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@RuckTheWRU @TightFive_Rugby Why don't you try reading to the various reports or listening to the numerous podcasts discussing it, you lazy twit.

@KrayilAS @TightFive_Rugby Prove it.

Throwing in my two cents here… The fact that a TV director has any, let alone a significant, influence on a semi-final in the greatest club competition in all of rugby is criminal. Not giving access to certain angles when the TMO is asking for them (according to Andy Goode who could hear them both) is inexcusable. And whether or not Bath would have won the game, it does have significant impact - the TV director has changed the game. It has needed looking at for a long time, hopefully this will actually lead to some sort of investigation…

@statto190379 @TightFive_Rugby Probably because they didn't beat Saints and Sarries due to the ref. Hasn't stopped Saints fans bleating on about it non stop since though.

@TightFive_Rugby Didnt hear this outcry when Bath beat Saints and Sarries due to ref

@roibtp33 @TightFive_Rugby Probably because this doesn't show head contact, play the clip and you'll see.

@TightFive_Rugby Why this wasn’t review then ?

@RuckTheWRU @TightFive_Rugby You've said that with a lot of conviction, yet, you're wrong.

@TightFive_Rugby The TV director has no control over the footage the TMO reviews. It’s a separate system.

@denismu30264881 @BettingRugby999 @BathRugby Agree with all of that, it’s not simply money. But specifically re front 5 forwards, guys like Ben Tameifuna, Emmanuel Meafou & RG Snyman don’t grow on trees, and it’s tough for the English clubs to compete for them. It’s an arms race they can’t really compete in.

@KrayilAS @BettingRugby999 @BathRugby I think people look at it the wrong way. The lazy answer is to say France has loads of money. But France has invested heavily in youth. Most France teams gave up on only pay cheque signings of 10 years ago. Leinster has no choice but to invest in youth. Money is the lazy answer

Second rows who could be a good add to @BathRugby Trying to be realistic so no Skelton, Snyman, McCarthy, Eben, Beirne, Itoje, Flament, Vaa’i… Premiership - Chessum (Tigers) - Bamber (Sale Sharks) - Coles (Saints) - Jenkins (Chiefs) URC - Adre Smith (Stormers) - JD Schickerling (Stormers) - Gregor Brown (Warriors) - Cobus Wiese (Bulls) - Nicolo Cannone (Trevise) - Ben Carter (Dragons) Top 14 - Jonny Hill (Racing 92) - Verhaegue (MHR) - Duguid (MHR) - Tuilagi (USAP) - Maximin (Pau) SuperRugby - Josh Lord (Chiefs) - Ah Kuoi (Chiefs) - Sam Darry (Blues) - Dearns (Hurricanes) - Salakaia Loto (Reds)

@BathBytes Yep, really tough, but Miles for me as well, shout out to Beno too.

Toughest one for a few seasons this year, but for me it's the ever reliable back row player who seems to have gone up another notch this season. #NewLidWorks

@Sam_jess2003 @CharlieFelix The problem for Bath is they’re weaker next season with the impending departures, the first time in JvGs tenure that’s been the case as the recruitment and retention has been superb. Cap pressure.

@CharlieFelix If Bath can get a home country semi-final then they could go all the way. However it’s so hard to look past UBB unless they have a fall from grace like Toulon did after their dynasty.

Genuine Q… where’s the next Prem winner coming from and when will it be? Birmingham Bradys in 2033?

@walksy10 @RucksSake I mean that’s just clearly not true, given he’s been brilliant for the most part in an England shirt.

@RucksSake Good club player but nowhere near it at international level I'm afraid

Controversial but 2025 Guy Pepper was a test match animal. 2026 Guy Pepper been absolutely mediocre/wimpy

@denismu30264881 @BettingRugby999 @BathRugby Somewhat true re the Welsh, Scottish and Italians but they aren’t exactly producing tons of top class tight 5 forwards and again, if Zander Ferguson for example left Glasgow, he’d get a lot more lucrative offers in France.

@denismu30264881 @BettingRugby999 @BathRugby They can generally keep the centrally contracted players but even then it’s not guaranteed, see Tom Willis. But that’s a small group of players, it’s guys like Sinkler and Ribbans that I’m sure Bath and many other Prem Clubs would love to have.

@turnbjames @BettingRugby999 @BathRugby Sodeke is the one for me, we need his additional bulk, there is a reason Kpoku is primarily being used at 6 by Racing & Toulon. Also less hyped and Sarries have just added George Martin.

@BettingRugby999 @BathRugby Junior Kpoku or Olamide Sodeke for potential and Jonny Hill or Rowland’s as older statesman.

@denismu30264881 @BettingRugby999 @BathRugby Very difficult for English clubs, even the best funded, to compete with Leinster and the French giants due to the salary cap. Particularly when it comes to the best tight 5 forwards because there aren’t many blokes the required size who are also good at rugby. In demand. 💵

@BettingRugby999 @BathRugby Early days, but from what I've seen, P McCarthy is a better LH than Obano. I'd say Boyle is as well but it's close. Neither Dunn nor T have gone on two Lions tours and have 50 Ireland caps like Kelleher. But Tuipulotu has potential. The rest na completely different levels.

@andy_o_rugby @StephBouchaib @Raph_Ibanesse Odd behaviour.

@StephBouchaib @Raph_Ibanesse This is crazy!! Irish fans are laughing at how sad the English fans are 🤣🤣

Vue le pressing qui est en train de s'organiser outre-Manche sur le plaquage de Lucu, j'ai peur d'une possible suspension pour la finale.

@Tongantwave67 @Bean182 @jaredwright17 Also missed the fact Pollock should have been binned a couple of minutes earlier for hands on the floor then playing the ball after a Bath break.

@Bean182 @jaredwright17 You missed the forward pass for Saints’ 2nd try then & the 2 tries where the last Bath defender was taken out early allowing Pollock & Sleightholme to score… oh & the fact that Saints were completely outplayed in the 2nd half. UBB the better side & deserved the win.

The three incidents JvG references.

@themagic_tophat City drop points tonight, we dispatch Athletico tomorrow and then wave off the Hammers at the weekend, it was in a dream..! 🙏

I’ve been day drinking. If City don’t win tonight I’m going to be unbearable

@mangorugby @willgkelleher @TimesSport @CharlieFelix @AlfredReynolds5 He didn’t moan about the ref, he asked for consistency with regard to the TMO / camera angels provided by the TV Directors. And a horrendous mess? It was a top game, Bath were within 5 points with 10 to go and UBB dodged a couple of nailed on yellows. The best team won though.

@willgkelleher @TimesSport @CharlieFelix @AlfredReynolds5 Johann van Grann needs to stop whining about refs and actually take accountability for the horrendous mess that was his teams’s performance

🎙️ The Ruck! Since Bordeaux-Bath I’ve spoken to quite a few broadcasters & producers. So within is a nuanced explanation of rugby TV production, replays, and the “🇫🇷 director” issue …& thankfully some rugby @TimesSport @CharlieFelix @AlfredReynolds5 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the…

@ryan_baz @bencoles_ Because not all head contact requires a HIA. He would have been well checked + gumshield alert if required.

@bencoles_ Also worth discussing why Barbeary wasn’t pulled for a HIA (regardless of refereeing shortcomings).

Johann van Graan is usually very measured. So his comments about three alleged 'headshots' on Alfie Barbeary were worth noting. Analysed each of them on this week's Substack. Read: theofffieldreview.substack.com/p/analysis-thr… Also, to be crystal clear, UBB were the better side and deserved to win.

@itzybitzysarah @bencoles_ No one said anything? What rock were you hiding under Sarah, it’s all anyone spoke about? And just because Saints felt hard done by doesn’t mean we need more inconsistent reffing does it..?

@bencoles_ And yet when Bath did similar things to Northampton, no one ever said anything… it’s funny how the world works isn’t it?! Bordeaux were definitely the better team yesterday, Bath looked panicky for quite some time!

@HJeffred @Zander182007 @bencoles_ Neither are head contact, what’s your point..?

@Zander182007 @bencoles_ Prise au coup.

@JohnEvely_BPost Anything a couple of frames earlier John? Sure it’s high but this doesn’t strictly show it.

JvG shares his immense frustration at missed high tackles during Bath’s defeat to Bordeaux-Begles