Bristol (Home) - 30th April 2022 KO 15:00

[Pellsey]

Interesting no Matt Scott maybe picked up a niggle, but shows the faith the coaches have in Porter.

Don't we all?! He is an excellent player.

I'm feeling quietly confident looking at the two teams.

[westwinds31]

Suffocate them with our defence. Play the territory game and maul them to death. Job is a good 'un. Take that Pat !
My one worry is that they have nothing to play for or lose, so could be dangerous throwing it around.

Just seeing the name "Montoya" on the team sheet fills me with joy and confidence.

[Pellsey]

Suffocate them with our defence. Play the territory game and maul them to death. Job is a good 'un. Take that Pat !
My one worry is that they have nothing to play for or lose, so could be dangerous throwing it around.

Just seeing the name "Montoya" on the team sheet fills me with joy and confidence.

Agree and agree! Our midfield, Porter and Moroni, looks pretty solid defensively. Looking at our front row, or front 5 really, we should be able to smash them in the scrum.

[Rugbygramps]

Isn’t it interesting that as fans we are still affected by that uncertainty brought on by the fallow period.
We should win this match comfortably by 20 points, but that nagging doubt is still there

[Noggs]

With Nathan missing and Harry at 2 I am hoping we can bully them and win a few scrum penalties (even with Dickson).

At least 2 forwards tries from the catch and drive, one from Ashton to get his record plus a big crash ball for Nadolo in the last 20 should do it

[Rugbygramps]

That’s a strong Bristol team that could give Tigers a run for their money, but they can’t seem to get their act together. What’s paramount for me is a win without any injuries, so let’s hope for a commanding first half to build a lead before unleashing the beasts on the bench!

It is but how many would you swap for our starting 15, none I would suggest

[Robespierre]

That’s a strong Bristol team that could give Tigers a run for their money, but they can’t seem to get their act together. What’s paramount for me is a win without any injuries, so let’s hope for a commanding first half to build a lead before unleashing the beasts on the bench!

It is but how many would you swap for our starting 15, none I would suggest

None!

[OakhamTiger32]

Why us......at least Kitty isn't involved.

And Rosey is one of the better less intrusive TMO in my view

That's a good thing as you can argue the TMO has as much influence on the game as tge ref

To be honest I’d be more disappointed if we had Kitt, Hodnet or CMK.. I believe we have had Mr Dickson on the whistle 4 times this season so far and have won all 4 so personally I’m not concerned by his involvement. Although that being said he does like to be the centre of attention and Sent 2 players off last week for head butts that the TMO told him was nothing more than a yellow.. he wanted red for both and then the cards were subsequently overturned. But I’m confident we will find a way..

Very strong side and bar MVS we are pretty much at full strength which is fantastic. Great to see Montoya back. Should be a great game and I definitely fancy our chances to pick up the 5 points

[OakhamTiger32]

Been a while since we've seen Porter at 12, other than that there's a good argument that may be our strongest XV

Porter hasn’t started at 12 at all this season. I’d say with the exception of perhaps JvP, Kelly and MVS added in that’s pretty much as strong as we’ve seen.

[OakhamTiger32]

Bristol

15. Charles Piutau (61 apps), 14. Toby Fricker (26 apps), 13. Jack Bates (19 apps), 12. Piers O’Conor (106 apps), 11. Henry Purdy (39 apps), 10. Callum Sheedy (129 apps), 9. Harry Randall (82 apps); 1. Jake Woolmore (105 apps), 2. Harry Thacker (74 apps), 3. John Afoa (85 apps), 4. Joe Joyce (149 apps), 5. Chris Vui (90 apps), 6. Steven Luatua (c) (96 apps), 7. Sam Jeffries (51 apps), 8. Fitz Harding (30 apps).

System players: 16. Will Capon (59 apps), 17. Jono Benz-Salomon (4 apps), 18. Jake Armstrong (30 apps), 19. John Hawkins (34 apps), 20. Dan Thomas (107 apps), 21. Andy Uren (132 apps), 22. Ioan Lloyd (59 apps), 23. Alapati Leiua (101 apps).

Bristol Bears' official unavailable list published on Friday, April 22:

Max Lahiff
Yann Thomas
Kyle Sinckler
Bryan Byrne
Dave Attwood
Jake Heenan
Nathan Hughes
Oscar Lennon
Tom Whiteley
Siva Naulago
Semi Radradra
Rich Lane

[westwinds31]

Isn’t it interesting that as fans we are still affected by that uncertainty brought on by the fallow period.
We should win this match comfortably by 20 points, but that nagging doubt is still there

I’m sure we’ll be fine. Just being aware of the obvious threat from a Bristol side with the freedom to move the ball at will, without any fear given their league position and the confidence they would have gained from beating Gloucester. Our mantra of only looking at the next game works well here, we won’t be complacent. The longer we go looking comfortable in games, the less I feel that the wheels may fall off !! I think it’s the Leicester City effect where there’s always a slight (ish) doubt.

[Scott1]

Thought Piatau was injured?!

[chris111]

Despite having had Dickson regularly, and despite our moaning about him, he hasn't presided over a loss for us in over 12 months.
(Saints game last year 24th April)
So either
1- we've played him out of the game every time we've had him. In which case lets do it again
Or
2- he doesn't make decisions which are too bad for us.

This is true, but it does not stop him ruining the enjoyment of the game or me screaming at the tv.

I don't believe Dickson is biased, just totally random.

As you said, let's hope the game is not close enough, that any poor decisions cost us.

Personally I love watching rugby at all levels - so the standard of both the players and the referee will not detract from my enjoyment. You should try Zen rugby yourself….excellent for one’s blood pressure as well as emotional well-being!

[Pellsey]

Despite having had Dickson regularly, and despite our moaning about him, he hasn't presided over a loss for us in over 12 months.
(Saints game last year 24th April)
So either
1- we've played him out of the game every time we've had him. In which case lets do it again
Or
2- he doesn't make decisions which are too bad for us.

This is true, but it does not stop him ruining the enjoyment of the game or me screaming at the tv.

I don't believe Dickson is biased, just totally random.

As you said, let's hope the game is not close enough, that any poor decisions cost us.

Personally I love watching rugby at all levels - so the standard of both the players and the referee will not detract from my enjoyment. You should try Zen rugby yourself….excellent for one’s blood pressure as well as emotional well-being!

Haha... thanks, I will look into it!

[Rugbygramps]

Thought Piatau was injured?!

It was reported as a groin the other week but no time scale given. Randrana out for the season