Bristol prepare for their Irish preseason tour

Won't feature
By Duncan Wood
August 9 2002

Bristol are ready to begin their preseason preparations and are set for the Emerald Isle. Peter Thorburn is taking a sensible approach, however, and not risking all his top line players just yet.

The team departs shortly for the preseason tour of Ireland with games lined up against Munster, Connacht and Leinster.

Peter Thorburn will obviously be taking these games serioulsy as he gets the first opportunity of the summer to see his players in competitive action. However, he will not be able to read too much into the games and the results.

The games will, more than likely, take a slightly unorthodox shape. In past preseasons, we have seen friendly matches consiting of 3 thirds of 30 minutes each rather than the traditional 2 halves of 40 minutes each. There will probably also be substitutions galore.

Also, according to this morning's Western Daily Press, several Bristol players will be travelling but not taking part in the match action. This includes the likes of Felipe Contepomi and Agustin Pichot who are being given a bit of extra recovery time after their gruelling summer. Alex Brown and Julian White will not be risked after their recent ankle operations.

It's a sensible approach. The Argentinians in particular had a tough time at the end of the season playing three Tests on two different continents when a lot of their team mates were unwinding.

Consider also that Leinster will be missing some key players as Ireland are holding a training camp and that Bristol will also be supplying some players for the Middlesex Sevens and you quickly come to the conclusion that it's not going to be a case of the strongest starting XVs facing off. Leinster and Bristol will also be keen not to give too much away ahead of their Heineken Cup clashes this season.

So, there's plenty that can be learned and it will certainly be a valuable team building exercise. However, don't get too hung up about the results - it's one small step on a long road...