A good or bad move for Nathan Hughes? A Bristol Bears and Wasps composite XV
Coming into the 2018/19 Gallagher Premiership season, Wasps were expected to be a playoff side contending for the title, whilst Bristol Bears were tipped to be in a relegation battle and up against the odds to retain their status as a Premiership club.
Fast-forward just over six months and there are only five points separating the two teams, with Bristol set to host Wasps on Friday evening and Pat Lam’s side capable of erasing that deficit come the final whistle.
Wasps number eight Nathan Hughes made the headlines earlier this season when it was confirmed he would leave the Coventry-based club, who have been in the playoffs for the last three seasons, for the side from the south-west, who are eager to re-establish themselves as a Premiership force.
With the two teams set to meet at Ashton Gate on Friday evening and the supposed high-fliers falling well below expectations, as well as the promoted side punching above their weight, we have put together a composite XV between the two clubs.
Are Wasps still the better side on paper or have Bristol usurped them, in their bid to become a force in English rugby once again?
- Charles Piutau, Bristol Bears
One that even the most ardent Wasps fan will struggle to disagree with, having seen Piutau grace the pitch of the Ricoh Arena to extremely favourable effect in the 2015/16 season. The Kiwi has seen injury disrupt his first season at Bristol but his talents are undeniable and, when fit, he is one of the top players in the competition.
- Josh Bassett, Wasps
An underrated player, Bassett regularly delivers for Wasps, despite being starved of the platform that he has enjoyed in recent seasons at the club. Former Wasp Alapati Leiua has also gone well for Bristol this season, but Bassett just sneaks ahead of the Samoan.
- Elliot Daly, Wasps
A veritable Swiss Army Knife of a player, Daly is most often used at 13 for Wasps, although he would make this XV at outside centre or on either wing. The club will miss that versatility, as well as his obvious ability as a counter-attacker, creator and kicking option, when he moves to Saracens next season.
- Siale Piutau, Bristol Bears
Without being in electrifying form, Piutau has provided consistency for Bristol and an ability to run hard and straighten the line, often creating space for those around him. Michael Le Bourgeois and Juan de Jongh have had their moments for Wasps in rotation, but Piutau has been one of the more unheralded reasons for Bristol’s success so far this season.
- Luke Morahan, Bristol Bears
From the unheralded to the heralded, Morahan’s clinical finishing out wide has been getting its due recognition for Bristol this campaign. From the opener against Bath, where he tormented Bristol’s age-old rivals, Morahan has been the sharp edge of the knife that is the club’s back line.
- Ian Madigan, Bristol Bears
A tough choice, with Lima Sopoaga having achieved a lot with both the Highlanders and the All Blacks, but his transition to the Premiership has not been as seamless as Madigan’s. In fairness, Madigan had a season in the Greene King IPA Championship to acclimatise before arriving in the Premiership, but it’s a battle he’s edging at the moment, nevertheless. There is more to come from Sopoaga.
- Dan Robson, Wasps
Finally capped by England on the weekend, Robson’s tempo and play around the fringes has been the heartbeat of the club over the last couple of seasons. Some have argued that his form has dipped this season, but that looks to be a symptom of Wasps’ struggles in general, with the scrum-half’s play looking as alert and sharp as ever.
- Yann Thomas, Bristol Bears
Thomas’ work at the set-piece and in the loose has been excellent this season and the Bristol-native might be enjoying the best campaign of his career to date, after a rotational role in his eight-year stint at Gloucester. He seems to suit Lam’s mobile, high-tempo style well.
- Harry Thacker, Bristol Bears
Talking of Lam’s playing philosophy, Thacker is another front rower that suits it down to the ground. His six tries this season have him tied for the fourth most in the Premiership and his ball-carrying ability has kept Bristol on the front-foot this season, as well as a threat to score from anywhere on the pitch.
- Jake Cooper-Woolley, Wasps
The Sale Sharks-bound tighthead is going to be another big loss for Wasps to have to deal with next season. He has been unlucky not to win an England cap over the last few years and that largely comes down to Dan Cole’s durability and Kyle Sinckler’s impressive development.
- Chris Vui, Bristol Bears
Getting the Samoa captain to extend his deal with the club until 2022 has been one of the best bits of business Lam and Bristol have done this season. His versatility to play both second row and blindside has been valuable, bringing plenty of carrying and lineout ability to the squad, as well as a good mix of line-speed and tackling efficiency.
- Joe Launchbury, Wasps
Losing Launchbury to injury early in the season has not helped Wasps, but with the international second row now fit again, albeit away with England, they will be confident of pushing back up the table in the second half of the season.
- Steven Luatua, Bristol Bears
Arguably the pick of Bristol’s performers so far this campaign, Luatua has brought the leadership, power in the carry and an ability to keep phases alive that he was renowned for at the Blues and meshed it with good decision-making as to when and when not to play his hand.
- Thomas Young, Wasps
Young has been one of the bright spots for Wasps in a disappointing six months, with the Welshman proving to be as predatory as ever at the contact area, whilst also providing a threat with ball in hand. He made a deserved Six Nations debut against Italy at the weekend.
- Nathan Hughes, Wasps
One which Bristol fans won’t mind conceding, with the powerful number eight heading south in the summer. His ability to break the gain-line, win the contact and free his arms at the Premiership level is exceptional and one that Wasps will miss and Bristol will enjoy in equal measure next season.
Watch: Eddie Jones and Owen Farrell talk to the press after England’s win over France
Comments on RugbyPass
First of all. This guy is very much behind the curve. All the bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning took place days ago already. Not adding anything to the topic other than more bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning. 🍼 Second of all, not one mention of the fact that South African teams can’t get home semi finals or finals. The tournament was undermined and devalued by the administrators. 🤡 Thirdly, football teams often have to juggle selections in mid week games, premier games, champions league games etc. and will from time to time prioritize certain titles over others. 🐒 And lastly FEK Neil, and anyone else for that matter, for insisting on telling teams how to manage themselves. If they make what is largely a business decision that suits them and doesn’t suit you - tough shite. 💩 It’s not rocket science as to why the Bulls did what they did. If this guy is too slow to figure it out (and is deliberately not mentioning one of the key reasons why) then he isn’t a journalist. He should join the rest of us pundit plebs in comments section. 🥴
14 Go to commentsSo the first door to knock on Rob is Parliament followed by HMRC. The Irish Revenue deliver a 40% tax relief rebate on the HIGHEST EARNING TEN YEARS of every pro Irish rugby players contract earnings at retirement. That goes a long way to both retaining their best talent and freeing up wages for marquee players. Who knows, if that had been in place in the UK, you might not have been able to poach Hoggy and Jonny Gray from Glasgow…!!!
2 Go to comments1. True, if that “free” ticket means access to all but the prized exhibit - EVIP only. SA cannot host semis, even if they’ve earned it (see Sharks vs ASM Clermont Auvergne at… Twickenham Stoop). 2. Why no selective outrage over Lyon doing the exact same thing a week earlier? Out of all the countries France send the most “B teams”, why nobody talking about “disrespect” and “prioritising domestic leagues” and “kicking them out”? 3. Why no mention of the Sharks fielding all of their Springboks for the second rate Challenge cup QF? No commitment? 4. Why no mention of all the SA teams qualifying for respective euro knock out comps in the two seasons they’ve been in it? How many euro teams have qualified for KO’s in their history? Can’t compete? 5. Why no mention of SA teams beating French and English giants La Rochelle and Saracens? How many euro teams have done that in their history? Add no quality? The fact is that SA teams are only in their second season in europe, with no status and a fraction of the resources. Since joining the URC, SA has seen a repatriation of a number of players, and this will only grow once SA start sharing in the profits of competing in these comps, meaning bigger squads with greater depth and quality, meaning they don’t have to prioritise comps as they have to now - they don’t have imports from Pacifica and South America and everywhere else in between like “European” teams have - also less “Saffas” in Prem and T14, that’s what we want right? 'If the South Africans are in, they need to be all in' True, and we have to ensure we give them the same status and resources as we give everyone else to do just that. A small compromise on scheduling will go a long way in avoiding these situations, but guess what, France and England wont compromise on scheduling because they ironically… prioritise their domestic comps, go figure!
14 Go to commentsthe success of the premiership can be summarized by : only 10 teams. It makes a huge difference with the overcrowded top 14 (let us not talk about Leinster and URC…)
1 Go to commentsGood for him. The ABs were fooling around again with converted fullbacks that had a penetration of a marshmallow. Laumape or as Aki has shown for Ireland, go forward is important in the centres. If it had been DMac - Aki- Aumua - Ioane- Telea- Jordan in France the final result would have been different.
4 Go to commentsDan Carter a apporté son professionnalisme, des méthodes de travail, un esprit qui manquaient à l’USAP. Son influence, même une fois blessé a été énorme. Et pour citer une anecdote, certains soirs il venait de lui-même à l’entraînement des jeunes pour dispenser ses conseils. On ne peut pas compter ce qu’il a apporté au club en heures de jeu sur le terrain. Est-ce que le club en a eu pour son argent ? Avec la publicité sur son nom et le titre, je suppose que oui.
1 Go to commentsThe SA sides are suffering from a bum rap here. There isn’t a side anywhere in the world that would do things differently in their shoes. They’ve been set up to fail in the EPCR comps by vested interests, with last minute intercontinental travel requirements that costs an arm and a leg to book in advance just on the possibility they might be required. And the total nonsense that denies any chance of home venues is entirely biased and absolutely unsporting. Either EPCR, the Top14 & the Gallagher Premiership get it sorted on a fair and equitable sporting basis for ALL participants or expect the ridicule to continue. Right now, these comps are a joke!
14 Go to commentsSA sides should do the right thing and leave the champions cup, they are lowering the standard with completely one sided games, not up to the right level. The greatest club tournament in the world is being banjaxed by the weak SA sides.
14 Go to commentsCouldnt agree more. SA sides need to show more committment and really have a go at the Champions Cup. Its quite possibly the most prestigious title in Europe and SA sides need to respect that prestige and serve up their best. EPCR needs to do more to ensure that sides from South Africa and sides travelling to and from SA have a better chance in this competition. The Bulls were put in a really difficult position of having to travel there and back in one week. One could argue that this is what the SA sides signed up for and that La Rochelle didnt complain or send out weakened sides despite having to travel to SA and back and play on successive weekends but surely the situation is also unfair on La Rochelle as well and so EPCR needs to think about successive gameweeks and the travel effect of the competition
14 Go to commentsI hadn’t watched much Canes this season but sat through a replay of that Chiefs game with no distractions. That pack is beastly. I really like the look of Iose. He loves the tough stuff. The first Quins clip may be the best I have even seen for a TH driving his opposite into oblivion. i need to take your word for the contribution of Walker, but Collier there with a straight back pushing up from under was a lovely thing to see. Have you fallen in love with Baxter also, Nick? I think Stuart Barnes may have written his column about him recently, naked. He positively frothed.
14 Go to commentsSmart guy. I wish he was running the RFU or something!
2 Go to commentsWhy Barrett, when Leinster already have at least 4 top centres.?
14 Go to commentsGood write up, Brett. Rebels are an interesting one for sure. 88 points scored in the last two games, but against two teams that are unlikely to be in the top 4 at seasons end. However the other side of the coin, against the Hurricanes, the team to beat atm, they conceded 54 points, and add in another 53 points to the then high flying Reds, and things don’t look so good. The acid tests will be against the Blues and the Chiefs. I do hope they do contest the finals this year, if only to confound those working on their demise. Les Kiss has made a big difference to the Qld. Reds, and they could so easily have now been sitting unbeaten at the top of the table. But they have now lost some games in a most disappointing fashion, and now step up against the Highlanders this weekend seriously depleted, four absolute key players down, two to suspension, two injured. Of the other Australian sides, the Brumbies look unlikely to fold to anyone any time soon, while the Waratahs and Force both disappoint. But still and all, winning games against the NZ sides is very welcome, and one would hope for more to come. Who will come out on top ? A North Island side for sure should contest the final, but I would hope an Australian side might just get there this year. Brumbies most likely, Qld. Reds could be formidable with a full team back on the field.
12 Go to commentsThe stat that illustrates some progress compared to recent years is that Aussie sides have won 5 of 12 games against Kiwi sides. The Tahs have lost 2 tight games against Kiwi sides, while the Reds and Tahs have contrasting experiences in games against Kiwi sides decided by that farcical thing called golden point.
12 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes pack has stepped up in a huge way this year. Their improvement at scrum time has been a big contributor to their success. Aumua looks like he is playing with a lot of confidence and put in a really good display at both set piece and in general play on Saturday. Him and Numia are putting in a good case for higher honours, A dominate combination with Lomax will help their case. And their loose forward depth is class. Iose has benefited from regular game time and Lakai has shown his versatility and promise. Thanks Nick. Hope all is well.
14 Go to commentsSamoa have enough former internationals who want to flick a switch for a country most have probably hardly set foot in. If you’re that passionate about Samoa, go live and play rugby there to qualify instead of just waltzing into the side and kicking a player actually from Samoa out of the squad. All these ex internationals hasn’t really made them that much more competitive because most look like they're going through the motions.
2 Go to commentsKini Naholo at 14 brings to memory Waisake.
1 Go to commentsGrace, much like Luke Jacobson, has never looked like the same player since his run of injuries. He also looked much better as a 6 than an 8. He still looks like he doesn't completely understand the position.
2 Go to commentsHe's probably most upset that Samoa are by all accounts finally considering limiting the amount of these kiwi and aussie players who collect their club money and just waltz into the squad on account of ‘heritage’. Never mind the fact a player actually from Samoa gets booted to make way for the supposed big names like constant complainer Sopoaga. He's hasn’t quite taken the king whiner title from another kiwi ‘samoan’ in Dan Leo, but he’s getting up there. Little wonder after a bad loss a few years ago the Samoan prime minister said the team played with no passion for the country. A side made up of actual samoan players would beat these formers ABs and Wallabies and their marriage of convenience Samoan team as they go through the motions more times than not.
3 Go to commentsAs an ex winger and 2nd rower for about 15 minutes, I do enjoy an article about scrummaging. The scrum in the 2nd gif looked dangerous. I just hope the dominance from the Canes prop was gained legally.
14 Go to comments