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Bristol issue update on injured trio Sheedy, Radradra and Randall
By PA
Wales international Callum Sheedy is among a trio of big Bristol names set to miss the Gallagher Premiership top-of-the-table clash against Exeter on Friday. Fly-half Sheedy, centre Semi Radradra and scrum-half Harry Randall will all sit out the Chiefs’ visit to Ashton Gate.
Sheedy suffered a stinger-type injury after being tackled late on his left side during Bristol’s victory over Newcastle last weekend. “He had a scan, and fortunately there was nothing serious, but it might be a couple of weeks before Callum is back,” Bristol rugby director Pat Lam said.
“Semi hurt his ankle in that Bordeaux (Champions Cup) game. He is not far away. He would probably be back next weekend, but we don’t have a game so he should be ready for the Bath game (on May 8). Harry Randall did his AC (shoulder joint) after the Bordeaux game. He will play again this season, but certainly not for a couple of weeks.”
Premiership leaders Bristol are currently twelve points clear at the top, with Exeter in second, just ahead of Sale Sharks and Harlequins. They are within touching distance of confirming a play-off place and there appears every chance that Friday’s encounter could prove a dress rehearsal for the Premiership final at Twickenham in late June.
Lam added: “They [Exeter] are always a dangerous team. They are European champions, they are Premiership champions. They are the team. Rob (Baxter, the Exeter boss) has done a tremendous job. I was so pleased for them last season and what they achieved.
“Our full attention is on trying to get to the top of the Premiership mountain and these guys are the guys who have consistently been there for the past few years. Every game against them has pretty much (been decided by) one score. I am expecting much of the same – a really good battle, right to the wire.”
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John, McKenzie was 10 years ago and he only lasted 15 months until the disgustingly unfair affair that brought him down. I thought that if he didn't get another gig over Eddie V2 then he was done. I read that he had been approached but declined to put his name in the ring.
There are no potential Wallaby coaches outside of McKellar unless you have some inside info?
Go to commentsThe way they are defending is sometime pathetic to be honest. Itoje is usually on the inside of the rush and he is paired with a slower tight forward. Unable to keep up with the rush we have seen the line become disconnected on the inside where the big boys are. How many times have we seen Earl rush past the first receiver almost into no mans land covering no attacker. It looks like a system without any guidance. Tome Wright, Ikitau and a number of Wallabies went back to this soft centre as did Williams, Jordan and several others. Also when the line is broken the multiple lines of defence seems to be missing. The rush is predicated on a cover and recovery system with multiple lines of defence but with England you dont see it any more. Fitness and conditioning seems to be off as well as players are struggling to keep up with the intensity of the rush. Felix Jones has left a huge hole. The whole situation was and is a mess. Why they insist on not letting him go and having him work remotely is beyond me. Its leading to massive negative press and is a hot button issue thats distracting from the squad. Also the communication around Jones and his role has been absolute rubbish and is totally disjointed. While some say he is working remotely and playing a role others are saying theres been no contact. His role has not been defined and so people keep asking and keep getting different answers. England need a clean break from him and need to start over. Whatever reason for his leaving its time to cut the rope before the saga drags the whole Borthwick regime down. As for Joe El Abd well good luck to him. He is being made to look like an amateur by the whole saga and he is being asked to coach a system thats not his and which has been perfected and honed since 2017 by Nienaber, Jones, Erasmus and Co and which was first started by White in 2004. He is literally trying to figure out a system pioneered by double world cup winning coaches at the highest level and coach it at the same time. Talk about being on a hiding to nothing.
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