'The biggest shock was that were 19 positive tests in Sale's camp, that has to call into question the behaviour of the group'
Bristol boss Pat Lam hit out at Premiership Rugby’s decision to grant a postponement of Sale’s fixture against Worcester after seeing his side secure a place in next weekend’s play-offs.
The Bears brushed aside London Irish 36-7 to secure a bonus-point victory which, combined with Bath’s failure to beat Saracens, means Bristol are now assured of a play-off berth along with Exeter and Wasps.
It remains to be seen who will claim the last remaining spot, though, after Sale’s match against Worcester was called off after a number of the Sharks squad tested positive for coronavirus.
That match will now be played on Wednesday, subject to stringent retesting, and a Sale win would see them replace Bath in the top four.
Bristol director of rugby Lam said: “The biggest shock was that were 19 positive tests in their camp, not just one or two and that has to call into question the behaviour of the group.
“We have all made massive sacrifices in our life during this crisis and you would feel bad if you transmit this infection to your opponents so I have sympathy for my former club, Northampton, who had to cancel their fixture with Gloucester.”
Northampton withdrew from their match against Gloucester due to a number of Saints players self-isolating following Tuesday’s clash with Sale, with Gloucester being handed a 20-0 walkover win.
Lam added: “When I played with Newcastle, we won here in the final round of fixtures to secure the Premiership title and it’s always been the case that all the fixtures on the final day take place at the same time.
“I would now be getting back on the bus to start preparing for our semi-final opponents but I can’t do that until Wednesday evening as I don’t know who they will be.
“It’s crazy; none of us should be in this situation as a lot of clubs have been affected by this.”
Lam’s mood was undoubtedly tempered by his side’s qualification, which was not confirmed until news of Bath’s 17-17 draw at Saracens had come through with Bristol not securing their bonus-point target until four minutes were left on the clock.
The Sale Sharks DoR directly addressed reports overnight that club players partied it up after their Prem Cup win. https://t.co/CXuRtjPqAp
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 4, 2020
Semi Radradra, Ben Earl, Harry Thacker and Will Capon crossed for the Bears, who were also awarded a penalty try. Max Malins added the rest of Bristol’s points with a penalty and three conversions.
Irish could only respond with a second-half try from Ollie Hassell-Collins which Paddy Jackson converted.
Lam said: “We controlled the game well up until half-time, then for the 30 minutes afterwards, we did everything that we shouldn’t.
“We gave away soft penalties but we worked our way through it and came on strong at the end.
“After our bonus-point try, I watched Bath’s game on TV for the final minutes.
"Sale have claimed that they would have been able to field a team today. It’s fair to question how that can be the case when they have reportedly had 16 positive tests and operate with one of the smallest squads in the league"
– writes @AndyGoode10 ???https://t.co/AxT8wBcThq
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 4, 2020
“I’m extremely proud as we’ve reached our target in just a three-year period. Three years ago I was standing on Championship pitches but now we’ve reached a European final and a Premiership semi-final.
“It’s no fluke as we now expect to be in games that matter and finals on a regular basis.”
London Irish skipper Matt Rogerson felt his side contributed to their own downfall.
He said: “A few areas let us down especially inaccuracies and ill-discipline. That meant we were pinned down in our half and against a side as good as Bristol, it’s almost impossible to get out from there.
“We kicked a lot in the first half so we tried to keep the ball more in the second half. We put their defence under a bit of pressure but missed a couple of opportunities in their 22.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Lets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
10 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
10 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
34 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
34 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to comments