9. Harry Randall (131 apps);
1. Ellis Genge (49 apps),
2. Harry Thacker (120 apps),
3. Max Lahiff (95 apps),
4. James Dun (41 apps),
5. Joe Owen (20 apps),
6. Santiago Grondona (4 apps),
7. Fitz Harding (c) (80 apps),
8. Viliame Mata (1 app).

System players: 16. Gabriel Oghre (25 apps), Jake Woolmore (158 apps), 18. Lovejoy Chawatama (4 apps), 19. Steven Luatua (136 apps), 20. Benjamin Grondona (11 apps), 21. Kieran Marmion (33 apps), 22. Joe Jenkins (19 apps), 23. Benjamin Elizalde (6 apps).

Unavailable: Sam Grahamslaw, Tom Doughty, George Kloska, Joe Batley, Josh Caulfield, Steele Barker, George Taylor, Kofi Cripps, Sam Wolstenholme, James Williams, Noah Heward, Deago Bailey, Max Malins.

About the best we can put out given the availability. It is winnable but Bristol cannot afford to make some of the errors that have crept in lately, I can only think they will be punished more by a Leinster side full of talent. With that said Bristol attack is quite unique and could be challenging. No idea how it will be officiated or how Sunday's weather will turn out so that may play a factor also.

Speaking of, I need to secure some things outside given the red alert warning I had before the first game starts.

Yeah, 22/23 internationals. We just haven't produced props since Tadhg Furlong was a boy, otherwise it'd likely be 23.

To be honest, I expect us to walk our way to Toulouse and that should be the final in May. They're the only team that can beat us man for man. We've been a world class team with a banger of a 10 since Sexton went off in the 22 final really. Now we have a young lad with loads to prove, haven't had that since 2009... Add a rough as **** second row to the mix too.

We're due an actual shock loss (as in not a final where we're favourites), Saints nearly gave it to us last year but I'll react to it when it comes.

This year I like a lot. The 4 years we've won this comp we've had dog raw routes to the final and this year is similar, we need to earn it.

As a fan I'm looking at May, the players won't be but another year without the trophy will hurt as much as the last 3 years.

 

[Stade Rochelais]

Congratulation for Stade Rochelais.

 

[Stade Rochelais]

I really hope La Rochelle lose, not because I'm a Bath fan but because I've found every aspect of that club thoroughly dislikeable recently.

What do you think about it now?
You will eventually digest the defeat, it will take time.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

What do you think about it now?

Still a vile club

 

[ShropshireAllBlack]

Have there been any reports of games being postponed for the weather?

 

[ShropshireAllBlack]

I know that they're at home, but the Sharks are as dangerous as I had feared.

 

[Rinkadink]

Still a vile club

I haven't been for some years but was around the turn of the millennium when I visited La Rochelle with Bristol... hands down the best welcome and hosts I've ever experienced touring/away. I won't bore with the details in this cup thread but it will never be forgotten by a number of Bristolians so La Rochelle is always regarded fondly and favourably in these parts. Lovely town and people. Really gutted I can't go this year due to personal circumstances but will do my best to enjoy next weekend as if I was there, though I might need to turn the heating up if weather continues in this manner.

Getting one over on that team down the road last was just a side bonus.

 

[Rinkadink]

I know that they're at home, but the Sharks are as dangerous as I had feared.

Unfortunately sat watching James bond in a waiting room, got a brief summary?

 

[ShropshireAllBlack]

Unfortunately sat watching James bond in a waiting room, got a brief summary?

39-21 at the moment. Etzebeth and 1 more in the bin, giving Chiefs a veneer of respectability.

 

[Gavin]

Sharks down to 12. Mental

 

[ShropshireAllBlack]

3rd shark gone to the bin.

 

[ShropshireAllBlack]

Chiefs can't score against 12.