Bristol v Bath Fri, Jan 29th (7.45pm KO):

[jimKRFC]

Bristol team:
15. Charles Piutau; 14. Luke Morahan, 13. Semi Radradra, 12. Piers O’Conor, 11. Henry Purdy; 10. Ioan Lloyd, 9. Andy Uren;

1. Jake Woolmore, 2. Bryan Byrne, 3. John Afoa, 4. Dave Attwood, 5. Chris Vui, 6. Steven Luatua (c), 7. Dan Thomas, Nathan Hughes.

Subs: 16. Will Capon, 17. Yann Thomas, 18. Jake Armstrong, 19. Ed Holmes, 20. Jake Heenan, 21. Tom Kessell, 22. Callum Sheedy, 23. Alapati Leiua.

Unavailable: Harry Thacker, Kyle Sinckler, Pete McCabe, Max Lahiff, Joe Joyce, Ben Earl, James Dun, Harry Randall, Siva Naulago, Max Malins.

Bath:
15. Tom de Glanville, 14. Ruaridh McConnochie, 13. Jonathan Joseph, 12. Josh Matavesi, 11. Gabriel Hamer-Webb, 10. Rhys Priestland, 9. Ben Spencer;

1. Juan Schoeman, 2. Tom Dunn, 3. Christian Judge, 4. Josh McNally (C), 5. Elliott Stooke, 6. Josh Bayliss, 7. Miles Reid, 8. Zach Mercer

Replacements: 16. Jack Walker, 17. Jamie Bhatti, 18. Henry Thomas, 19. Mike Williams, 20. Taulupe Faletau, 21. Will Chudley, 22. Cameron Redpath, 23. Joe Cokanasiga

Bath look so much better on paper than they perform, Bristol have a decent record against (think we've won 3 of the last 4) and a strong Bristol side. I suspect we'll lose (particulary of I watch it)...

[FKAS]

Some impact on that Bath's bench.

Struggling to see past a Bristol win unless Bath can take control of the game away from young Lloyd and get into his face early.

[fivepointer]

Live rugby returns!
Bris on a bit of a roll before the break. Will they be able to pick up where they left off?
Quite looking forward to finding out.

[Raggs]

Bath have lost a ludicrous number of players, but still have no semblence of what could be called a defence. It's not just disorganised, but they're not putting in the hits. Except for Fiji Joe absolutely smashing Hughes into touch as he nearly scored in the corner.

[Scrumhead]

Yep. Bristol have played well but they’re literally waltzing through the Bath ‘defence’.

[twitchy]

This is a massacre.

[padprop]

I just don't get it, this bath backline wouldn't look out of place as a 6N team, yet just horrific defence for a while now.

[Raggs]

I just don't get it, this bath backline wouldn't look out of place as a 6N team, yet just horrific defence for a while now.

Think that makes it pretty clear myself. It's not the players.

[Raggs]

I like that call from Barnes, it is just about high, but the initial legal impact is what puts him into touch.

[Mellsblue]

POC for England.

[FKAS]

POC for England.

We don't select inside centres. Come on you know this.

[Oakboy]

POC for England.

Just realised he IS English. Why is he not in the 28?

[FKAS]

POC for England.

Just realised he IS English. Why is he not in the 28?

As English as someone born in Australia and who played for Ireland at age grade can be. He's a really good player but Eddie doesn't pick inside centres we either play Farrell or Manu a 10 or a 13 there. His versatility could be a selling point but that doesn't help Luke or Sam James.

[Mellsblue]

Has Dallaglio lost a bet?!?!?!?

[Spiffy]

POC for England.

POC/Radradra are the best centre pairing in the league. Refreshing to see midfielders run the ball with pace, skill, power and intelligence and score tries for fun, and defend well too. Given those attributes, poor old POC will not be getting a call from Eddie anytime soon as long as he has Farrell to cock it up at 12.

[fivepointer]

O'Conor was excellent. Been very good for a while now. Had the passing and running game, but has now matured into a very good defender.
Attwood is having a great run and pretty much every other Bristol player is right on top of their game.
Bath...oh dear. That was lamentable. They looked disjointed and disinterested for most of the match.

[twitchy]

Is this a coach killer game?

[TheNomad]

POC for England.

Just realised he IS English. Why is he not in the 28?

He should be. Really good all round 12.

Should get a go

[jimKRFC]

POC for England.

As he said in the build up - owes it all to Bedford!

Really enjoyed that despite Bris dropping off badly in the last 20 minutes.

Couldn't believe Semi's try - just where was the defence? Uren had a great game and showed that it's not all about Randell.

[Mellsblue]

POC for England.

As he said in the build up - owes it all to Bedford!

Really enjoyed that despite Bris dropping off badly in the last 20 minutes.

Couldn't believe Semi's try - just where was the defence? Uren had a great game and showed that it's not all about Randell.

Missed the build up! Did he really say that or are you winding me up?!?!?

[jimKRFC]

POC for England.

As he said in the build up - owes it all to Bedford!

Really enjoyed that despite Bris dropping off badly in the last 20 minutes.

Couldn't believe Semi's try - just where was the defence? Uren had a great game and showed that it's not all about Randell.

Missed the build up! Did he really say that or are you winding me up?!?!?

Wasn't fully listening, the puppy was chewing my feet, but definitely spoke about being there helping him get better as a player.

[Mellsblue]

As he said in the build up - owes it all to Bedford!

Really enjoyed that despite Bris dropping off badly in the last 20 minutes.

Couldn't believe Semi's try - just where was the defence? Uren had a great game and showed that it's not all about Randell.

Missed the build up! Did he really say that or are you winding me up?!?!?

Wasn't fully listening, the puppy was chewing my feet, but definitely spoke about being there helping him get better as a player.

That is very cool. Mike Rayer knows how to do at least two things at an elite level: coach up backs and all day drinking sessions.