The final piece of the jigsaw

It's nearly here!! Pre-season friendlies eeking ever closer ready to wet our appetites for the Avia Premiership and a new beginning for the Blue, Black and White.

London Welsh showing they're ready for the offing after demonstrating a powerful display in the JP Morgan 7's qualifying round. So the anticipation of their arrival as a fully fledged top flight team is now building. The game lined up for the 11th August the day after the release of the new strip so bring on the band of Blue, Black and white peacocks proudly displaying their new plumage.

New coaching regime- check, new kit- check, pre-season fixtures- check, pre-season training- check now just one more announcement remaining........ Who will be captain fantastic to lead the army marching to an impending glory?

There must of been an air of disappointment for last year's club captain Stuart Hooper who due to a list of injuries only managed 13 performances for Bath. A strong force on and off the field Hoops led by example by always putting his body on the line, sadly this led to the injuries and having to watch the majority of the season from the sidelines. A strong contender for a second and hopefully more successful term as captain. Could Hooper prove himself to Gary Gold and demonstrate he's a worthy candidate?

The strong favourite amongst the pundits and supporters is one of Bath's stand out players of last season Mr François Louw. Louw who acted as Hooper's stand in during his absentees displayed his true leadership quality. Since joining Bath Louw has worked his way into the hearts of the fans with his ability and passion he's projects on the field.

Another potential applicant for the captaincy is another of Hooper's stand ins, a firm favourite with the supporters- Lee Mears. Mearsy considered as a legend of the Rec potentially could be in the running. Now his international boots have been hung up aims to concentrate on aiding Bath in earning some silverware. No international call ups to contend with means 100% dedication to lead the squad and discover their potential. A downside for the appointment of Mearsy is with the newly signed Webber who has now taken up Mearsy's role in the EPS. With Webber's introduction to the squad would hamper Mears from a list of first team stars for the season.

But who else could be in the line up......Abendanon, Claasens, Banahan or even Barkley? I'm sure over the next week or so we will find out and with the announcement the final piece of the jigsaw will be pushed into place and realising the anticipation for the new campaign is nearly at a climax.

It's nearly game time!!

As it's edging ever closer to dusting of the hip flask, scarf, hat and mittens today we saw the release of the Aviva Premiership 2012/13 season.

A release of new fixtures always aides the pundits within us all and begin the speculations of how the campaign will pan out. Bath fans expectations are riding high as always, a crowd with an immense sense of belief. With the new coaching regime the support for the club is rife. Bath are stepping into unknown this season and the hope is to hit the ground running and build up morale so the momentum continues to flow.

Hard fought pre-season fixtures will ensure a good bond for the players and coaching staff. Hopefully developing a strong platform to lead them into a season that primarily could see a return to the dizzy heights of the upper quadrant of the table.

London Welsh now confirmed as a premiership side will try to demonstrate their right to be there. A good spring board for Bath Rugby to lead into the Welsh pairing of the Osprays and Cardiff Blues. Two strong welsh sides who would give any premiership side a hard fought battle. The pre-season fixtures are always important but seem so much more poignant this year, more the discovery of a team rather than an exhibition of rugby.

Bring forth August 31st and it's game time, the dawn of the new season and a trip up to Worcester for Bath. Last season's trip to Sixways was a performance the majority of fans wish to forget. Potentially one of Bath's worse displays for some time going down 16-7. The saving grace of the fixture was the TMO awarded try for Charlie Beech, allowing at least something on the board. Warriors finished up in 10th two places beneath Bath so potentially a good baptism fixture for Bath's campaign, as long as they don't repeat last season.

The first outing on the Rec for the Blue, Black and white is game two. Pitting their wits against the only just surviving London Wasps. Wasps managed by the skin of their teeth to salvage their top flight status by narrowly pipping Falcons to the penultimate side in the league, eventually seeing Falcons becoming a championship side. A few significant signings going Wasps way may see them have a stronger season and dig theirselves out of the bottom of the pile.

With two of what people may consider to be easier fixtures (but do not underestimate) out of the way then enter the arena.... Saints. Bath's last premiership encounter with Northampton at the Rec was not of the prettiest scoreline, Bath going down to the sound of a 6-26 defeat. Saints finished the quartet of sides in the playoffs although being eight points adrift or third place Sarries. If the two opening fixtures see Bath taking the the victories it could see them in good stead for the Saints bout.

What has become very apparent through all the fixture list for Bath is the end of the season will be no easy running. To face Quins away, Tigers at home then the finale against Sarries away is no mean feat to say the least. The last three premiership champions back-to-back will take a huge effort from any team, hopefully by then Bath should of done enough to ensure at least a top four Finnish.

The expectations are their for the new beginning let's hope the reality is aswell.

Thanks to the Heroes

In the 2011/12 season we regrettably bid adieu to some old friends through retirement.

Regrettably Lewis Moody was forced to retire due to a string of injuries and felt he could no longer punish his body anymore. The inclement injury downfall at bath began when a knee ligament injury was sustained during the Bath fixture against Aironi, where Bath ran out victorious winning 56-16. Moody was ever hopeful he would be fit to run out for England in the 2011 six nations unfortunately this was not to be and missed the entire tournament.
While gaining fitness Martin Johnson stated if fit he would still represent England as captain at the world cup. Selected Moody travelled with the band of Roses down to New Zealand, much to the surprise of many. Following the world cup he announced his retirements from international rugby.
An injury peppered season for Bath followed and on march 6th 2012 he signed off from all rugby with immediate effect. Sadly leaving only small memories of genius in only his 15 appearances for Bath and the realisation that we never saw the true class of Moody grace the turf at the Rec.
A true legend with a glittering career including 223 caps for Tigers scoring 165pts, 15 caps for Bath and 5pts, 110 caps for England with 45pts also 5 lions capsgetting 5pts. Not to mention captaining his country and gaining a world cup winners and runners up medal. Not a bad little career.

Andy Beattie or Beastie as he's fondly know as also had to call it a day on his rugbying days after he failed to recover from an ankle injury. Unfortunately Beastie received a nasty knock while playing against Glasgow during a Heineken cup match in January.
13 days after Moody hung up his boots Beastie followed suit and announced his retirement from the game.
Beastie joined Bath in 2001 after four years at Exeter during his uni years. Since joining the Blue, Black and White he managed to become a double centurion turning out over 200 performances for Bath notching up 85 points to his credit.
Misfortune hit Beastie's career with injuries. In 2005 while playing for England A against France A down at the Rec Beattie suffered a broken leg and missed half of the remaining season returning to take his place in the 2005/06 campaign. A true servant of the club and a huge fan favourite a big loss to the game.

Possibly the 'biggest' of the fans favourite who comes in the shape of Duncan 'Belly' Bell was the third of the retirees to announce the end was nigh! Unlike the other retiring clan Belly made the decision that this was to be his last season and was to bow out but not due to injury. After his announcement to quit at the end of the season Belly unleashed a candid revelation that for the past decade he'd been suffering from heavy depression. It was a very open and frank admission and earned the 19 stone prop more respect amongst the rigging world.
On April 12th Belly got the chance to have his last run out at the Rec in front of his adoring fans soaking up the adoration and calling an end to a nine year run for Bath. Started as a Bath mini had moved about a little before making the return to the Rec. His Pro career began Ebbw Vale for a season before a good four year spell at sale running out 78 times, also racking up 68 caps to Pontypridd.
Belly was turned down by the IRB for eligibility to play for Wales and subsequently in 2005 received the call up for England in the six nations taking his first cap against Italy, following it up with cap two opposing Scotland, all in all Belly scooped five caps for England.
Let's hope we still get to see him down the Rec supporting the team who's fans cherished him as a player.

After the season was done and the new coaching regime in place we had the news that a young sprightly David Flatman was also having to say farewell to the game, also as Moody and Beastie did due to injury. Just as Bath's pre-season training was about to begin Flats revealed it was he time to finish participating in the sport, unusually for a prop having to retire from a hand injury as opposed to a neck or shoulder injury.
A promising young prop representing England schools and moving on to the colts started his professional era with a five year stint at Sarries before the move to Bath. Flats picked 8 picked up eight caps for England and hadn't it been for injuries would of easily picked up more. In the nine years he graced the turf at the rec from 2003-12 he mustered up over 160 caps for Bath. What was to be Flats last season he managed to execute a sublime pirouette landing gracefully over the line for his first try for Bath, much to the jubilation of the crowd.
With Flats remaining as a backroom participant of the Bath team I'm sure we'll still be graced with plenty of his journalistic skills and banterous tweets. Another legend of the Rec lost but nit forgotten.

As a few of the old guard are departing the field of play there's only but a handful left teaching the young guns how to play the game.
One of these such players is Bath, England and Lions hooker Lee Mears. Since joining Bath's academy back in 1997 he's pledged is allegiance to adorning the Blue, Black and White colours of Bath. Waiting until 2004-05 season to really stamp down his first team place and becoming the reliable hooker that saw him to an England call up. His call up led to 45 international caps and his one lions cap, even getting a try for the Roses. The dawn of a new era starting next season will see Mearsy still in place nestled in the middle of the front row for Bath. The following season will also see Mearsy become a double centurion as his tally is now sat on 197 caps.
With his announcement this week he is to hang up his international boots and concentrate on club rugby it's a stark reminder we may not be graced with mearsy's passion and spirit in the field of play. The past few seasons has seen him fighting off a recurring bicep injury but we can hope to see him tread the pitch for a few more years to come.

The sign that these guys are retiring in there early to mid 30's just indicates the strain the pile upon their bodies for the love of the game. For this reason alone we must admire, salute and thank for the pleasure their pain has delivered!

Can this Tiger bite back?

The news that Agulla has signed from Leicester Tigers brings the question -can this Tiger live up to the hope and expectations rather than the disappointment of the other ex-Tigers?

It is safe to say that the trio of Tigers players who were drafted in over the last couple of years failed to live up to the hype and expectations and led to a sense of disappointment. The signing of Moody, Vesty and Hipkiss came with so much hope that they could help strengthen the squad returning Bath back to the dominant force then once were, unfortunately as we are all too aware this failed to live up to its billing I do not doubt the calibre of the trio of Tigers ex-pats, they do not get the accolades and respect for nothing. The feeling amongst The Bath Rugby Fans was that they were no longer required by Tigers as opposed to 'looking for a new Challenge'.

For Bath to snare the captain of England and to see him pull on the Blue, Black and White jersey was for some a monumental signing. Lewis Moody a huge stalwart in The England team, a World cup winner and now captaining his country, is a man who is passionate about the game and shows it with the way he throws his self into the game playing with 100% commitment. Sadly it seemed Tigers were being quite savvy by cutting Moody loose, due to his passion and commitment he’d become prone to injury as Bath soon discovered. In the little under two years he spent in the Bath colours he only managed to muster up 15 appearances and managed to score a try in one of those fixtures. By the time he arrived at the Rec his body had taken so much punishment that it was only a matter of time before it could do no more. He will always be a true hero and inspiration on and off the field to so many, old or young. A sad occasion when he had to hang up his boots and a travesty we never saw the 'true' Lewis Moody perform at the Rec!

Following Moody down from Welford road was Sam Vesty, both starting at the beginning of the 2010/11 season. There was much surprise and trepidation to Vesty's move as he has what you consider to have Tiger blood running through his veins. A fourth generation Tiger following his father's, grandfather's and great grandfather's footsteps, working his way up through the ranks from academy to the first 15. Vesty also holds a handful of English caps to his name, but with the introduction of Toby Flood he soon began to slip down the pecking order. So for first team rugby becoming harder to obtain an option to join Moody in the move seemed a wise choice. While at the Rec so far it’s fair to say he has had quite an indifferent time. Saving Bath's blushes on several occasions with boot and tries, but has not had a regular run and struggled with form. Fighting for a place and kicking duties with the likes of of Barkley, Heathcote and Donald (when fit) at times he's failed to make his mark.

The next Tiger player to hit the hallowed turf of Bath was Dan Hipkiss following his fellow band member Sam Vesty. Hipkiss was a true stalwart at Leicester being the player who had scored the winning try for Tigers against Sarries in the 2010 Aviva premiership final Potentially a strong signing with 150 points in 130 appearances for Tigers, representing England at all levels from U18 to gaining 15 first team caps. So could Bath be getting a dynamic and slick centre? Answer-sadly not fulfilled that calling. With his first season completed but only 13 showings for Bath and just the one try, the potential class signing has fallen short and delivered very little. With new players entering the frame and him not shining the way we know he can will he get much of a shout next season?

Now enter Horacio Agulla! The 27 year old Argentine has spent the last two season impressing with his pace, skill and strength, using it to administer some bullocking runs resulting on him gaining the 'fans player of the season'. He's represented Argentina in the past two world cups, gaining two third place medals. Leicester has decided due to work permit and him not being available until October to release Agulla to Bath. Leicester opted due to his commitments to Argentina for the four nations and missing pre-season it would be a big undertaking to keep him at Welford road. Gary Gold feels confident that playing the likes of New Zealand, Australia and South Africa will make him stronger and more prepared to enter Bath's season campaign. With 34 caps and 20 points for the Puma's and competing against the world’s best in the four nations we can only hope he can come to Bath and demonstrate his skills and convert it into points as he did at Tigers.

So have Bath finally made a top signing from Leicester ? Let's certainly hope so!

A new Dawn is rising

The excitement is building as the Aviva premiership 2012/13 season is creeping ever closer.

For the Blue, Black and White Faithful this brings a new sense of hope. After a particularly shakey campaign last season the hopes and aspirations of Bath rugby fans brings a new belief to their hearts.

With the pre-season training getting into swing the knowledge that very soon we get to see the 'New Beginning' for Bath. Will the change be so different for the better or will the players not conform? So many questions to the fresh start, but for all the queries it's still enough to get the taste buds pumping.

The McGeechan regime slowly faltered and reduced Bath from potential league toppers to a mediocre mid table team. So enter the new band of coaching squad, almost an ultra band of coaching staff. Bruce Craig and Nick Blofeld have crafted what they believe to be a top coaching department to bring Bath back from obscurity and into the pinnacle. Gary Gold, Toby Booth, Mike Ford and Neal Hatley, are joined by last year’s first-team coach Brad Davis who will now take the helm, and now the pre-season training has started will try to implement a new standard to be displayed on the Rec. With a handful of players on international duties we wait to find out how the squad evolves, but I for one cannot wait.

In just a little under two months until the 'New look' Bath is unleashed for our viewing pleasure for the pre-season warm up matches. A particularly welsh feeling about the fixtures they should be a good and varied levels and standards to challenge the team.
The first challenge to take on the championship winners London Welsh will be no mean feat. Welsh who rightly won the playoffs and entitlement to premiership rugby are being denied their place in the top flight will want to prove a point and show the RFU they are able to mix it with the big guns.
The other two fixtures will come in the form of Osprays and Cardiff Blues. Two teams who form a strong stance in Welsh rugby. Any Anglo/Welsh fixture will always be a hard fought bout, as both nations always wish to show they're the dominant force.
Three big challenges to brace Bath Rugby for the impending Season and hopefully allow them to hit the campaign running.

So as the sun sets on Geech's day are we set for a Gold-en dawn of a new era?

Overlooked or over hyped?

With the news of Nick Abendanon getting a call up for England, well deserved I think as a Bath fan, but are there other players who deserve a shout at international level.

Do fans believe in players for their ability or because of the club they support?

Ultimately I'm a rugby fan as well as being a Bath Rugby fan, I believe if a player is talented and of a high enough calibre then they deserve an international call up. I personally want to see my nation do the best they possibly can and know potentially can do. Regardless of which club they play for, sadly at times this is not the case for all supporters who wish to see the inclusion of only their own team players. At times followers of club teams struggle to look past their own club for top players. An example of this comes in the form of a handful of Tiger's fans that through the entirety of the England v South Africa first test continually had jibes at Owen Farrell, picking up on any error he made and calling for him to be replaced by Flood. Toby Flood who has not played for 6-8weeks, in fairness he is a quality player but not totally match fit I'd prefer to see Farrell on the pitch to start than Flood for the better of England. The one thing a supporter of any sport should do, is support their nation and wish for nothing but the best from the players as part a team, or is that an over ambitious thought?

All fans believe their club has an abundance of top class players and we Bath fans are no different. Is this true or are we looking through Blue, Black and White tinted glasses?Are Bath rugby players being overlooked because of last season's club performance or in honesty are they just not as good as we believe?

Abendanon has been called up due to Brown's unfortunate injury and I'm really happy to see him there joining the rest of the England squad. Other players I believe deserve inclusion in national rugby are Banahan, Biggs and Caldwell.

Matt Banahan we all know is a big powerful and fast player but in all of his England performances he has only been used in that dimension. There are a lot more strings to his bow but he hasn't been allowed to show this on an international level. Banahan has an ability to run good angles and release some good offloads, not to mention his support running which has improved hugely from his England inclusion.

Tom Biggs has had a superb season and demonstrated his many varying skills as a winger. Potentially one of the best finishers with lightning pace. However due to his size the doubters feel he is too small but how many times have we seen him track back and put in some monumental tackles?A player who so rarely suffers injuries, even when Delon Armitage attempted to decapitate him. Biggs has shown on so many occasions this season how his support play has led to him running in tries or helping with a well timed offload to release another player. The biggest confusion to his omission to the English squad is that Stuart Lancaster was the man who brought him to the forefront and saw the talent he displayed, so Lancaster is very aware of Biggs yet still no call up.

Possibly one of Bath's best signings this season surely goes to Ryan Caldwell. Caldwell has displayed power and passion in the Bath shirt since his arrival. Game after game Caldwell has shown why he is potentially one of the best second row players in the Premiership. The problem Caldwell is struggling with is (luckily for Bath) he plays abroad and not in his native Ireland. England are starting to build from scratch by including young players to help build for 2015 Rugby World Cup, and looking at the Irish squad perhaps it's time the followed suit and Caldwell would be a very good place to start.

Yes we all rate our players highly its part and parcel of supporting any team but in fairness these players deserve their chance to shine!!

Is it time the RFU took heed??

After the full length of the playoffs for the championship has now finished, whether you agree or disagree with the system, London welsh have been crowned the league winners.

The large downfall with being the league winners is their ground does not make the grade for premiership rugby. To combat this intelligibility for promotion they managed to strike a deal with Oxford utd for a ground share now qualifying them for the promotion they have earned, and for Falcons relegation.
In their wisdom only know to the RFU this application has also been refuted and again London welsh are destined for another season in the championship.

By many the whole playoff system is deemed as a joke and that the team who finish in first should earn the promotion, being Bristol who's ground is eligible for premiership rugby. But the playoff system is in place so the teams must accept the rules and try to succeed in that medium.
Over the last few years the RFU has been criticised for the manor in which it has been run. Before the Rugby World Cup the organisation itself was in disarray with members leaving and heading into the tournament with uncertainty in the hierarchy. They have also been accused of running it as a business concern as opposed to a national sporting concern, shortly after q disastrous world cup announcing record profits for the year. England are considered as one of the top rugbying nations but at the moment their systems and management skills are beginning to turn them into a mockery in the rugbying community.
Is it time as a governing body took stock of the way in which it is being ran and looked at all systems of the club rugby set up before they are the joke they are rapidly becoming.

I personally am opposed to the playoff system and feel it needs to change, but in this instance I am supporting London Welsh in their appeal against the RFU.

London Welsh statement on appeal

The London Welsh Rugby Football Club Board met this morning, May 31st and it was confirmed that the club will be appealing against the RFU ruling that London Welsh have failed the Minimum Standards Criteria and therefore cannot be promoted to the Premiership.

"We shall be lodging an appeal in the very near future and in parallel we are pursuing all other available opportunities to make sure we can take our rightful and deserved place in the Aviva Premiership".said Bleddyn Phillips, the club chairman.

The one small worry I have is the day before the announcement of London welsh's promotion being declined Newcastle Falcons were making signings for next season. A club on the cusp of relegation making signings such as Rory Lawson, ex-Bath pairing Higgins and Crockett to name three of the eight, theese are players I could not see being enticed to a championship team. So is it possible that Falcons were already aware of London Welsh's fate?
The announcement on the day of the first leg of the final was also very poor timing and quite detrimental to the players who believed they could be competing for a chance of premiership rugby. Luckily it was not to dampen their spirit and two fantastic legs of rugby was displayed, giving a good advertisement for championship rugby.

Good luck to London Welsh in your uphill battle and RFU swallow your pride and listen to the fans who support you!!