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Bristol Bears change eight for visit of Northampton Saints
By Online Editors
Bristol Bears have made eight changes to the side that earned a bonus point win victory over Worcester at Sixways as they go in search of back-to-back Gallagher Premiership wins when Northampton Saints visit in round 19 (KO 7.45pm).
Director of Rugby Pat Lam has brought Piers O’Conor and Alapati Leiua into the back three, while Andy Uren is also selected in the backline.
Siale Piutau is handed the captaincy for the Ashton Gate clash and is selected to start, subject to the outcome of Monday’s online independent disciplinary panel.
In the pack, Jake Woolmore and Harry Thacker are named in the front row, while Dave Attwood and Joe Joyce come into the second row. Chris Vui switches to blindside flanker, while Ben Earl returns to the starting line-up.
Chris Cook is listed among the replacements and could make his Bristol Bears debut if called upon.
15. Charles Piutau; 14. Piers O’Conor, 13. Semi Radradra, 12. Siale Piutau (c), 11. Alapati Leiua; 10. Callum Sheedy, 9. Andy Uren; 1. Jake Woolmore, 2. Harry Thacker, 3. Kyle Sinckler, 4. Dave Attwood, 5. Joe Joyce, 6. Chris Vui, 7. Ben Earl, 8. Nathan Hughes.
System players: 16. Will Capon, 17. Yann Thomas, 18. Peter McCabe, 19. Steven Luatua, 20. Dan Thomas, 21. Chris Cook, 22. Max Malins, 23. Luke Morahan.
Unavailable: Jake Armstrong (ankle), Max Lahiff (concussion), John Afoa (concussion), Harry Randall (knee laceration), Sam Bedlow (shoulder), Toby Fricker (groin).
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Latest Comments
The grandparent rule is a joke, it’s one generation too far.
And the residency rule should be extended to 7 years. I have no issue with a youth who moved to a new country and was developed as a player by his adopted country playing for that country after 7 year’s residency. He would still be 25 or younger when eligible and just entering his prime.
Additionally If you play U20 for a national team then that country developed you, paid for your development ,and should capture your international eligibility.
But this will never happen as Ireland, Scotland, and Wales would not be competitive if they could not bolster their national teams with Kiwis, South Africans, and Aussies.
Go to commentsWe had this conversation a year ago Nick, where I remember showing that throughout 2023 there was a pretty direct correlation between how much England kicked and how well they played. England had two decent performances in the WC kicking everything and defending, and they didn't play that way for the rest of 2023. In fact, England's worst games in 2023 came with Marcus Smith at 10.
A year ago I favoured England building on the gameplan that worked against Argentina and SA, with just minor adjustments. They didn't. They threw it away completely and went to an Irish style attack in the 2024 six nations. That went badly for the first few games, but came good in the end. At the end of the 6N I thought England should build on that gameplan with just minor adjustments. They didn't. They threw it away completely and went over to a Labit/Quins style attack for the rest of 2024 and it has been an unmitigated disaster. I think the personnel England have available are best suited for a return to the Irish style system, with the kick-heavy tactics retained as a backup.
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