1
The devastating XV Bristol Bears might field next season
Bristol Bears’ upwards trajectory over the past two years looks set to continue going forward, as they have already been the busiest team in the Gallagher Premiership ahead of next season. Their signings are not simply about adding depth to the squad, they are about adding world-class talent for head coach Pat Lam to work with.
ADVERTISEMENT
A ninth place finish in the league last season has been improved upon this campaign, with the Bears sitting in third place ahead of the suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Bristol can still hope for a successful end to the season if any rugby is to be played, but they are equipping themselves ahead of next September.
So this is what their starting XV could look like next season:
1 Yann Thomas
Lam has options next season in the front row, and Yann Thomas and Jake Woolmore are two who will battle it out at loosehead.
2 Harry Thacker
The former Leicester Tigers hooker Harry Thacker has been one of Bristol’s most consistent performers since arriving at Ashton Gate in 2018. Highly effective in the loose, the 26-year-old will be the custodian of the No.2 shirt next season as he strives for international honours.
Continue reading below…
3 Kyle Sinckler
One of the landmark signings ahead of next season, Kyle Sinckler will arrive in the West Country from Harlequins with the reputation of being one of the very best tightheads in the game currently. The England, and British and Irish Lions prop will not only bring brute force to a promising front row, but has a distributing game that very few can rival in his position.
ADVERTISEMENT
4 Dave Attwood
The former Gloucester, Bath and Toulon lock Dave Attwood always provides plenty of grit and firepower in the tight, and the 24-cap England international’s venom will be fundamental with so many exciting ball carriers in the squad.
5 Chris Vui
The big Samoan Chris Vui will be pivotal alongside Attwood in the engine room for Bristol next campaign. Able to play in the back row, Lam will hope his work around the field will help build some supremacy up front.
6 Steven Luatua
The former All Blacks loose forward Stephen Luatua is at the heart of everything good the Bears do under Lam. The captain seldom misses a game and very rarely has a bad performance, and will be part of a lethal ball-carrying back row next season.
ADVERTISEMENT
Continue reading below…
7 Ben Earl
Arriving on a season-long loan from the relegated Saracens next term, the recently capped international Ben Earl is one of England’s emerging talents. With scintillating pace and explosive power, he has been one of Saracens’ most potent runners over the past year, and has filled the void left by Billy Vunipola at No.8.
8 Nathan Hughes
The revitalised Nathan Hughes has been enjoying a wonderful season at Ashton Gate, and his move from Wasps last summer has paid off. Looking fitter and quicker than ever, still with no drop in power, the 20-cap England international will be looking to reclaim a place in Eddie Jones’ squad next season.
9 Harry Randall
The 22-year-old Harry Randall is one that is on the radar of Jones with England and is only improving in his second season with the Bears. The tempo the former England under-20 international plays with will be crucial next season in unleashing the outside backs.
10 Callum Sheedy
The Bears’ swashbuckling flyhalf Callum Sheedy has made the shirt his own this season, and has pulled the strings expertly. At only 24 years of age, his halfback partnership with Randall will continue to grow next season and onwards.
Able to play for either England, Wales or Ireland, next season may be the one in which Sheedy makes his Test bow.
Continue reading below…
11 Charles Piutau
The impact of signing Semi Radradra would have been diminished slightly had Charles Piutau not signed a new two-year deal in December. Now Bristol will probably have the two most dangerous outside backs in the league.
Capable of playing across the back three, the most important thing for Bristol is that they get the ball in Piutau’s or Radradra’s hands as much as possible.
12 Sam Bedlow
Having emerged at the back end of last season, 24-year-old Sam Bedlow has kicked on this season and will be part of this promising Bristol midfield over the coming years.
13 Semi Radradra
Arguably the most devastating ball carrier on the planet in the outside channels, Radradra is the flagship signing in the Premiership ahead of next season, as he arrives from Bordeaux-Begles.
The Fijian can cover outside centre or the wings but will be the player to watch in 2020/21 and could be the signing that makes the Bears a serious force across Europe.
Continue reading below…
Should Radradra be deployed on the wing next season, Piers O’Conor has proven this year to be an excellent option in the No.13 shirt as well.
14 Luke Morahan
With Alapati Leiua and Henry Purdy in the ranks, Lam has plenty of options with his wingers but the three-cap Wallaby Luke Morahan deserves to keep hold of his starting berth ahead of next season. However, players will need to remain at the top of their game to remain in the starting XV.
15 Max Malins
Another member of the cohort of Saracens players moving on loan for a season, Max Malins could provide some creativity and guile from fullback to match the undoubted class of this back line.
An operator in a No.15 shirt or at flyhalf, an extra ball player could prove to be invaluable for the Bears with so many running options in the forwards and backs.
Watch: Big Jim Hamilton’s hilarious response to riddle
Comments on RugbyPass
Some dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
1 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
7 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
43 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
7 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
7 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
7 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
7 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
7 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to comments