Bristol Bears look for revenge against reigning Champions

Bristol Bears look to avenge last season’s record-breaking Semi-Final loss to Harlequins when they host the champions on Sunday.

Bristol held a 28-0 lead as half-time approached before a second-half demise saw the game head to extra time, in which Pat Lam’s side fell short in one of the most dramatic Premiership Semi-Final’s of all time.

The 28-point deficit was the highest a team had come from behind to win a premiership game, surpassing the previous record, which was 26 points, also set last season when Wasps turned around a mammoth deficit at London Irish.

Additionally, the game at the Stoop in round four saw ‘Quins revive more of that Semi-Final spirit come from 24-7 down at half-time and complete a second-half shutout in romping to a 52-24 victory.

The Bears can welcome back Bryan Byrne in at hooker, with the former Leinster player looking to bounce back from a torrid spell with injuries this season. Furthermore, Joe Joyce and Jake Heenan drop out in the forwards for captain Steve Luatua and Fitz Harding respectively.

In the backs, Max Green starts ahead of Oscar Lennon whilst Henry Purdy and Rich Lane enter the back three. Fly-half Callum Sheedy starts, having not been selected by Wales to play against France on Friday night.

It has been a difficult year for Bristol as they currently sit in 10th place in the Premiership, despite topping the regular-season table in the previous campaign. ‘Second season syndrome’ has proved an alarming reality for this crop of Bristol players.

The Bears have only won six games all season and come into the fixture having lost 29-27 in the last play against their bitter rivals, Bath, at the Recreation Ground. Their cause was not helped by a second red card in successive games for Ratu Naulago, who has since been banned for four weeks.

However, Pat Lam’s side have been without key men throughout the season, including star men Semi Radradra and Charles Piutau through injury as well as the likes of Harry Randall and Callum Sheedy due to international duty.

Additionally, the club have also struggled to replace Charles’ brother and former club captain, Siale Piutau, who left the club at the end of last season.

Harlequins have recovered well in recent weeks; bouncing back from three consecutive defeats with three solid wins. They make five changes to the side that beat Newcastle 24-10 at the Stoop last Friday night.

It is an all-new front row as Simon Kerrod, Jack Walker and Will Collier replace Joe Marler (Called up by England), Sam Riley and Wilco Louw.

Will Edwards comes in for Italian Tommaso Allan at 10 and the other change sees Oscar Beard come in on the wing in place of Louis Lynagh, who misses out with COVID.

Having initially struggled to adapt to losing international pair Alex Dombrandt and Marcus Smith to England duty, Quins have beaten lowly Wasps, Worcester and Newcastle to sit comfortably in the play-off spots in third.

For Bristol, this game will play a part of a campaign to get into the top eight as they try to sustain a place in the Champions Cup for next season, whereas ‘Quins will be hoping to earn the opportunity to defend their crown at Twickenham in June and keep themselves ahead of the chasing pack of Exeter, London Irish and Gloucester.

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