Bristol won despite missing several regulars

First game at hooker
By Duncan Wood
October 21 2002

Bristol's European Cup win over Montferrand was achieved despite several key players who were missing through injury or suspension. But some of the 'replacements' stepped in and really staked a claim.

Before the season started, your average Bristol supporter would probably have selected something like this as his first choice starting lineup (remembering that Daryl Gibson was a well kept secret at this point):

Best, Rees, Higgins, Shaw, Christophers, Contepomi, Pichot, Johnstone, McCarthy, White, Archer, Brown, Sturnham, Lipman, Beattie

I'm not saying that this is what the best XV is, but it's as good a guess as any.

The starting lineup against Montferrand was as follows:

Drahm, Rees, Higgins, Gibson, Christophers, Contepomi, Pichot, Crompton, Johnstone, Sheridan, Archer, Brown, Short, Lipman, Oakley

Position for position, that's a massive 7 changes and it could have been worse but for a few players recovering from knocks in time to make the starting lineup.

That puts the performance against Montferrand even more into context. To clinch a win despite missing 3 front row regulars, with both your second rows doubtful before kickoff and (no disrespect intended Rhys) down to your fourth choice number eight is a magnificent effort.

Credit is deserved by every one of the players on the day and also to the coaching staff. A final word also for the physion who must have worked overtime to get some of those players on the pitch.

Let's hope that the team spirit and performance can be carried forward to the Harlequins game.