Premiership Rugby 23/24 Semi finals

[TRF_Olyy]

scummy push from Russell

Been at it all game, think the flashy passes distract people from how dirty he is on the pitch - some of his ruck entries would make Cobus Wiese blush

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Quirke's kicking is not the greatest

 

[JG-21]

Sale don't look like they want to win this. Missing kicks, tackles and brain cells

 

[Reiser99]

Sale just giving easy possession and territory here.

 

[Booboobang]

Ted hill should be on the tour this summer, kid does everything

 

[TommiG88]

Bath v Saints is probably the fair final. Best 2 teams of the season.

Shame I'm on holiday so can't make the game

 

[Reiser99]

Well played Bath. Sale gave a good game, but lost their composure in the last 15.

 

[Jimbo]

looks like I called both these semis wrong, maybe underestimated home advantage just thought both away teams might have to much recent experience it big games. Should be a great final, probably the one the neutral wanted.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Quirke form since a couple seasons has really dropped

 

[JG-21]

Sale can only blame themselves there, really poor second half. Well done to Bath, the correct two teams in the final.

 

[Booboobang]

Quirke form since a couple seasons has really dropped

But the media is still scrambling to have him play for england, madness.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Fair result,

Too many silly penalties, and definitely missed one of Tuilagi/Bedlow in the midfield to fix defenders - said before the game I was happy with a semi final this season, and still feel that way now

Definitely going to be supporting Saints in the final, but I think everyone outside of Bath will be

 

[Jimbo]

Fair result,

Too many silly penalties, and definitely missed one of Tuilagi/Bedlow in the midfield to fix defenders - said before the game I was happy with a semi final this season, and still feel that way now

Tend to think the missed bonus points were costly as hell, they have been playing knockout rugby for a while, no opportunity to rest players, not to mention the home advantage they'd have enjoyed, still when you consider where they were not so long ago that's a mirricle in itself, certainly building big experiences.

 

[Which Tyler]

Definitely going to be supporting Saints in the final, but I think everyone outside of Bath will be

Pretty much.
Both play good rugby, both are "the good guys" this year. Saints the better team, rightly top of the league, without an annoying FH (both in himself, and the hype around him).
If I were neutral, I'd certainly support Saints.
But I'm not.

The other thing I'd add, is that I don't think Bath are "ready" for a final yet. Obviously, we'll take it, but we're still growing and putting the team together, whilst the likes of Sarries, and possibly Saints feel like they're at the end of a journey with big names retiring (Saints with more young guns coming through)

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Tend to think the missed bonus points were costly as hell, they have been playing knockout rugby for a while, no opportunity to rest players, not to mention the home advantage they'd have enjoyed, still when you consider where they were not so long ago that's a mirricle in itself, certainly building big experiences.

Yeah the last couple of games Cobus has basically had to be stretchered off the pitch, but we've no-one to rotate with

 

[TRF_Olyy]

both are "the good guys" this year

Bath?
In entertainment terms, sure, but other than that I'd say they're closer to pantomime villains, like Saracens around the salary cap times

 

[Which Tyler]

Other than BT's obsession with Finn - can't say I've noticed that since ditching Hooper.

 

[Jimbo]

Pretty much.
Both play good rugby, both are "the good guys" this year. Saints the better team, rightly top of the league, without an annoying FH (both in himself, and the hype around him).
If I were neutral, I'd certainly support Saints.
But I'm not.

The other thing I'd add, is that I don't think Bath are "ready" for a final yet. Obviously, we'll take it, but we're still growing and putting the team together, whilst the likes of Sarries, and possibly Saints feel like they're at the end of a journey with big names retiring (Saints with more young guns coming through)

Yeah think at the back of NH mind somewhere will be that they have a lot of the pack moving on in one way or another, even if filled with quality it will still take a while to gel, realistically you'd expect there to be an element of now or maybe not for a couple of seasons mentality, what's Baths transfer list like, many big changes for next season?

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

IDK, I feel Bath have benefited the most out of anyone with the prem clubs collapse.
For whatever reason leaves a bit of a taste in my mouth.

I just don't see them as good guys

 

[Which Tyler]

What's Baths transfer list like, many big changes for next season?

Closest player to a starter we're losing is Gallagher - who be most peoples' 2nd choice; a couple of other bench players (Schoeman, McNally, Cloete - latter 2 are only occassional benchers.)
Bringing some kids into the academy (from closing academies - so people who don't like seeing unemployed players given an opportunity won't be happy).
Of the incomers Molony and Du Plessis at lock might challenge for starts, Pepper at 7 is most likely to be challenging for the bench.