Bristol Bears v Exeter Chiefs

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Exeter Chiefs:

15 Dan John

14 Paul Brown-Bampoe

13 Henry Slade

12 Will Rigg

11 Josh Hodge

10 Ben Coen

9 Tom Cairns


1 Will Goodrick-Clarke

2 Max Norey

3 Jimmy Roots

4 Dafydd Jenkins (c)

5 Christ Tshiunza

6 Martin Moloney

7 Richard Capstick

8 Greg Fisilau


Replacements:

16 Jack Yeandle

17 Scott Sio

18 Josh Iosefa-Scott

19 Lewis Pearson

20 Kane James

21 Niall Armstrong

22 Harvey Skinner

23 Ben Hammersley

Bears 38-20 Chiefs

Bristol Bears

15. Rich Lane,
14. Jack Bates,
13. Benhard Janse van Rensburg,
12. James Williams,
11. Kalaveti Ravouvou,
10. Harry Byrne,
9. Harry Randall,
1. Jake Woolmore,
2. Gabriel Oghre,m
3. George Kloska
4. James Dun,
5. Joe Owen,
6. Santiago Grondona,
7. Fitz Harding (c),
8. Viliame Mata.

System players:

16. Harry Thacker,
17. Ellis Genge
18. Max Lahiff,
19. Josh Caulfield ,
20. Steven Luatua,
21. Kieran Marmion,
22. Benjamin Elizalde
23. Siva Naulago

Match Officials

Referee: Karl Dickson
Assistant Referees: Richard Gordon and Calum Howard
TMO: David Rose

Weather Forecast as at 1200 Friday

Light clouds and light winds from the south southeast
Temperature: 13 degrees will feel like 12 degrees
Low chance of Precipitation

TV Coverage

Channel 408 TNT Sports 1 SD 1715-2000
Channel 430 TNT Sports 2 HD 1715-2000

Bears 46 Chiefs 17

Bristol 42 - 21 Exeter

No Ibitoye to run riot...hopefully we can sneak it...he says through rose tinted specs!

Glad to see we have mixed it up a bit and resting some for the more important game next week. I wouldn’t have played Jenkins as he must be knackered.

Business as usual i fear. Bears 45 Chiefs 17

With rose tinted glasses Brizz 26 - 32 Exe but I could be wrong!

Bristol 35 Chiefs 30. That's as optimistic as I can be.

Bears 35 - 24 Chiefs

Bristol 32 Chiefs 25

Bristol 44, Chiefs 26

Thrashing incoming I fear! We have a very inexperienced half back pairing who likely will be playing behind the gain line a bit! Bristol could be rusty and take us too lightly but I doubt it. I'm more optimistic about the future now, but feel this season is now just about getting some experience for some of our up and coming players. Bristol are capable of scoring points quickly so could get messy, that Bristol bench looks strong as well.
Briz 52 Chiefs 15 Really hope I'm wrong and we make a game of it.

Bears 48 Chiefs 21

Given it some thought. Moloney at 6 implies a jackal threat as we need to slow down Bristol's ruck-speed. Very inspired choice if he's allowed to do what put him on Rob's radar in the first place.

Still think Bristol (A) is a tall order, so...

Bristol 41 - 24 Chiefs.

#COYC

Cueto wasn't in touch, at least in my dreams.

Even my optimism is stretched for this one I'm afraid.

Hopefully we can get some decent ball to our back three for a couple of bonus points.

36 Bris - 27 Ex.

Is that squad selection based on the fact that there is now no relegation? Brizz 33 - 21 Chiefs.

Bristol 46 chiefs 19

Daffyd must be absolutely battered after the 6 Nations where he was a relentless workhorse in the most adverse circumstances. If I remember correctly he even played one of the fallow weeks? Remarkable if he can turn up and give 100% after that.

Think we will be outmuscled up front and hence will get very little go forward and slow ball. Interesting that all known leavers are excluded perhaps with no relegation it will be just a period of blooding some younger players. A very much mixed up team of academy, squad players and a few front liners.

Can’t see us getting anything out of the game points wise but you never know Bristol 48 Chiefs 14.

Bristol 48 Chiefs 17



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:03:21:19:23:32 by Chief Fire Water.

Bears 35 Chiefs 21

I'm interested to see how playing pretty much your full Premiership XV/23 through the PRC pays out.
At the very least you should be much more in synch and match ready than Bears.

Quote:

PaulHerox
I'm interested to see how playing pretty much your full Premiership XV/23 through the PRC pays out.
At the very least you should be much more in synch and match ready than Bears.

The trouble is, I'm not sure that anyone really knows what our "full Premiership XV/23" actually is.

Least of all the coaches....

Quote:

PaulHerox
I'm interested to see how playing pretty much your full Premiership XV/23 through the PRC pays out.
At the very least you should be much more in synch and match ready than Bears.

We haven’t got a team of great experience so we had to play those we played, we will not be in anymore sync than Bears, we are missing some reliable and good players now.
Pleased to see Dan John playing imho he, Wyatt and Skinner should be our regular 15s

The positives: Here's a look at next year's squad. They cannot do anything but prove themselves and stake a claim for their shirt. We've been calling for changes ... I've no idea how the same posters can now comment on youth, inexperience, fresh partnership, etc. Give them the chance to shake things up. I hope they do well - heart over head: Brizz 30 : Chiefs 34

In Rob we trust.
By the way - cream on first. There's nothing to debate.

I like the selection apart from Capstick at 7 however can't see us getting close. Bears 42 Ex 24

Bears 39 Chiefs 18

Brizz 38 chiefs 19 cant see a positive as Bristol are fresh. at home. and have a strong bench.

We've had 2 statement away wins tonight. Who's to say that it won't go on tomorrow?

Can't see us getting any points from this fixture alas.

Bristol will be rusty and seem to be fantastic on the road but a bit flakey at home. Bristol 34 Chiefs 27.

Bears 36 Chiefs 24

Wow wow wow. Very happy with how we approached this. What a difference in approach and spirit.

Not the result we wanted, but a very spirited display. Hard to understand why we failed to find the space after the red card, but to score 6 tries away at Brizz can't be all bad.

In Rob we trust.
By the way - cream on first. There's nothing to debate.

Great post match interview by Rob Hunter .. great game and proof that the dressing room isn’t lost .
Work to do but a LBP away is a great starting point .

A lot of self inflicted wounds by our team, but being low on confidence which we must be is understandable. Its taken a fare few years and money but Bristol look the real deal but a team with a more resilient defence would have not made it so easy.
There are positives and we did well to score our tries, well done Bristol ( that’s hard for me to say) the future for us is brightening and away bp is good

A few random thoughts on tonight’s match.
It was a great match to attend and my ears are still ringing!
We badly need a good 9 - let’s hope Stephen Varney shapes up well.
When Harvey Skinner came on it was plain to see that he is clearly our best 10 - he has to start against Newcastle.
Wouldn’t it be nice if Richard Capstick could offload the ball.
Perhaps it would be a good idea to work on our kick-off receipts.
I’d love us to emulate some of the Bristol centres’ moves.
It was all too plain to see that Dan John hasn't played much rugby recently.
Where have we been hiding Martin Moloney all season?!
A 5m line out against a team that’s missing two of its backs - maybe it would have been a better idea to spin the ball wide rather than getting mauled into touch?!
The guys never gave up!

Never thought I’d say this, but please play Harvey at 10 next week as whilst only cameos has proved he’s probably the best fly half at present. No doubting Coen has a lot of talent he’s simply not ready at this level and feel a bit sorry for him being chucked in with a lot of hype. Never played any senior rugby and missed a lot of tackles and really needs to develop on loan I feel but it appears Exeter may be throwing all their eggs in here after a couple of good games for 20’s behind a dominant pack.

Yes the Hunter post match iv was a good watch, it’s clear he has his own views on our shortcomings and how these are going to be addressed. I think he will change a lot in terms of attacking play, more running, offloading and less kicking. Clearly, defensively we are soft, gifting away so many tries largely by individual errors plus we lack the size and power from short range.
However, for so many getting their first starts of the season plus some their debut’s for the first team we did ok from an attacking perspective. We looked a bit clunky with the ball but that is expected and we did leave a few points out there. The last play why not call an 8 man line out and get the ball out to the backs as you will have a two man overlap against 13 men ! Anyway pleased with a lbp with so many changes.
Congratulations to Ben and Kane for getting their first taste of senior rugby. Thought Daf was immense for us again getting better every game.
One sad point was the booing of the ref when he sent off Grondona, it was a dreadful and dangerous challenge, why are people so disrespectful and ignorant it’s like a football crowd at times.
Bristol the better side and fully deserved the win but I just don’t see them winning anything with such a porous defence but who knows it will be a good watch.

Given that we were just one play away from 2 bp’s it’s harsh to be too critical. I actually enjoyed the bizarre first 20 mins and whilst both teams seemingly had agreed not to compete at restarts it was excellent entertainment.
Really pleased to see us attack from all areas. To think we scored 6 tries in a game and PBB not getting one of them was not a pre match prediction!
Sladey going off didn’t help our D, tho before he left we were being carved up in midfield.
Coen in defence struggled . G-C struggled as did Blose in set piece, then Yenz came on and threw in!!!
Hodge a better wing than 15; where has Moloney been hiding; Skinner maybe a 15………and thank god Varney has signed.
Tshuinza had his best game and Daf was just …..Daf.
Rigg questioned why he’s featured so rarely and Kane James did enough to excite us for his future.
All in all , an expected defeat but many plus points.

Quote:

Andy15.1
One sad point was the booing of the ref when he sent off Grondona, it was a dreadful and dangerous challenge, why are people so disrespectful and ignorant it’s like a football crowd at times.
Bristol the better side and fully deserved the win but I just don’t see them winning anything with such a porous defence but who knows it will be a good watch.

The booing was not for the red card. It looked like a knock on in the build up to the try and the images shown on the big screen did not help. Watching the game again when getting home, it was not a knock on but in real time it looked like it. As for the red. Yes definitely a red, however describing it as a dreadful and dangerous tackle is a bit silly. Clearly the Exeter player changed direction just before impact, the Bristol player did not reset himself and so was in a bad position. Dreadful and dangerous? No. Against the current laws yes.

A great game, the first 20 minutes were mad. Both teams going for it and neither being able to take a restart.

Your young lads looked really good today. I get what Rob was doing today and I think your future looks bright with the young players coming through and the signings you have made.

Quote:

Andy15.1
Yes the Hunter post match iv was a good watch, it’s clear he has his own views on our shortcomings and how these are going to be addressed. I think he will change a lot in terms of attacking play, more running, offloading and less kicking. Clearly, defensively we are soft, gifting away so many tries largely by individual errors plus we lack the size and power from short range.
However, for so many getting their first starts of the season plus some their debut’s for the first team we did ok from an attacking perspective. We looked a bit clunky with the ball but that is expected and we did leave a few points out there. The last play why not call an 8 man line out and get the ball out to the backs as you will have a two man overlap against 13 men ! Anyway pleased with a lbp with so many changes.
Congratulations to Ben and Kane for getting their first taste of senior rugby. Thought Daf was immense for us again getting better every game.
One sad point was the booing of the ref when he sent off Grondona, it was a dreadful and dangerous challenge, why are people so disrespectful and ignorant it’s like a football crowd at times.
Bristol the better side and fully deserved the win but I just don’t see them winning anything with such a porous defence but who knows it will be a good watch.

There were a lot of travellers to the match due to some offers available (lots of costumes on groups from afar). It's a possible reason for the booing although nobody close to me in the Dolman were booing, just a bit confused with the decision. I, personally, didn't think it was a straight red based on similar instances against us and the dynamics leading up to and including the collision but we do have to protect players so understandable. Worn out watching the match, at least it's better than watching a kickfest.
All the best for the rest of the season.

Good to see we have started to build a team for next season, but the same problems are still there

1, apart from Kane James we dont have any ball carriers who stay on their feet long enough and go forward

2, brains, we have a lineout against 13 men but keep the ball in and get push into touch, still dont have a captain

3, we dont know how we want to defend, we dont chop tackle and play 2 jacklers like Quinns and we dont tackle high and stay on our feet like Saracens and France. Our line is getting beat in the middle of the field and out wide, we our like headless chicken. Slade and Hodge both make tackles long after the ball as gone

Good to see we have started to build a team for next season, but the same problems are still there

1, apart from Kane James we dont have any ball carriers who stay on their feet long enough and go forward

2, brains, we have a lineout against 13 men but keep the ball in and get push into touch, still dont have a captain

3, we dont know how we want to defend, we dont chop tackle and play 2 jacklers like Quinns and we dont tackle high and stay on our feet like Saracens and France. Our line is getting beat in the middle of the field and out wide, we our like headless chicken. Slade and Hodge both make tackles long after the ball as gone

According to TRP, Rob plans to use our Under 20 players going forwad. Coen and James have had game time and Allison, Ridl, Lilley, Gulley and Beckerleg are set to be in the mix.

Quote:

mommentum
Good to see we have started to build a team for next season, but the same problems are still there
1, apart from Kane James we dont have any ball carriers who stay on their feet long enough and go forward Rusi Tuima does this and is a better all-round player than Capstick. He needs game time imo

2, brains, we have a lineout against 13 men but keep the ball in and get push into touch, still dont have a captain. Agreed. This has been a problem for a couple of seasons and I wonder if it's a consequence of players having to follow the game plan.

3, we dont know how we want to defend, we dont chop tackle and play 2 jacklers like Quinns and we dont tackle high and stay on our feet like Saracens and France. Our line is getting beat in the middle of the field and out wide, we our like headless chicken. Slade and Hodge both make tackles long after the ball as gone

We seem to be stuck between rush and drift D. Need a reset in this aspect.

It's taken me a while to process that! The first half hour was bonkers! It was like both teams were part of a betting scam, how many dropped restarts in twenty mins!
I didn't expect anything from the game, even less after the first briz try, but the red card gave me hope! Sadly, we couldn't make our numerical advantage pay. I think if we'd kept Henry on the pitch we might have done it.
On the whole though I'm happy with that, a very inexperienced side who can grow together. If they play with freedom then they may well enjoy their rugby more, step up on the socials as well and we may have a young group who bond and develop together.
A few coaching work ons, restarts and defensive systems should be right at the top!
Would agree we lack some big carriers, also, that we seem to be the only team who don't jackel! I would also be tempted to play rus at eight again, we don't have a Dave Ewers to balance out on a lighter eight.

Well that was utterly bonkers, our defence was hopeless and maybe we could have turned it round given that Briz had a man down but still a massive step up from the Prem Cup final.

No promotion or relegation so we can expect these sorts of games now. I don't regard them as entertainment, more pantomime. I'll get my coat!

Given how few bonus points we have won this season combined with the lack of jeopardy, its probably no bad this to focus on our attack even if it is at the expense of conceded tries.