SF - Edinburgh v Bath 3 May 1500

[The Feral Goat]

Good that it is confirmed at the Hive fairly certain we will get a sellout. Bulls game was unfortunate to be short notice and middle of school hols, weather and much of the performance deserved a bigger crowd.

Bath look very good, but injuries and the league run in may be a factor for both teams. We seem to be hitting a bit of form late in the season but an 80 min performance will be a must. Don't think we should fear them and we could well be underestimated since we play in the lowly URC

[Frank]

Bath have been flakey away from home in all competitions. I didn't see their game against Exeter, but nil points in the 2nd half doesn't suggest a team that should be feared. If we are anything near full strength and a bouncing Hive, then we have a great chance to make the final. I'm working in Sweden that week so can't make the game, but should be a great afternoon/evening.

[liveinhope]

Bath were pretty poor yesterday.After getting a BP after 29 mins they didn't score another point losing Will Muir and Ojomoh to injuries and both Redpath and (possibly) Russell taking knocks.So threy might be struggling with injuries in their back divisision come a fortnight given Ollie Lawrence out for the season and Joe Coknosaki also injured at present.
So yes all to play for and certainly home advantage may well be crucial. Anyway big hurdle against Zen=bre on Saturday night.Given Glasgow's dis[play last night we can't afford to rotate too much with Bath in mind.Equally Everitt quoted as "a couple" will be rested. Rather guess Schoemann and Gilchrist but equally Bradbury and Muncaster took knocks on Friday night.We certainly won't have much chance without all four of those>Not a good time for the likes of Sykes and Crosbie to be out for several weeks.

[The Chiel]

Taking the Edinburgh hat off, Russell looks to me as though he badly needs a rest. Newcastle at home next week would be ideal for rotation, but with Bath home prices being stratospheric on the back of Finn, Van Graan will be under pressure to keep flogging him. With the Edinburgh hat back on ( not my Scotland hat ), potentially a good thing !

[dolf_lundgren]

Yes, he does look a little jaded. But home games they need to keep playing him.

Ideal thing woudl be to rest him for an away game in a diddy cup!

Will be interesting to see what Everitt does with selection, Watson was rested, but the back row played very well.

McCann looked like he will be out for a few weeks, but Darcy will be back. Any idea how serious the injury to Goose was? Id be happy with Paterson and Brown in to be honest, both need a chance again. Paterson was outstanding in the first half.

[sharcs]

They just released a squad update https://edinburghrugby.org/news-and-features/squad-update-zebre-parma-week-2/

Wes Goosen (back) – Awaiting results of a scan

[dolf_lundgren]

Hmm, that's a concern that its not straightforward.

Looks like Bennet available, and Scott, Sykes and Hodgson not far away as due back "by end of April". Not sure if that is back in training or available for selection.

Will be interesting to see how Bennet and Scott are used, or otherwise, if they are available.

Boffelli being "week to week" seems really odd. Do they just not know what it is?

[liveinhope]

Looks like Paterson,Graham and Jack Brown the back three for Saturday night by default! McKnight the back up though of course Currie can go to the wing.Be good to have Goosen back for Bath though.

[dolf_lundgren]

I hope that is what happens, but its highly likely that Currie will be on the wing, with Brown missing out again. I think he lacks the out and out pace for wing, but he is very good under the high ball and has a good boot.

[dolf_lundgren]

Team announcement today? Sounds like Goosen is back, obviously Schoeman and Ritchie to come in too, Ashman also off the injurd list, so a bit of a help.

[liveinhope]

No,surely its 1pm tomorrow ( not 12 noon as a Euro game)? Thursday announcemnts are for Friday night fixtures.

[dolf_lundgren]

Im just too excited clearly!

[dolf_lundgren]

Edinburgh Rugby team to face Bath Rugby at Hive Stadium in the EPCR Challenge Cup Semi-Final
Saturday 3 March, kick-off 3pm – live on Premier Sports

15. Wes Goosen (51)

14. Darcy Graham (79)
13. Matt Currie (60)
12. James Lang (72)
11. Harry Paterson (14)

10. Ross Thompson (22)
9. Ali Price (37)

1. Pierre Schoeman (130)
2. Ewan Ashman (34)
3. D’arcy Rae (23)
4. Sam Skinner (40)
5. Grant Gilchrist (219) CAPTAIN
6. Jamie Ritchie (128)
7. Hamish Watson (175)
8. Magnus Bradbury (130)

Replacements

16. Paddy Harrison (29)
17. Boan Venter (88)
18. Javan Sebastian (26)
19. Marshall Sykes (80)
20. Ben Muncaster (44)
21. Charlie Shiel (71)
22. Ben Healy (35)
23. Mosese Tuipulotu (19)

Unavailable: Emiliano Boffellli (hamstring), Connor Boyle (knee), Robert Carmichael (wrist), Dave Cherry (knee), Luke Crosbie (pec), Tom Dodd (shoulder), Jamie Hodgson (tricep), Paul Hill (back), Ross McCann (foot), Cammy Scott (groin), Matt Scott (back), Duhan van der Merwe (ankle), Ben Vellacott (foot), Lewis Wells (ankle).

Largely as expected, shame not to see Douglas get a run at them, but the rest of the back row have been playing very well. Typical for Cammy Scott to have an knock when he shoudl have been getting more minutes.

Nothing less than the Munster/Bulls levels of intensity and accuracy will do for this one, Bath look to be as strong as they can be. our injury list is still horrendous.

[Cammo Gunner]

Bath Rugby Starting XV:
1 Beno Obano,
2 Tom Dunn,
3 Thomas du Toit,
4 Quinn Roux,
5 Charlie Ewels,
6 Guy Pepper,
7 Sam Underhill,
8 Miles Reid,

9 Ben Spencer ©,
10 Finn Russell,

11 Will Muir,
12 Will Butt,
13 Cameron Redpath,
14 Joe Cokanasiga,
15 Tom de Glanville

Replacements: 16 Niall Annett, 17 Francois van Wyk, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Ross Molony, 20 Ted Hill, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Ciaran Donoghue, 23 Alfie Barbeary


In the words of the prophet:

Looks weak!!!

[liveinhope]

Good to see Sebastien and Sykes back to bolster the bench.We have a pretty useful bench front row now to bring on which is vital given Bath's forward strength.No need too "hide" anyone and only bring on after 75 minutes or so this time.