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Bath statement: Challenge Cup match versus Toulon is off

(Photo by Bob Bradford/CameraSport via Getty Images)

Bath have confirmed that Saturday’s European Challenge Cup game at home to Toulon is off due to flooding. The round three match was set to kick off at The Rec at 3:15pm but an 11am update from the club explained that the fixture was postponed.

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A tweet read: “Bath Rugby are required to postpone today’s fixture at The Rec following a pitch and stadium safety inspection after significant further rainfall overnight. A decision about when the game will be played will be announced as soon as possible.”

A follow-up statement explained: “Bath Rugby’s EPCR Challenge Cup match against Toulon on Saturday has been postponed following a pitch and stadium safety inspection by the referee, club safety officer and officials from both clubs.

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“Due to heavy and persistent rainfall over recent days, the River Avon has exceeded its bank-full capacity. The water level reduced on Friday. However, there was further significant rainfall overnight and the river level is currently rising alongside a high ground water level.

“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.

“The pitch has also been deemed unplayable by the referee and club officials from both Bath and Toulon due to standing water at the south end of the field. For safety reasons, the club is therefore required to postpone today’s match.

“Regarding ticketing for the rearranged match, please refrain from contacting Supporter Services. Communication will be shared as soon as possible. The situation is hugely disappointing. Bath Rugby apologises for any inconvenience caused.”

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Bath had warned on Friday that the European fixture could be in jeopardy. At the time they said: “Bath Rugby is monitoring overnight rainfall and river levels, and in particular their impact on the riverside footpath. Currently, there is no change to the fixture against Toulon. The club will communicate with supporters by 10:00 on Saturday.”

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S
SK 31 minutes ago
What is the future of rugby in 2025?

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.

34 Go to comments
J
JW 5 hours ago
'Let's not sugarcoat it': Former All Black's urgent call to protect eligibility rules

Yep, no one knows what will happen. Thing is I think (this is me arguing a point here not a random debate with this one) they're better off trialing it now in a controlled environment than waiting to open it up in a knee jerk style reaction to a crumbling organtization and team. They can always stop it again.


The principle idea is that why would players leave just because the door is ajar?


BBBR decides to go but is not good enough to retain the jersey after doing it. NZ no longer need to do what I suggest by paying him to get back upto speed. That is solely a concept of a body that needs to do what I call pick and stick wth players. NZR can't hold onto everyone so they have to choose their BBBRs and if that player comes back from a sabbatical under par it's a priority to get him upto speed as fast as possible because half of his competition has been let go overseas because they can't hold onto them all. Changing eligibility removes that dilemma, if a BBBR isn't playing well you can be assured that someone else is (well the idea is that you can be more assured than if you only selected from domestic players).


So if someone decides they want to go overseas, they better do it with an org than is going to help improve them, otherwise theyre still basically as ineligible as if they would have been scorning a NZ Super side that would have given them the best chance to be an All Black.

147 Go to comments
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