The blazing van behind a stand at the Rec was not the only thing going up in smoke. Shortly before half-time on Saturday, there were emergencies on and off the field.
A derby against Gloucester, at home, is not an occasion for meek surrender. Trailing 21-0 to their rivals — after defeat at Bristol eight days earlier — Bath’s campaign was being reduced to ashes, or so it seemed. The subsequent fightback for a draw merely added to the confusion surrounding the club.
Off the pitch, firefighters doused the flames and restored order. Close by, the home team managed to do the same.
Bath winger Joe Cokanasiga spills the ball near the try line during Saturday's draw
But for how long? Despite a long casualty list, Todd Blackadder has a powerful squad at his disposal, but no-one is sure what to expect from Bath at present.
Is a draw against Gloucester a decent result? What is the realistic ambition? Is there enough hunger to regain the lost status of title contenders? Answers on a postcard, please…
Bath train in the grounds of a majestic stately home, but the setting is not matched by success. For some time, there have been rumours of unrest behind the scenes. Leading players are understood to be unsettled and seeking opportunities elsewhere.
Bath owner Bruce Craig has been at the centre of proposals to revolutionise rugby
Many have been allowed to move on in recent years; from wing stalwart and fans' favourite, Matt Banahan, to George Ford and Kyle Eastmond, Carl Fearns and Ollie Devoto. On Saturday, there were just two starting survivors from the Bath side which lined up for the Premiership Final in May, 2015. One of them, Dave Attwood, was allowed to join Toulon on loan last season.
His clout was missed - and it has been prominent in the first two rounds of the new season. The lock is one of those who can help Bath re-establish themselves in the upper reaches of the table. He was very good on Saturday, as was hooker Tom Dunn. Sam Underhill was outstanding at openside. There are other reasons for optimism; rookies such as Zach Mercer, Charlie Ewels, Joe Cokanasiga and Beno Obano, plus the consistent pedigree of Wales No 8 Taulupe Faletau - a fine recruit.
But Bath's owner, Bruce Craig, should put on hold his attempts to revolutionise the sport and focus all attentions on putting his club's affairs in order.
Redevelopment of the ground must be pushed through, to make it fit for modern purpose. Alongside that must be redevelopment of the team.
From the outside, there appears to be a lack of identity and culture, which is why Blackadder could be vulnerable. There has already been regime change at one big club this season. That hiring-and-firing blaze was lit in the East Midlands, but it could spread to the West Country soon enough.
Welcome return of the wrecking ball
It was like being transported back to 2012. In the 23rd minute of Leicester's win over Newcastle, Welford Road savoured the sight of vintage Manu Tuilagi.
From a clever, late pass by Kyle Eastmond, the wrecking ball swung into action. It all looked distantly familiar; the initial blast through flailing arms, past beaten defenders, a swerve into space, acceleration and a manic smile as the resistance faded and a try duly followed.
Manu Tuilagi breaks away to score Leicester's fourth try against Newcastle on Saturday
It was the sort of explosive havoc-wreaking which helped Tuilagi make his name, in the colours of Leicester and England. It was a vision of past glories, seemingly without any future, such has been the relentless nature of the centre's injury agonies. But now there is new hope.
Tuilagi unleashed is just what Leicester need - and England too. If he can break his personal boom-and-bust cycle, he should wear 13 at next year's World Cup. They should build the back line around him. He is the X-factor Jones craves.
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Australia scraped a vital victory on Saturday but there were not many fans present to witness it. The 23-18 win against South Africa in Brisbane drew a crowd of just 27,849 — leaving 25,000 empty seats.
The Rugby Championship’s box-office appeal is in freefall because Kiwi dominance is removing all trace of drama, tension and anticipation. This is no time for Northern Hemisphere smugness, though.
Poor results and attendances for the Wallabies and Springboks spell trouble for the sport as a whole.
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New Zealand have another Pacific island force of nature on their hands. Shannon Frizell showed his marauding skills in a 46-24 win for the All Blacks against Argentina. The Highlanders forward, who could have qualified for Wales, was born in Tonga and follows the likes of Vaea Fifita and Malakai Fekitoa to wear the silver fern. England should be relieved he won’t be lining up for Tonga in next year’s World Cup.
Referees receive a monumental amount of criticism as they seek to enforce the myriad laws and edicts in this complex sport, so it was good to see an official earning widespread praise on Saturday. Christophe Ridley is 25, but he handled Wasps v Exeter like an assured veteran. When Dan Robson took a daft dive, he told him: 'You made a meal of that.' Well done. Good, firm tone. Keep it up.
Mighty Clermont Auvergne were dire last season. They finished ninth in the French league and missed out on the Champions Cup, which diminishes the whole event. Mercifully, the slump was brief. Now, they are leading the Top 14, with three big wins and 149 points. Wesley Fofana is casting spells in midfield and Alivereti Raka is running amok out wide. All is right in the world again.
The last word
The elite English clubs have their eyes on a bounty but must proceed with caution. The 12 Premiership sides and full shareholders London Irish are weighing up an offer of £275million for a 51 per cent stake in the league.
But let’s be clear, the private equity firm seeking to invest are on the hunt for a financial windfall.
We are told they will ‘cherish’ the game but all they will really cherish is the chance to make a vast profit.
Such a deal would help clear debts and provide funds for infrastructure spending but it would lead to commercial gain being put above anything else.
So fans should be on guard for more anti-social kick-off times and matches taken to new markets abroad. This is nirvana with strings attached.
Link article
https://hienalouca.com/2018/09/10/bath-plug-holes-but-are-still-listing-badly-and-outspoken-craig-should-get-his-own-house-in-order/
Main photo article The blazing van behind a stand at the Rec was not the only thing going up in smoke. Shortly before half-time on Saturday, there were emergencies on and off the field.
A derby against Gloucester, at home, is not an occasion for meek surrender. Trailing 21-0 to their rivals — after defeat at Br...
It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.
Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.
Dianne Reeves Sport HienaLouca
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/09/09/20/4FE3A5B400000578-0-image-m-12_1536520410931.jpg
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