RugbyRebels

Which Tyler wrote: ↑Sat Jun 07, 2025 9:55 am I'm okay with the goal line drop out, and think it's preferable to the previous attacking 5m scrum - but I would agree that something somewhere inbetween would be better.
Personally, I'd probably go with defending 5m scrum - that way it's not a completely new thing for the one instance, but it still rewards the defence with a turn over, whilst the attack get to keep territory, and will usually end up with a lineout around the 20-30m out

I do like the defending scrum idea because that can be a really tough exit if the opposition apply the pressure.

FKAS wrote: ↑Sat Jun 07, 2025 11:38 am

Which Tyler wrote: ↑Sat Jun 07, 2025 9:55 am I'm okay with the goal line drop out, and think it's preferable to the previous attacking 5m scrum - but I would agree that something somewhere inbetween would be better.
Personally, I'd probably go with defending 5m scrum - that way it's not a completely new thing for the one instance, but it still rewards the defence with a turn over, whilst the attack get to keep territory, and will usually end up with a lineout around the 20-30m out

I do like the defending scrum idea because that can be a really tough exit if the opposition apply the pressure.

To me, it feels like saying "well done, you held him up, which counts as a turn-over - restart the normal way for unplayable ball"
You'd then expect a #8 pick up under heavy fire, maybe a phase or two to get to the 15m line, then box to touch. Alternatively, pass back to a deep FH to kick to touch at around the same place.

As to the match itself, now that I've calmed down a little.
Yesterday was a cracking good match, contributed to by all 3 teams involved. At the time, I was seeing a lot of Bristol offences being let go, whilst the Glos supporters around me saw the same for Bath. With both eyes open, and a resting heart rate - I think he was being generous to both teams, and pretty equal - and both teams were exploiting that generosity.

Bristol came out pumped up to high heaven - Genge especially (maybe a little too much so for the first few minutes); and played some brilliant rugby, especially in the first half - which got Bath rattled and making errors (like not taking the points with the first penalty close to Bristol's try line very early on). But we just about managed to contain that wave.
Really hope that Randall's injury isn't as serious as it looked in the pub - dislocation? So much better than Marmion.
Second half, we stuck to our script and imposed ourselves a bit more, and got on top, before taking our foot off the pedal a bit once the TBP was secured - which... yeah, that's another "not knock-out rugby" thing; and the 21 point lead never really felt secure until it was 14 points with 5 minutes to go. Any extra score to make it a 4-score (or 3-score with less time) would have felt a tonne more comfortable.
BJVR and Ravouvou really are special talents.

Another day, another ref, and Ravouvou sees 2 yellow cards = red.
Another day, another ref, and Marmion gets awarded the turn-over instead of seeing yellow.
I'm seeing comments about Genge being held up short of the line being a blatant wrong decision - it wasn't blatant enough to be spotted in the pub.
I'm also seeing comment that if Ravouvou saw yellow for preventing a quick tap, then Redpath should have seen yellow as well - which I think is sour grapes. Ravouvou's was done with 0 Bristol players onside; and somewhere around Bristol's 22. Redpath's was done with plenty of Bath players onside, and in the Bristol half.


This afternoon's match should be another cracking game, and both teams are capable of making it so - though I expect a lot more struture from both teams.
Selfishly, I want Leicester to win - but that's purely because Bath v Leicester in a final, at Twickenham just feels right.
Both are capable of beating us, but neither worry as much as Bristol - not because I think Bristol are better, but because Bristol's strengths match our weaknesses; which I don't see as being the case for either Sale or Leicester.

It was a terrific match.

Bath had a hot 3rd quarter which won them the game. Losing Randall really hurt Bristol. They simply arent the same side without him.