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Brstol Bears' Ioan Lloyd dives over for a try against Zebre Rugby Club last weekend
Something will have to give in the first European meeting between Brive and Bristol Bears on Friday night at the Stade Amedee-Domenech in Pool 4.
Brive have won seven of their last eight home games against English opposition, but Bristol, the Pool leaders, have emerged victorious in three of their last four away Challenge Cup ties in France.
Key facts
- Bristol will be the 11th different English team Brive have faced in European competition.
- The Bears made 163 tackles last weekend in their 59-21 home drubbing of Zebre Rugby Club – a joint Round 1 high.
- Bristol’s Ioan Lloyd slotted all eight of his place kicks against Zebre, the joint highest last weekend.
🎥| "Friday night is a big challenge and it will test us, so we need to get our preparation right."@MathProtheroe previews @CABCLRUGBY visit 👇 pic.twitter.com/LKnkFcJqwI
— Bristol Bears (@BristolBears) November 20, 2019
Callum Sheedy, whose goal-kicking helped Bristol Bears to a convincing victory at Brive
Bristol Bears staked a firm claim to finish first in Pool 4 of the European Rugby Challenge Cup by storming to victory in their top-of-the-table clash at Brive on Friday.
The visitors virtually sealed their success by the 25th minute, by which time they were 24-0 ahead in the first meeting between the clubs.
First, left wing Toby Fricker blasted over in the corner in the fifth minute for a try brilliantly converted by scrum-half Callum Sheedy.
Then after Sheedy had kicked a penalty, scrum-half Harry Randall rounded off a great move involving Luke Morahan and Sheedy to dive over in the 15th minute. Sheedy also converted that.
Eight minutes later centre Piers O’Conor was rewarded for attaching himself to the back of a driving line-out with a try which was again goaled by Sheedy.
Brive then hit back with a period of intense pressure, but time and again the superb Bristol defence either held them at bay or the French side dropped the ball.
Then after replacement Sevanaia Galala had been sin-binned for a high tackle, the Bears capitalised with late tries from replacements Will Capon – via a 68th minute driving line-out, the vital bonus-point score – and Ed Holmes, who strolled over in the 73rd minute.
Sheedy converted the first of the late double to finish with 11 points.
🎥| "It's a big statement from the boys, winning in France is never easy and it was a team effort."
Pat Lam hails young team after sublime victory 👇 pic.twitter.com/Dpvrb4ghBY
— Bristol Bears (@BristolBears) November 22, 2019
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