Fourteen current or ex-internationals set to star in sellout West Country derby
A host of ex-international players and a number of current ones are set to star as Bristol Bears and Bath Rugby get their Gallagher Premiership respective seasons underway this Friday.
Former – and likely future – England internationals Zach Mercer, Nathan Hughes, Charlie Ewels, Freddie Burns and Dave Attwood will all be on show in front of a record sell-out crowd of 26,399 at Ashton Gate.
The star power doesn’t stop there. Ex-All Blacks John Afoa, Steven Luatua and Charles Piutau all line out for Pat Lam’s Bristol Bears.
Welsh internationals Jamie Roberts (from the bench), Aled Brew and Rhys Priestland will also be togging out for Stuart Hooper’s charges as they look to kick on from their comeback win against Gloucester in the Premiership Cup last weekend.
Roberts returns after missing a chunk of pre-season in order to undertake Rugby World Cup media work with ITV.
Former Wallaby flyer Luke Morahan is set to feature, while current Samoa internationals Alapati Leiua and Chris Vui jump right back in after returning from Rugby World Cup duty in Japan.
“We’ve got 94% availability and that’s down to the excellent planning and preparation from our medical and strength & conditioning team,” says Pat Lam. “It’s been a productive pre-season and now we have to ensure we capitalise on Friday and celebrate that hard work.”
England back-rower Nathan Hughes arrived from Wasps in the summer as the Bears seek to build on last season’s encouraging ninth-placed finish after winning promotion from the Greene King IPA Championship.
“We can’t let the occasion take over yourself,” 28-year-old Hughes told the official Bristol club website.
George Ford's demotion from the England side to start versus Australia has sparked an online debate ahead of the quarter-final https://t.co/2KYNViEyG1
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 17, 2019
“You’ve got to prepare yourself mentally – it’s going to be a very big occasion for the club itself, in front of a big crowd.
“It’s important to start well. With the World Cup, it gives teams a chance to try and get that head start.
“For us, we’ve got big games. But I think if we can have a good start in this first block, we’ll put ourselves in a good position for the whole season.”
Bristol are hoping history repeats itself as the Bears laid the foundations for last season’s campaign by beating Bath in the opening round of fixtures at Ashton Gate.
? Team news
?? Last time out
? Form guide
? Word from the campsHere's everything you need to know ahead of Friday's @premrugby opener against @bathrugby at @ashtongatestad.
? https://t.co/urNIBE4xC4 pic.twitter.com/zG7KN9XJtk
— Bristol Bears (@BristolBears) October 17, 2019
“Everyone likes a derby game,” Hughes said.
“When I first signed for the club there was big talk about Bristol against Bath as the first game of the season, with Bristol winning.
“It’s exciting – it’s been a long pre-season and everyone has worked really hard for the start of a new campaign,” he said.
“Personally I’m looking forward to it, to go out there and start the season with a bang.
“Both teams have decided to have the Leicester 10s come on in the second-half"
– @mtoomua was in fine form at his #RWC2019 presserhttps://t.co/7E7nsLHZSD
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 17, 2019
“We want to be pushing those big teams and we want to make Ashton Gate a fortress. When teams come to Ashton Gate, we want them to be fearful of us.”
Bath finished sixth last season to qualify for the Heineken Champions Cup.
But Todd Blackadder’s three-year reign came to an end in May, with Stuart Hooper succeeding the New Zealander as director of rugby.
“The group are hungry, committed and determined to bring success,” former Bath forward Hooper said at his pre-match press conference.
Do the All Blacks have some tricks up their sleeves to deal with the increasingly common rush defence? https://t.co/AXyY5Nfnlw #RWC2019 #NZLvIRL
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 17, 2019
“I think throughout the whole year we just want to be growing.
“I am not ever satisfied with anything being left the same, we have got to develop it and grow it.
“The group of players we have got want to win things. They want to win things, they want to be in this game to win things.
“They don’t want to go into the competition thinking we are going to finish mid-table, they are going to go into it thinking we want to win it.
“I am not a huge believer in that word momentum, I think it is about the individual moments and delivering in those moments and if we do that we can get those performances and get the wins.”
Bristol Bears team
15. Charles Piutau; 14. Luke Morahan, 13. Piers O’Conor, 12. Will Hurrell, 11. Mat Protheroe; 10. Callum Sheedy, 9. Andy Uren; 1. Jake Woolmore, 2. Harry Thacker, 3. John Afoa, 4. Dave Attwood, 5. Joe Joyce, 6. Steven Luatua (c), 7. Dan Thomas, 8. Nathan Hughes.
Replacements: 16. Shaun Malton, 17. Yann Thomas, 18. Max Lahiff, 19. Chris Vui, 20. Jake Heenan, 21. Harry Randall, 22. Ioan Lloyd, 23. Alapati Leiua.
Unavailable: Jake Armstrong (thumb), Tom Lindsay (hamstring), Jordan Crane (back), Blake Boyland (ankle).
Bath Rugby team
15. Tom Homer; 14. Aled Brew; 13. Max Clark; 12. Max Wright; 11. Levi Davis; 10. Rhys Priestland; 9. Will Chudley; 1. Beno Obano; 2. Tom Dunn; 3. Christian Judge; 4. Josh McNally; 5. Charlie Ewels (c); 6. Mike Williams; 7. Tom Ellis; 8. Zach Mercer
Replacements: 16. Jack Walker; 17. Lewis Boyce; 18. Will Stuart; 19. Elliott Stooke; 20. Josh Bayliss; 21. Chris Cook; 22. Freddie Burns; 23. Jamie Roberts
– additional reporting PA
Comments on RugbyPass
Very unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to comments