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Bristol make 6 changes to their XV for Challenge Cup final
By Online Editors
Pat Lam has made six changes to his Bristol side for Friday night's Challenge Cup final versus Toulon following last weekend's Gallagher Premiership semi-final loss at Wasps. Alapati Leiua (for Piers O'Conor) and Harry Randall (for Andy Uren) return to the backline while in the pack, Dave Attwood lines up against his former side with Dan Thomas, Yann Thomas and Kyle Sinckler also included.
Props Jake Woolmore and John Afoa, along with second row Joe Joyce, were all starters in Coventry. They now drop to the bench while Nathan Thomas misses out altogether with a rib injury. Earl moves to No8 to accommodate the inclusion of Thomas as Bristol look to win their first major silverware since 1983.
Although beaten 47-24 at the Ricoh Arena last Saturday in the English league last-four, Bristol go into the European final as the Challenge Cup's leading try scorers (38) and points scorers (302) from their eight matches to date.
“The thing that’s pleasing is it wasn’t the end last weekend. We get a chance to go again,” Bristol director of rugby Lam said. “There is a cup at the end of it and we all understand the enormity of the challenge, but we also understand what we have done to get here.
“Getting a trophy would be a significant boost for the club. If anything, coming off a game like last weekend, it gives you even more focus and clarity. This is the last time we plan on being in this competition. We will be in the Champions Cup next year - and hopefully every year after that.”
Toulon, meanwhile, have made also six changes to their side following last weekend's 25-21 Top 14 home win over Montpellier. Five of those changes are in the pack and include the recall of France captain Charles Ollivon to the back row.
BRISTOL: 15. Max Malins; 14. Luke Morahan, 13. Semi Radradra, 12. Siale Piutau, 11. Alapati Leiua; 10. Callum Sheedy, 9. Harry Randall; 1. Yann Thomas, 2. Harry Thacker, 3. Kyle Sinckler, 4. Dave Attwood, 5. Chris Vui, 6. Steven Luatua (capt), 7. Daniel Thomas, 8. Ben Earl. Reps: 16. George Kloska, 17. Jake Woolmore, 18. John Afoa, 19. Joe Joyce, 20. Jake Heenan, 21. Tom Kessell, 22. Piers O'Conor, 23. Niyi Adeolokun.
TOULON: 15. Gervais Cordin; 14. Bryce Heem, 13. Isaiah Toeava, 12. Duncan Paia'aua, 11. Gabin Villiere; 10. Louis Carbonel, 9. Baptiste Serin; 1. Jean Baptiste Gros, 2. Anthony Etrillard (capt), 3. Beka Gigashvili, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 5. Romain Taofifenua, 6. Charles Ollivon, 7. Raphael Lakafia, 8. Sergio Parisse. Reps: 16. Bastien Soury, 17. Florian Fresia, 18. Emerick Setiano, 19. Brian Alainu'uese, 20. Swan Rebbadj, 21. Julien Ory, 22. Tane Takulua, 23. Masivesi Dakuwaqa.
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It certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
Go to commentsHis best years were 2018 and he wasn't good enough to win the World Cup in 2023! (Although he was voted as the best player in the world in 2023)
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