He’s not and neither is Will StuartASMO wrote: Sat Nov 11, 2023 7:26 am How is Will Stewart an international standard prop, can anyone explain?

Thought Bath were well worth their win with that second half performance, blew Glaws away!!
He’s not and neither is Will StuartASMO wrote: Sat Nov 11, 2023 7:26 am How is Will Stewart an international standard prop, can anyone explain?
Yep. Finding a front row is becoming urgent for England, any roided up Grey College old boys with anglo names going?ASMO wrote: Sat Nov 11, 2023 7:26 am How is Will Stewart an international standard prop, can anyone explain?
Funny you should mention that. Leicester signed this lad who's been parachuted straight into the England u20 eps for this season.Paddington Bear wrote: Sat Nov 11, 2023 8:27 amYep. Finding a front row is becoming urgent for England, any roided up Grey College old boys with anglo names going?ASMO wrote: Sat Nov 11, 2023 7:26 am How is Will Stewart an international standard prop, can anyone explain?
I'd suspect that might be a significant factor - I'm sure there will be a fair few who have taken a trip to France at expense of a few home games, and just anecdotally Bath's worst attended home game was Newcastle (under 10k) which was the day after the 1/4 final. Bath away at Glos last Friday was a sell-out.SaintK wrote: Sun Nov 12, 2023 12:04 pm The Rugby Paper are reporting that Premiership attendances are down 16% so far this year with only Sale showing a minor increase. Could be the World Cup effect but alarm bells should be ringing.
I think he's looked okay coming off the bench to do that last 20 minutes or so. Not wonderful, but mostly okay.SaintK wrote: Sat Nov 11, 2023 8:21 amHe’s not and neither is Will StuartASMO wrote: Sat Nov 11, 2023 7:26 am How is Will Stewart an international standard prop, can anyone explain?The difference when de Toit came on was astonishing
Thought Bath were well worth their win with that second half performance, blew Glaws away!!
Cough, I wonder if the 23% increase in season ticket price for 3 fewer games that some clubs have gone for is a factor.SaintK wrote: Sun Nov 12, 2023 12:04 pm The Rugby Paper are reporting that Premiership attendances are down 16% so far this year with only Sale showing a minor increase. Could be the World Cup effect but alarm bells should be ringing.
World Cup 100% a factor. Ticket prices are too high during a squeeze on living standards, £60+ is generally not reflective of the standard of rugby being played. Again to bang my ‘compare Prem rugby to t20 cricket and league one football’ drum, I went to a league one game for £22 yesterday, had a far better view of the pitch and cover over my head unlike at the Rec a few weeks ago, and for that money it’s hard to complain about the entertainment (was a good game anyway)SaintK wrote: Sun Nov 12, 2023 12:04 pm The Rugby Paper are reporting that Premiership attendances are down 16% so far this year with only Sale showing a minor increase. Could be the World Cup effect but alarm bells should be ringing.
Yeah, the other commentator is dead right, the angle of the leg isn't natural.ASMO wrote: Sun Nov 12, 2023 4:36 pm Hogg showing his commentator bias there, red card all day...he has been an Exeter cheerleader all game...not a good signing for TNT.
Well I suppose it adds a new team to the list of those who've got embarassingly partisan cheerleaders in the comms teams.ASMO wrote: Sun Nov 12, 2023 4:36 pm Hogg showing his commentator bias there, red card all day...he has been an Exeter cheerleader all game...not a good signing for TNT.
I know I’m being parochial, but I do get frustrated when we give a gig to blokes who are more than happy to give an audience a good tale of how much they hate English rugby, particularly if they have very little to add that’s interesting. TMS employing Glen McGrath this summer was similarly vexingASMO wrote: Sun Nov 12, 2023 4:36 pm Hogg showing his commentator bias there, red card all day...he has been an Exeter cheerleader all game...not a good signing for TNT.
I rather like McGrath and it seems a horrible misread he hates the English. Met him quite a few times at Worcester and he seems just a straight up nice bloke, almost oddly so for someone so driven and with such attention to detailPaddington Bear wrote: Sun Nov 12, 2023 9:15 pmI know I’m being parochial, but I do get frustrated when we give a gig to blokes who are more than happy to give an audience a good tale of how much they hate English rugby, particularly if they have very little to add that’s interesting. TMS employing Glen McGrath this summer was similarly vexingASMO wrote: Sun Nov 12, 2023 4:36 pm Hogg showing his commentator bias there, red card all day...he has been an Exeter cheerleader all game...not a good signing for TNT.
Is that really how much it is for a Prem game?Paddington Bear wrote: Sun Nov 12, 2023 1:46 pmWorld Cup 100% a factor. Ticket prices are too high during a squeeze on living standards, £60+ is generally not reflective of the standard of rugby being played. Again to bang my ‘compare Prem rugby to t20 cricket and league one football’ drum, I went to a league one game for £22 yesterday, had a far better view of the pitch and cover over my head unlike at the Rec a few weeks ago, and for that money it’s hard to complain about the entertainment (was a good game anyway)SaintK wrote: Sun Nov 12, 2023 12:04 pm The Rugby Paper are reporting that Premiership attendances are down 16% so far this year with only Sale showing a minor increase. Could be the World Cup effect but alarm bells should be ringing.
On the losing team as well!ASMO wrote: Mon Nov 13, 2023 10:07 am In other news, Arundell scores a hatrick on his first game for Racing, give him the ball, this is what he does, but Borthwick i am sure will ignore that.
£66 in the temporary stand at Bath a couple of weekends ago. A standing ticket at Sarries was £35 I think last year, any seat will set you back £50+. Quins much the same. The further north the cheaper it getsSlick wrote: Mon Nov 13, 2023 10:59 amIs that really how much it is for a Prem game?Paddington Bear wrote: Sun Nov 12, 2023 1:46 pmWorld Cup 100% a factor. Ticket prices are too high during a squeeze on living standards, £60+ is generally not reflective of the standard of rugby being played. Again to bang my ‘compare Prem rugby to t20 cricket and league one football’ drum, I went to a league one game for £22 yesterday, had a far better view of the pitch and cover over my head unlike at the Rec a few weeks ago, and for that money it’s hard to complain about the entertainment (was a good game anyway)SaintK wrote: Sun Nov 12, 2023 12:04 pm The Rugby Paper are reporting that Premiership attendances are down 16% so far this year with only Sale showing a minor increase. Could be the World Cup effect but alarm bells should be ringing.
My seasion ticket is £800 For 9 home games plus cup games and some randoms.Slick wrote: Mon Nov 13, 2023 10:59 amIs that really how much it is for a Prem game?Paddington Bear wrote: Sun Nov 12, 2023 1:46 pmWorld Cup 100% a factor. Ticket prices are too high during a squeeze on living standards, £60+ is generally not reflective of the standard of rugby being played. Again to bang my ‘compare Prem rugby to t20 cricket and league one football’ drum, I went to a league one game for £22 yesterday, had a far better view of the pitch and cover over my head unlike at the Rec a few weeks ago, and for that money it’s hard to complain about the entertainment (was a good game anyway)SaintK wrote: Sun Nov 12, 2023 12:04 pm The Rugby Paper are reporting that Premiership attendances are down 16% so far this year with only Sale showing a minor increase. Could be the World Cup effect but alarm bells should be ringing.
I had to go and check - standing in the terraces at the rec is now 59 quid a pop for the Gloucester match in early Jan.Paddington Bear wrote: Mon Nov 13, 2023 11:12 am£66 in the temporary stand at Bath a couple of weekends ago. A standing ticket at Sarries was £35 I think last year, any seat will set you back £50+. Quins much the same. The further north the cheaper it getsSlick wrote: Mon Nov 13, 2023 10:59 amIs that really how much it is for a Prem game?Paddington Bear wrote: Sun Nov 12, 2023 1:46 pm
World Cup 100% a factor. Ticket prices are too high during a squeeze on living standards, £60+ is generally not reflective of the standard of rugby being played. Again to bang my ‘compare Prem rugby to t20 cricket and league one football’ drum, I went to a league one game for £22 yesterday, had a far better view of the pitch and cover over my head unlike at the Rec a few weeks ago, and for that money it’s hard to complain about the entertainment (was a good game anyway)
Yeah we ended up going on the spur of the moment (very long story), and worked out the terrace just wasn’t worth it for less than a tenner’s difference. Ended up having to change clothes in the pub toilet afterwards, it was that wetinactionman wrote: Mon Nov 13, 2023 12:06 pmI had to go and check - standing in the terraces at the rec is now 59 quid a pop for the Gloucester match in early Jan.Paddington Bear wrote: Mon Nov 13, 2023 11:12 am£66 in the temporary stand at Bath a couple of weekends ago. A standing ticket at Sarries was £35 I think last year, any seat will set you back £50+. Quins much the same. The further north the cheaper it gets
I paid £304 in my last year in Bath (2016) which is about £27-28 for an assumed 11 game season (can't remember what was include din season ticket, if there were any cup games)
Assume a season ticket holder pays less than £59, but assuming it's of that order that is a massive hike.
Paddington Bear wrote: Mon Nov 13, 2023 12:08 pmYeah we ended up going on the spur of the moment (very long story), and worked out the terrace just wasn’t worth it for less than a tenner’s difference. Ended up having to change clothes in the pub toilet afterwards, it was that wetinactionman wrote: Mon Nov 13, 2023 12:06 pmI had to go and check - standing in the terraces at the rec is now 59 quid a pop for the Gloucester match in early Jan.Paddington Bear wrote: Mon Nov 13, 2023 11:12 am
£66 in the temporary stand at Bath a couple of weekends ago. A standing ticket at Sarries was £35 I think last year, any seat will set you back £50+. Quins much the same. The further north the cheaper it gets
I paid £304 in my last year in Bath (2016) which is about £27-28 for an assumed 11 game season (can't remember what was include din season ticket, if there were any cup games)
Assume a season ticket holder pays less than £59, but assuming it's of that order that is a massive hike.
We very much saw the funny side and it was a good game. £66 for that is not value for money though. Appreciate their options are limited until the new stadium is built.inactionman wrote: Mon Nov 13, 2023 12:14 pmPaddington Bear wrote: Mon Nov 13, 2023 12:08 pmYeah we ended up going on the spur of the moment (very long story), and worked out the terrace just wasn’t worth it for less than a tenner’s difference. Ended up having to change clothes in the pub toilet afterwards, it was that wetinactionman wrote: Mon Nov 13, 2023 12:06 pm
I had to go and check - standing in the terraces at the rec is now 59 quid a pop for the Gloucester match in early Jan.
I paid £304 in my last year in Bath (2016) which is about £27-28 for an assumed 11 game season (can't remember what was include din season ticket, if there were any cup games)
Assume a season ticket holder pays less than £59, but assuming it's of that order that is a massive hike.![]()
I've been there - in my big wooly overcoat that took 4 days to dry! Assume they've still got the pavilion/Swift Half up if it's really pelting, but not exactly much of a view of the match...
There's very little cover at the rec, and the prices for the covered seating in the riverside stand were exorbitant, even in 2016.
The other big problem with rainy days is the pitch really soaks up rain and it turns into a bog. Clay soil on a flood plain.
Oof. I've been out of the UK for a few years now but I just checked how much a ticket to see my Championship football team is these days and it's 30 quid max.Paddington Bear wrote: Mon Nov 13, 2023 11:12 am£66 in the temporary stand at Bath a couple of weekends ago. A standing ticket at Sarries was £35 I think last year, any seat will set you back £50+. Quins much the same. The further north the cheaper it getsSlick wrote: Mon Nov 13, 2023 10:59 amIs that really how much it is for a Prem game?Paddington Bear wrote: Sun Nov 12, 2023 1:46 pm
World Cup 100% a factor. Ticket prices are too high during a squeeze on living standards, £60+ is generally not reflective of the standard of rugby being played. Again to bang my ‘compare Prem rugby to t20 cricket and league one football’ drum, I went to a league one game for £22 yesterday, had a far better view of the pitch and cover over my head unlike at the Rec a few weeks ago, and for that money it’s hard to complain about the entertainment (was a good game anyway)
My old seat at tigers for the saints game is about £35 but Tigers have a bigger ground.robmatic wrote: Mon Nov 13, 2023 7:12 pmOof. I've been out of the UK for a few years now but I just checked how much a ticket to see my Championship football team is these days and it's 30 quid max.Paddington Bear wrote: Mon Nov 13, 2023 11:12 am£66 in the temporary stand at Bath a couple of weekends ago. A standing ticket at Sarries was £35 I think last year, any seat will set you back £50+. Quins much the same. The further north the cheaper it gets
That's a lot of cash for a game of rugby. I think I am probably well out of touch with how much most things cost to be honest, but I'd struggle to justify that. Just had a look and I think the top tickets for the Edinburgh v Bulls game coming up is £40Paddington Bear wrote: Mon Nov 13, 2023 11:12 am£66 in the temporary stand at Bath a couple of weekends ago. A standing ticket at Sarries was £35 I think last year, any seat will set you back £50+. Quins much the same. The further north the cheaper it getsSlick wrote: Mon Nov 13, 2023 10:59 amIs that really how much it is for a Prem game?Paddington Bear wrote: Sun Nov 12, 2023 1:46 pm
World Cup 100% a factor. Ticket prices are too high during a squeeze on living standards, £60+ is generally not reflective of the standard of rugby being played. Again to bang my ‘compare Prem rugby to t20 cricket and league one football’ drum, I went to a league one game for £22 yesterday, had a far better view of the pitch and cover over my head unlike at the Rec a few weeks ago, and for that money it’s hard to complain about the entertainment (was a good game anyway)
Saw the trys and none of them were gimme's really. He's quite a talent, never looks like he is running particularly fast but leaving folk for dead and busting tackles with ease.SaintK wrote: Mon Nov 13, 2023 10:59 amOn the losing team as well!ASMO wrote: Mon Nov 13, 2023 10:07 am In other news, Arundell scores a hatrick on his first game for Racing, give him the ball, this is what he does, but Borthwick i am sure will ignore that.
Evidently he received more passes in this match than he hasd done in his England career![]()
Yeah, his acceleration, balance and power is a real package with ball in hand.Slick wrote: Tue Nov 14, 2023 8:53 amSaw the trys and none of them were gimme's really. He's quite a talent, never looks like he is running particularly fast but leaving folk for dead and busting tackles with ease.SaintK wrote: Mon Nov 13, 2023 10:59 amOn the losing team as well!ASMO wrote: Mon Nov 13, 2023 10:07 am In other news, Arundell scores a hatrick on his first game for Racing, give him the ball, this is what he does, but Borthwick i am sure will ignore that.
Evidently he received more passes in this match than he hasd done in his England career![]()
The problem is apparently his defense.Margin__Walker wrote: Tue Nov 14, 2023 9:08 amYeah, his acceleration, balance and power is a real package with ball in hand.Slick wrote: Tue Nov 14, 2023 8:53 amSaw the trys and none of them were gimme's really. He's quite a talent, never looks like he is running particularly fast but leaving folk for dead and busting tackles with ease.SaintK wrote: Mon Nov 13, 2023 10:59 am
On the losing team as well!
Evidently he received more passes in this match than he hasd done in his England career![]()
He's probably got a decision to make when it comes to next season and beyond. It's likely he ends up back in Bath or another club here, but there must be at least a part of him that will be tempted to resign for Racing if he's enjoying it there.
He's young enough to come back in 3 or 4 years if he wants. He's just not the right wing for the game Borthwick is playing at the moment and I can't imagine the England experience was particularly enjoyable. At the moment, our wings are there to hold the width, chase kicks and rarely get their hands on the ball. Outside of the Chile game, no wing actually scored a try. There will be better wings in the prem than him, perhaps more defensively sound, for that gameplan.
We have, but the one where he seems to give up the chase is not something I'd expect to see from the likes of May etc.Rhubarb & Custard wrote: Tue Nov 14, 2023 9:21 am And yet we've seen howlers from Daly and May in defence, we've seen Steward defend like a statue. So issues in defence are only issues in defence if they're the right (or wrong) sort of issue, would seem the issue
We've seen Daly literally turn his back on an attack, just giving up entirely.Raggs wrote: Tue Nov 14, 2023 9:23 amWe have, but the one where he seems to give up the chase is not something I'd expect to see from the likes of May etc.Rhubarb & Custard wrote: Tue Nov 14, 2023 9:21 am And yet we've seen howlers from Daly and May in defence, we've seen Steward defend like a statue. So issues in defence are only issues in defence if they're the right (or wrong) sort of issue, would seem the issue
I do think he should have been used, but at least we can look at this and recognise he's not perfect, so it's not completely open and shut.
"He can't tackle" is the default criticism of all creative players by England fans who are determined that yeomanlike metronomy and a big boot are the apex characteristics of a world class ten. We're unlucky in that we have a head coach who believes the data shows that there is no room for flair in the international game (or at least not until 78 minutes into a semi final when you're desperately chasing the game), so it just compounds those excuses.Margin__Walker wrote: Tue Nov 14, 2023 11:16 am It's really odd.
May's very good defensively at least these days, albeit he's gone now. Defending the outside channels is hard though and Daly and Steward have frequently been turned inside out. Steward especially has looked incredibly frail defensively. His 6N performance against France comes to mind as something worse than I've ever seen from Arundell. Sure, there's improvement to be had, but It just seems like an easy way for people to dismiss Arundell and he does seem to be held to a higher standard than others.