Match thread Bath v Wasps

[Shugs]

You’re not kidding. I’m amazed he’s lasted as long as he has. Masses of talent but they are far too easy to score against and have been for a long time. He refuses to employ a specialist defence coach. I also think he’s been badly let down by some of his senior players such as Faletau, McNally, Obano and Joseph.

[JonnyD]

Can't help wondering if Stuart Hooper is living on borrowed time. Yes they're trying to manage an injury crisis at a similar level to ours but they've been under-performing for years. I've always looked at their squad and thought that with the personnel they've got they should be challenging for top four year after year but they rarely offer any sustained consistency. Hooper is a thoroughly decent guy, I wish him no ill and obviously he's a Bath man through and through but particularly now that they have a new CEO I think the pressure on him to get some decent results is going to be massive.

Not sure if it’s Hooper who’ll be in for the chop or Hatley as head coach. Not sure how much Hooper actually does with the team or whether he selects the team or whether it’s just the dynamic of a DOR that just doesn’t work as a relationship.
That back line has underperformed for years, probably since Steve Meehan was there but now it actually looks ok and now it’s the pack that seems to be lacking some bite

[Brandnewtorugby]

You’re not kidding. I’m amazed he’s lasted as long as he has. Masses of talent but they are far too easy to score against and have been for a long time. He refuses to employ a specialist defence coach. I also think he’s been badly let down by some of his senior players such as Faletau, McNally, Obano and Joseph.

I have always thought McNally was one player who stood out (or up). Bath seems to be where a fair number of players with nothing to prove go to play out their career.

[westwaleswasp]

Back when we had Wadey, Charles P etc. the Bath board would post something on the lines of 'don't kick to their back three', which they inevitably did.
Back then they had a pack and then some, and decent backs, but they always appeared to be lacking rugby sense  playing into the opposition  hands time after time. Nothing much seems to have changed, they seem to play to the opposition strengths time after time, the only difference being nowadays they don't have the quality and depth to win matches despite their naivety.

I really would like to see a strong Bath, it is good for rugby in general, and good for the South West, and good for the England team.

[Heathen]

Stooke may also have been able to add some value to our strategy for the game.