ECC Final - Toulon v Bristol, Friday 20.00

[Puja]

Toulon getting away with murder at the breakdown. Hands beyond the ball constantly, no release, not rolling away. Brace ignoring it all.

Agreed - some ridiculous decisions in that second quarter, not least ruling out a belting try by Joyce (and, even *if* you were to say that pass was forward, it needed to go back for the Toulon player clotheslining Radradra).

Bristol adapted brilliantly to win it in the second half. Just excellent play, with the highlight being the defensive set that started 5m out, went to half a metre from the line and then was pushed right back out to the 22 before turning it over.

Malins and Randall both put in very impressive auditions for England selection - Malins especially with his positioning and security in claiming high kicks and kicks through. Hope Eddie got a copy of the game.

Puja

[WaspInWales]

Well done Brizzle! [emoji122][emoji122][emoji122][emoji122][emoji122]

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[jimKRFC]

Never realised how stressful it is watching your side in a Cup final... Thought they'd blown it at one point & had to send the kids to bed as I getting wound up.

Roll on next season!

P.s: glad it wasn't me being one eyed about the ref.

[WaspInWales]

The ref was one eyed in the first half...I stopped watching but followed the score, so not sure how he was in the final 40.

Credit to Bristol though. They play a lovely brand of rugby.

Deserved champions!

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[padprop]

Was amazed by the amount of touches thacker had, must be the most from a hooker in years! Special player but you can see why it would be difficult for him at international level with some of those choke tackles

[Puja]

Was amazed by the amount of touches thacker had, must be the most from a hooker in years! Special player but you can see why it would be difficult for him at international level with some of those choke tackles

2 inches taller and another stone heavier and he'd've been the England hooker for the last 5 years. Mind, probably wouldn't be the player he is if he hadn't been so small for a hooker. Can't believe that he's never played either for or against the Barbarians - you'd've thought that'd be the absolute perfect game for him.

Puja

[fivepointer]

Impressive stuff from Bristol. Took control after h/t and won handsomely. Big performances from Malins and Randall, and in particular Earl. Thacker was terrific too.
Pat Lam continues to do a great job.

[Oakboy]

Malins is looking the real deal - sort of a Mike Brown + an extra yard of pace, passing ability and a rugby brain.

[Mikey Brown]

Malins is looking the real deal - sort of a Mike Brown + an extra yard of pace, passing ability and a rugby brain.

Funny that he has now been compared to both Goode and myself on here. I think it’s a good thing though, he’s got a lot of skills, and if he’s got the temperament to hack it he has the kind of pace that can make a real difference at test level, rather than just being Goode/Brown +1.

[Shiny]

Malins is looking the real deal - sort of a Mike Brown + an extra yard of pace, passing ability and a rugby brain.

Funny that he has now been compared to both Goode and myself on here. I think it’s a good thing though, he’s got a lot of skills, and if he’s got the temperament to hack it he has the kind of pace that can make a real difference at test level, rather than just being Goode/Brown +1.

It’s certainly done the lad a world of good being taken out the Saracens system where he was third choice FB behind Goode and Williams and put into Brizzle where (due to injury to Piutau) he is getting lots of good game time.

[twitchy]

Well done bris.