BRISTOL PREVIEW: PLEASE POST ALL MATCH RELATED COMMENTS HERE

After that incredible game on Sunday, the team face an even tougher assignment this weekend (and next). Although Bristol Bears have struggled a bit this season, a visit to Ashton Gate is never easy – especially when much of the squad has been summoned elsewhere. This week it’s more like trying to rustle up a team for Little Sodbury 3rds when the groundsman is hidden in the back row and the tea lady is playing scrum half. 

In addition to the England contingent, we loose the considerable talents of Theo McFarland (let’s face it he could probably take on The Bears on his own), Nick Tompkins (and boy did we miss him against Falcons), and Andy Christie along with Mawi, Pifeleti, De Haas, Wainwright and Bello. Thank goodness Marco Riccioni has turned down the chance to represent Italy this autumn as he recovers his fitness. He made a huge difference on Sunday.

The sick list gets ever longer with no signs of an early return for Segun or Isiekwe. Woolfie is still in a boot and targeting December as is Jamie. Return dates for Taylor, Morris, Harris, Adams-Hale, Davies and Crean seem to be covered by the Official Secrets Act. One tiny gleam of light is that Yoda has released Hugh Tizard and Max Malins. Andy Christie could also return if Scotland deem him surplus to requirements

Bears lost to Northampton Saints last weekend in a high scoring match which saw them score 4 tries. Bears will lose the not inconsiderable talents of A J MacGinty to the USA Eagles, Chris Vui to Samoa and Charles Piutau to Tonga. First choice front rowers Kyle Sinkler & Ellis Genge are already with England. Bears have a bit of a scrum half crisis with both Harry Randall and former Sarrie Tom Whitely injured.

So what sort of team will MMC put out? It seems like the backs pick themselves with Malins finally getting the chance to wear the 15 shirt (allegedly the reason he has opted to leave Sarries) allowing Daly to move to outside centre alongside Loz, Maitland and Lewington on the wings, and Goodey to 10 alongside Van Zyl. The front row looks like being Flynn, Dan (who really came of age last week) and Riccioni with Hunter Hill and Tizard at lock and Earl, Wray and Christie or Toby Knight in the back row. The bench will be very inexperienced of course but the young guys have to learn some time. Bears’ front row is also pretty inexperienced so if Marco can lead from the front and Theo Dan can build on last week, this could yet come out OK. Bears’ supporters are very negative about their team’s chances and are “expecting a hiding”. I think that’s going too far but any sort of win out of this one would be a result for our depleted squad.

Looks like the officials will also be on a learning curve: referee is Jack Makepeace (just his 14^th premiership game) supported by Mike Hudson & Peter Allan with TMO Adam Leal. We’ll be making the trip down the M4 (we went to Bristol last year – our first game back in the big time – and really enjoyed it). Can we make it 8 from 8? Before last weekend I would have said no but now I think we might just do it.