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01:05

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14:35

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14:35

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14:45

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14:45

Friday

22:35

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01:05

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03:35

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07:45

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08:00

WOMENS

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08:30

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10:00

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10:00

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10:00

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10:05

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10:30

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Gallagher Premiership

Bristol lose England international shortly before Leicester clash

By Josh Raisey

326 days ago

Bristol Bears' Max Malins during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Bristol Bears and Exeter Chiefs at Ashton Gate on December 29, 2023 in Bristol, England. (Photo by Bob Bradford - CameraSport via Getty Images)

Bristol Bears fullback Max Malins has been forced out of his side’s clash with Leicester Tigers at Welford Road today.

The 27-year-old was originally scheduled to start at fullback for the high-flying Bears, but Bristol confirmed his withdrawal with less than two hours to go before taking on the Tigers.

Malins was on the scoresheet last week in Bristol’s resounding 85-14 win over Newcastle Falcons, which saw them climb into the top four of the Gallagher Premiership.

The 22-cap England international has been replaced by Rich Lane in the starting line-up, who was originally set to start on the bench. Piers O’Conor has been drafted into the matchday squad to fill Lane’s place among the substitutes.

Fixture

Gallagher Premiership

Leicester

19 - 21

Full-time

Bristol

All Stats and Data

Updated Bristol Bears XV: 15. Rich Lane, 14. Siva Naulago, 13. Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 12. James Williams, 11. Gabriel Ibitoye, 10. AJ MacGinty, 9. Harry Randall; 1. Ellis Genge, 2. Gabriel Oghre, 3. Kyle Sinckler, 4. James Dun, 5. Joe Batley, 6. Steven Luatua, 7. Fitz Harding (c), 8. Magnus Bradbury.
Replacements: 16. Harry Thacker, 17. Jake Woolmore, 18. Max Lahiff, 19. Josh Caulfield, 20. Jake Heenan, 21. Kieran Marmion, 22. Virimi Vakatawa, 23. Piers O’Conor.

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 18 minutes ago

All Black returns to Crusaders bench for Blues derby

So true. Crusaders have 2 fine half backs now and both deserve game time. Crusaders this year almost have a plethora of talent across the board and the injury problems of last year are not as bad and appear to have transferred to other squads.

7 Go to comments

Cantab 25 minutes ago

All Black returns to Crusaders bench for Blues derby

The Crusaders wingers were aided by a blinder from Ennor of course. Fihaki is more than adequate as a replacement winger and Springer is still on the bench. Could it be that Fihaki is there to resolve the woeful goal kicking that the Crusaders showed initially last week????

7 Go to comments

Cantab 32 minutes ago

All Black returns to Crusaders bench for Blues derby

Nothing would delight the Crusaders more than to add to bitter rivals the Blues run of losses. Given the return of several players for the Crusaders and the loss of key injured players for the Blues that is on the cards despite the home advantage. Karma would suggest that is the reversal of fortunes from last year.

7 Go to comments

SC 1 hour ago

All Black returns to Crusaders bench for Blues derby

What a ridiculous decision by Rob Penny, who I have never criticized before, for selecting Chay Fihaki over Mecca Springer.

In his previous starts, Fihaki has been good but not outstanding and certainly he is not someone with the runs on the board, like say Will Jordan, who you would restore automatically to the starting lineup after having a week off.

Springer played far better in last week’s match than Fihaki has in any of his matches this season and earned the right to continue to start until their is a decline in his performance.

7 Go to comments

mused 1 hour ago

Can 'Tongan Thor' rediscover his strength before the Lions arrive?

TT was in his best form when he played for QLD. RA effed up by sending him to NSW when the rebels folded. McKellar hasn’t helped his case by fielding underpowered locks and porecki inside him is a spud.

13 Go to comments

JM 1 hour ago

Can 'Tongan Thor' rediscover his strength before the Lions arrive?

It’s frustrating for sure. He has had a quiet season, but even then you see some scrums and breakdown turnovers from him that are so effortless.

He definitely looks fitter. Maybe it won’t be until he gets into camp and has the competition/tough love from Alan Alaatoa and some of the other islander boys.

On the GBRNZA podcast he had a great interview, spoke about Cron keeping it simple for him. Whereas preseason for the Tahs there was talk about focussing him on technique and practising that to get in shape/improve. Maybe that sucks the interest out of it? Just focus on playing to his instincts. How do you balance that?

13 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 1 hour ago

Can 'Tongan Thor' rediscover his strength before the Lions arrive?

Very topical article, Nick. I had a bit of discussion on Tupou’s performance a few days ago on another article and wrote: “Tupou,….….he would be the most disappointing player I have seen emerge in my time in Australia, now 37 yrs. He would have been rated by many in the top 3 TH group in the world 4/5 yrs ago. Now I doubt if he would even be in the top 10. I would not even rate him as a great scrummager atm. Really is so sad, as he can show such great ball handling skills as well.”

Jeznez(you may recall him from “the other site”, lot of scrummaging expertise) challenged me on my not rating him as a scrummager based on this season’s games…..I still have to go back and look at footage I have not seen, as I may be speaking unfairly there.

But I stand strong on my overall comment, and your first clip, from WB’s v Boks, is like being doused in freezing cold water, when looking at how TT is playing right now. I would see Nongorr as a better choice for the WB’s now.

It is maddening to think of where this big prop should be. He was once in the same bracket as Furlong and Malherbe. I even recall once commenting on one of your articles that he was perhaps the best in world…you put me right by mentioning all the qualities Tadgh Furlong had.

Not long to go now till Lions come……would have real concerns Tupou won’t be there.

13 Go to comments

dw 1 hour ago

Can 'Tongan Thor' rediscover his strength before the Lions arrive?

Schmidt already has achieved a win at Twickenham. The boys wouldn’t have had the belief to win there under your Randwick mate Eddie.

13 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 1 hour ago

Can 'Tongan Thor' rediscover his strength before the Lions arrive?

Gleeson. Your “bete noire” Schmidt won’t look at him, OJ. Not good, and for me shades of Schmidt ignoring a couple of key players for Ireland at RWC 2019. He has weaknesses, imo…Schmidt ofc, not Gleeson. Gleeson may well develop into a Smua type player, not world class, but a man you want to have in your 30 or so players for the big games.

13 Go to comments

dw 1 hour ago

Can 'Tongan Thor' rediscover his strength before the Lions arrive?

Thanks Nick. My only concern is after being blasted for that performance he may turn up angry against the Brumbies this Saturday…

But overall yes it is really concerning. One of the journos pointed out he is the highest paid forward in Oz. Mackellar stated before the season that you have to get him to enjoy his rugby to get the best out of him. Any ideas how to do that? The 2021 clip suggests he was fitter and keener. Is it possible his body is struggling..

Anyway yes Uru seems the pick at 6. The force keep picking Williams at 4 not 6. Would you drop Harry Wilson Or Bobby V for the wallabies 8?

13 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 2 hours ago

Can 'Tongan Thor' rediscover his strength before the Lions arrive?

Can see why you have doubts about Harry Wilson, J. However, I do see signs of him moving towards a Vermeulan style 8th man. Strong carries from deep runs, but still tends to lose the ball in contact. His work in tandem with McReight is a big factor in his favour. What I would be interested to see is a starting backrow of McReight, Wilson and Uru, Valetini the power carrier of the bench around 50 min mark.

13 Go to comments

OJohn 2 hours ago

Can 'Tongan Thor' rediscover his strength before the Lions arrive?

Too funny 😀

13 Go to comments

PT 2 hours ago

Can 'Tongan Thor' rediscover his strength before the Lions arrive?

You are the biggest d head on this site by a country mile. Why don't you take your petulant & pathetic anti kiwi bs & stick it up your fu¢king ar$e

13 Go to comments

OJohn 3 hours ago

Can 'Tongan Thor' rediscover his strength before the Lions arrive?

You need at least two great players in each position.

Being McReight or Reimer at 7

Valentini or Uru at 6

Cale or Wilson at 8 - all 4 of these players could probably interchange.

We have phenomenal depth with some fantastic back up players like Champion De C and Tom Hooper who provides great utility value and is playing outstandingly well. Tizzano as well. Gleeson maybe.

13 Go to comments

Head high tackle 3 hours ago

'France may leave top players at home but will still be serious contenders in New Zealand'

Yes it was just written as a joke but Ireland beating NZ certainly put a target on them. I was desperate for NZ to play Ireland come 1/4 final time and it was definately one of the sweetest wins for some time. The most pleasure is gained when the opposition publicly disrespects you and Ireland players did that. Revenge was sooooo sweet.

Maybe you are right. Maybe all teams should just send B teams for every test match now, just in case the opposition gain IP.

The one clear thing from watching French world cup squads is that they argue with each other when in a touring type situation. Thats because they arnt used to being on tour together. Thats their failing and probably a decent part of why France dont win world cups.

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BC 3 hours ago

Mia Venner on 'rollercoaster ride' back into Red Roses contention

I don’t dispute that Venner has become a very good player and wish her all the best, I just think she is not at Red Rose standard. Unfortunately for her, with MacDonald in the mix, as well as Dow and Breach as current wingers, that standard is world class. To be a Red Rose in any position you have to be pretty well world class.

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Katherine Ingram 3 hours ago

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James 3 hours ago

Can 'Tongan Thor' rediscover his strength before the Lions arrive?

I like the sound of an Uru, Bobby V, Fraser back row. Wilson seems a bit underpowered at test level.

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Spew_81 3 hours ago

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Will Jordan on the left wing?

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