elhombrecito

Damn you all. I saw that a couple more pages had been added over night, and I thought they'd gone bust or something. But no, it was just two pages of songs 

So annoying that this game is at the same time as City. 

Bloody Baff 

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/apr/04/bristol-survival-bid-the-clash-bath-twickenham

Bristol chasing Europe not just safety in Twickenham ‘Clash’ with Bath

Pat Lam is adamant his players’ positive intent will not waver even if they are dragged back down into a relegation dogfight but he is looking up

When Bath opted to shift their home fixture against Bristol to Twickenham and market it as “the Clash” they did not imagine the uneasy scenario now confronting them. Should Bristol win on Saturday it will mark the first time since 2005 they have beaten Bath three times in a row and will bolster the Bears’ chances of qualifying for Europe above their West Country rivals.

A bonus-point victory allied to defeats for the bottom three teams – Newcastle, Worcester and Leicester – would also virtually guarantee Bristol safety from relegation, no mean achievement given the challenges they have had to face as a promoted side. In addition, it would justify their continuing faith in an open, adventurous brand of rugby which some critics initially branded as naive and foolhardy.

From their rousing opening-night win over Bath at Ashton Gate, Bristol have been a delight to watch and their director of rugby, Pat Lam, believes some other clubs could learn from how the Bears have approached this campaign. While his side’s defence has not always been watertight, Lam is adamant his players’ positive intent will not waver even if they are dragged back down into a relegation dogfight.

“People think we run the ball out of own half and it’s high-risk but we’ve trained to do that so we don’t look at it as risky,” says Lam, employing a flying analogy to explain his coaching philosophy. “If you put me on a plane and then asked me to fly it, that’s high-risk. If you put a trained pilot in the plane, it’s low-risk. It’s all very well talking about playing with no fear but the more you train how to implement it the better chance you have of it coming off.”

Having steered Connacht to the 2016 Pro12 title before joining Bristol, the Auckland-born former Samoa forward has also not wavered in his determination to look up rather than down. The Bears are only five points behind fifth-placed Northampton and even the injury absences of their star All Black, Charles Piutau, has not curtailed their attacking mindset. “From the start we’ve painted a vision of what we’re trying to achieve and how we want to play and train,” says Lam. “The whole focus has been on around the process, because the outcome will then take care of itself. Regardless of whether we win by 50 or lose by 50, we ask every day what we did well and what we can do better.”

More than most clubs they have also been prepared to take a punt on homegrown youth. Lam did the same in Galway, helping Jack Carty and Kieran Marmion progress from the Connacht academy to full Ireland caps, and Bristol’s two highly promising scrum-halves, Andy Uren and Harry Randall, are among those now making rapid strides. Uren, 23, is a local lad with the ability to make things happen while the diminutive Randall, 22, has represented both England and Wales at age-group level and is another sparky presence.

Lam has been sufficiently impressed not to have bothered looking around for bigger-name half-backs. “I’ve had to turn down any amount of quality, experienced 9s because I’ve seen the potential of these two boys,” says Lam. “The best way for them to get experience is to get game time and the two of them are pushing each other week in, week out, alongside Nic Stirzaker. Part of our vision is to develop players for England; that’s why we put the time into these guys.”

Only Newcastle and Leicester, meanwhile, have scored fewer tries than seventh-placed Bath, who were well beaten at Exeter in their last league fixture and have won away from the Rec in the league just once since September. Ticket sales for the Clash have nevertheless been buoyant, with the club hoping for a crowd of around 60,000. A live performance from the Wurzels is among the day’s featured attractions.

3 minutes ago, TETBURY MASSIVE said:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6873947/Hull-City-join-chase-red-hot-Bristol-Rovers-striker-Jonson-Clarke-Harris.html

 

£10m. Minimum. 

32 minutes ago, Miah Dennehy said:

136 years old this year. 

Happy 37th btw

Maths isn't your strong point is it?

2 minutes ago, Jim Davey said:

so where do they get 40.000 from that looks more like under well under 30,000 ?

It was around 25,000 if memory serves me correctly.

Here we go. 

40,000

Not 40,000

49 minutes ago, phantom said:

We're already on page 1001

16 minutes ago, jellyred said:

Mine says 991?

I believe those of us who are moderators etc still have all the hidden posts counted, so as Phantom says, from what we can see we are already on page 1001!

11 minutes ago, Unan said:

Bloody hell Coventry will be very hard, considering they’re in a different league ‍

Are you sure?

3-0

Didn't even realise they were playing.

Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce you to the 15ers glorious history...

Southern League Division One: Champions: 1904–05

Football League Third Division South: Champions: 1952–53

Football League Third Division: Champions: 1989–90

Football League Third Division South Cup: Winners: 1934–35

Watney Cup: Winners : 1972

Illustrious I'm sure you'll agree  

3 hours ago, CyderInACan said:

Sure I saw somewhere it was up over 13k so far 

40 minutes ago, phantom said:

I should be more observant 

I would be there, but it's the wife's birthday, and I'm not sure it's the romantic trip that she's looking for... 

Not sure the attendance is going to be that great, as they haven't really mentioned how the sales are going and I've noticed it's been heavily advertised on social media! 

Okay, they've still not updated their site 

1 hour ago, Super said:

I have probably missed it but why is this being played at Twickenham?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Clash_(rugby)

The Clash is an annual rugby union match hosted by Bath Rugby around Easter time each year. It is one of Bath's regular home matches in Premiership Rugby but it is moved from their usual home ground at the Recreation Ground (14,500 capacity) to the much larger Twickenham Stadium in London (82,000 seats).

1 hour ago, JBFC II said:

Tickets booked for the Clash in April. 

There's still 90 odd £16 tickets left on the Bristol sport ticket page which is excellent value

It's a shame that City are home on the same day, otherwise I would definitely be going. 

I'm undecided whether to watch what will undoubtedly be an enthralling game at the Westfalenstadion as Dortmund try to overcome a three goal deficit, or watch a stadium full* of disappointed 15ers as their dreams of Wembley turn to dust...

*Well, part from the closed stand and other unsold tickets.

Interestingly, the Guardian don't even recognise tonight's game (and they even list Scottish League 2!).

25 minutes ago, TomF said:

Worcester you useless shites. I swear they’re sent back in time to repeatedly cause us misery.   Would have said Newcastle were all but down had they lost today. Hope we can keep the gap +5 points going into the final game 

We're still closer to Wasps in 5th place than we are to Newcastle in last place.

1 hour ago, slartibartfast said:

to see them lose ?

Also, as a non-rugby follower..........why do they name their team so early, you don't get that at football, hour before, tops ?

Often wondered this myself. But all teams (club and international) do this. As you can see, Gloucester have also announced their team:

30 minutes ago, Super said:

Who cares about attendances we need a win.

Bigger attendance = better atmosphere = more chance of winning. 

Anyways, here's the team:

15,000 now sold. Not a bad crowd, but really should be getting at least 20,000 for this game.

1 minute ago, MC26 said:

Oh hang on, that post says 15k MORE than what they currently get?! I thought they were talking rubbish at expecting just 15k! 

To be fair, I think they are saying they'd get 15k, but get more again if they were in the playoffs... I think 

2 minutes ago, Loon plage said:

Tin hat for this poster ..

Was chatting to a few of their mob in the Sportsman after the game. Cracking lads. I asked them if they preferred us to the 82ers and they all agreed. They thought our support at their place was brilliant and they could see that we are as passionate about our club as they are about theirs. They had seen the shitheads and Swansea the other week and commented on how amazingly friendly our fans were in comparison. They were surprised when I told them that Rovers have taken 40,000 to Wembley in the past. They though we should be pushing top half Championship at least with such a massive fan base. Hopefully they won’t go up because I’d love another weekend in Newcastle £2.60 a pint! FTG.   No offence but are you sure they weren't taking the piss or worried they would get a shoeing if they said they preferred City ? It would be a stupid thing to say otherwise in the Sportsman wouldn't it. Take a look at the top end of the Championship and consider the size of the clubs there Gurensey FC is getting over 20,000 nowadays and they are just average in terms of attendances - Sunderland fans would know that. Fact is, taking perhaps 40,000 to Wembley on a one off jolly with loads of non fans is the same as the sh** doing the same. We haven't averaged over five figures in decades so our fan base isn't massive at all. How the **** does anyone establish a fanbase anyway ? Do you tick a box when you return your council tax form ? A big club coming to town and patting us on the head and we are grateful for it.... pathetic.

He's a Ted obviously. Can you imagine the abuse he's going to get now for simply stating the truth? 

Just thought I'd watch the "highlights", to cheer myself up this morning. I was particularly impressed by their marking for the first goal (I've highlighted the player concerned as obviously he was tricky to spot).

3 minutes ago, BTRFTG said:

If this isn't the finest football photograph of the season I'm a Dutchman. @lightaperture on Twitter - brilliant.

The keeper obviously couldn't be arsed to try and save it.