BRISTOL (A) - 26th December 2021 - 2-00pm

[TigerFeetSteve]

That is a strong team!!

[RagingBull]

Looks like first half is going to be trying to contain Bristol attack then bring on the likes of Dolly, Leatigaga, Chessum and Wiese who are all carrying options against them.

[Tigerbeat]

Previewing the Boxing Day fixture, Borthwick said: “We know Sunday will be a big challenge for us against a Bristol Bears team who have world class players available for selection again.

“They come into Sunday’s game on the back of a couple of quieter weeks, without any games, and have an experienced coaching team who will have them prepared for a big performance at home in front of their supporters on Boxing Day.

“While it has not been an easy place for Leicester Tigers to play, winning only one of six games at Ashton Gate, our focus remains the same as a group; delivering a performance our supporters will be proud of at full-time.”

STARTING XV
15 Freddie Steward [43]
14 Harry Potter [23]
13 Matías Moroni [21]
12 Dan Kelly [29]
11 Nemani Nadolo [24]
10 George Ford [115]
9 Ben Youngs [271]
1 Ellis Genge (c) [97]
2 Julián Montoya [12]
3 Dan Cole [275]
4 Harry Wells [136]
5 Eli Snyman [7]
6 George Martin [26]
7 Tommy Reffell [58]
8 Marco van Staden [7]

REPLACEMENTS
16 Nic Dolly [11]
17 Nephi Leatigaga [52]
18 Joe Heyes [83]
19 Ollie Chessum [19]
20 Jasper Wiese [26]
21 Richard Wigglesworth [22]
22 Bryce Hegarty [5]
23 Guy Porter [28]

Bristol Bears: 15 Charles Piutau, 14 Toby Fricker, 13 Semi Radradra, 12 Sam Bedlow, 11 Ioan Lloyd, 10 Callum Sheedy, 9 Harry Randall; 1 Yann Thomas, 2 Harry Thacker, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 4 Joe Joyce, 5 Chris Vui, 6 Steven Luatua (c), 7 Sam Jeffries, 8 Fitz Harding
Replacements: 16 Will Capon, 17 Jake Woolmore, 18 Max Lahiff, 19 John Hawkins, 20 Jake Heenan, 21 Andy Uren, 22 Piers O’Conor, 23 Henry Purdy.

[longlivethecrumbie]

I don't think that you can argue with that side at all. Rotation of van Staden with Wiese makes sense and with Jasper coming off the bench at the hour mark against a tiring defence will be interesting. Also with the two sevens in the back row we will be looking to slow their ball down. I'd guess that it'll be Wiese on for Reffell and van Staden moving to 7 in the second half.

[Noggs]

No arguments with any of the selection. If we play to form and maintain our discipline I predict another 5 pointer.

[Scott1]

Radrada worries me, other than that quietly confident. This is the game we HAVE to win!

[Tigers86asw]

I remember the Exeter game vs Bristol at Ashton Gate where Bristol really struggled at the breakdown in the wider channels. Very sensible as always from SB. Also I expect their front row to struggle- Thacker vs Montoya at the scrum will be interesting.

[jgriffin]

A side to stir the heart!

[kk20gb30]

A win would be the perfect Xmas present - but taking nothing for granted.

[tigerburnie]

I might have had JvP in the squad, but other than that spot.

COME ON YOU TIGERRRrrrrssssss

[iceman_19]

I think Genge will be, and has to be, captain for this one, and he'll be out to prove a point. A solid bet for man of the match in my opinion.

Bristol will have looked at how Connacht caused us problems and will look to replicate it and they are capable of doing so if they finally click, but they're still vulnerable in the pack and Sheedy does not like a rush defence, so I expect us to push them deep and pressure him.

We spoke to the Bristol Fan Podcast on the Rolling Maul yesterday to get their perspective on the match, Scrumgate and, of course, 'that' video. We're now in agreement that this is pretty much a grudge match!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p ... 0545571527

Not sure Connacht caused us too many problems as such, most were of our own making. The captain not playing and Ford also missing led us to try and force the game too much. European games need calm heads and some are are a little less calm than others and might have benefitted from the presence of Ford in particular. We still won and players do have to be rested and recover from injury. We still got the bonus point win.

Good job Tom Youngs isn't playing - I doubt he would have calmed down from Pat Lam's shenannigans at the end of last season. The crowd may have been restricted for that game but the atmosphere was palpably hostile. I doubt Lam will be well received in front of a full crowd back at Welford Road this season!

I think their tries were from our mistakes but they made more line breaks than any other side against us. That said, we adapted, scrambled well and squeezed them out. Bristol haven’t looked as slick this year because Sheedy has been targeted and I expect us to do the same this time round. Hopefully he’ll find our rush defence particularly unpalatable…

[Dr H Flashman MBE]

Will the match still be on? My wife and I are going and staying 2 nights, if its off, I hope they declare it early, I don't suppose Hotel or Club will refund bookings etc? This was arranged months ago as a Christmas treat, don't want to lose money like my France cancellation.

I had a meeting at Ashton gate the other day and the safety officer was very confident of the game going ahead. 22k people with the ground selling out fast. Obliviously it’s down to boris but Bristol are confident it is going ahead. They have good Covid checks in place both so should be a smooth entry. Quite professional to be honest. Hope this eases yours and the wife’s concerns.

[Postiger2]

Wouldn't have had Genge as captain but in Steve we trust. Let's hope he puts in a top performance.

[Tiglon]

Borthwick seemed to make a point of being seen on camera smiling and chatting with Genge, in the build up to the Connaught game - that made it very clear that he was backing him.

IBWT

[WhitecapTiger]

Will the match still be on? My wife and I are going and staying 2 nights, if its off, I hope they declare it early, I don't suppose Hotel or Club will refund bookings etc? This was arranged months ago as a Christmas treat, don't want to lose money like my France cancellation.

https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/n ... -announced

Still on, according to this article