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Statement: Bath vs Toulon rescheduled for Sunday but not at The Rec
By Liam Heagney
Saturday’s postponed European Challenge Cup match between Bath and Toulon has been rescheduled for Sunday but it won’t be played at The Rec. Bath’s home ground has been having issues with flooding and the decision was taken to instead switch the game to Kingsholm, the home of Gloucester.
A statement read: “The EPCR Challenge Cup round three fixture between Bath Rugby and RC Toulon has been rescheduled for Kingsholm on Sunday at 15.15 local time.
“The Pool A contest was due to be played on Saturday at the Recreation Ground. However, following a pitch and stadium safety inspection by the match referee, Chris Busby (Ireland), the Bath Rugby safety officer and officials from both clubs, it was decided to postpone the match.
“Due to heavy and persistent rainfall over recent days in the Bath area, the pitch was deemed unplayable, and with flooding in and around entrances to the Recreation Ground and on the key approach routes, the venue was also deemed unsafe for supporters to attend.
“With further rainfall expected overnight and no guarantee that The Rec would be playable tomorrow, and with Bath’s designated alternative venue, Kingsholm, unavailable today due to the Heineken Champions Cup match between Gloucester Rugby and Leinster Rugby, it has been decided to play the fixture tomorrow.
“Bath Rugby, RC Toulon and their respective Leagues - Premiership Rugby and the LNR - are all in agreement with the rescheduling and relocation at short notice. Ticketing information for the match will be clarified by Bath Rugby as soon as possible. EPCR would like to thank Gloucester Rugby for making Kingsholm available.”
In an earlier statement, Bath explained: “There has been flooding in and around entrances to The Rec and on the key approach routes to the stadium, particularly at the south end of the stadium. There are up to eight inches of standing water in areas of the stadium, meaning it is not safe for supporters to attend."
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Set pieces are important and the way teams use them is a great indication of how they play the game. No team is showcasing their revolution more than the Springboks. This year they have mauled less and primarily in the attacking third. Otherwise they have tended to set like they are going to maul and then play around the corner or shove the ball out the back. They arent also hitting the crash ball carrier constantly but instead they are choosing to use their width or a big carrying forward in wider areas. While their maul is varied the scrum is still a blunt instrument winning penalties before the backs have a go. Some teams have chosen to blunt their set piece game for more control. The All Blacks are kicking more penalties and are using their powerful scrum as an attacking tool choosing that set piece as an attacking weapon. Their willingness to maul more and in different positions is also becoming more prominent. The French continue to play conservative rugby off the set piece using their big bruisers frequently. The set piece is used differently by different teams. Different teams play different ways and can be successful regardless. They can win games with little territory and possession or smash teams with plenty of both. The game of rugby is for all types and sizes and thats true in the modern era. I hope that administrators keep it that way and dont go further towards a Rugby League style situation. Some administrators are of the opinion that rugby is too slow and needs to be sped up. Why not rather empower teams to choose how they want to play and create a framework that favours neither size nor agility. That favours neither slow tempo play or rock n roll rugby. Create a game that favour both and challenge teams to execute their plans. If World Rugby can create a game like that then it will be the ultimate winner.
Go to commentsA new axis at 10, 12 & 13 is needed. And to start blooding young players who may be good enough to win us a world cup rather than stick with known players who won't.
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