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Connacht v Saracens Champions Cup Preview
And so the Champions Cup 26-27 returns in yet another different format to the last, this time around with fixtures beginning in October. Not sure how to feel about this, it makes the whole competition very disjointed in my opinion and further disjoints the domestic league/s. Anyway, there seems to be a strong travelling contingent heading over to Galway to watch this one. I have never been to the Dexcom, so this will be another stadium ticked off the list (fun fact – it’s also used as a greyhound racing stadium).
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UNFINISHED BUSINESS: BATH V MONTPELLIER
“Bath Rugby a des comptes à régler en Europe.” After the disappointment of last year’s semi final defeat at the hands of eventual winners UBB, with all its attendant controversy, there is a definite sense of having a score to settle or at least having unfinished business in the Champions Cup. The road to closing out that unfinished business begins at the Rec on Saturday evening with the visit of Montpellier Hérault who convincingly defeated Ulster in the final in Bilbao to win the Challenge Cup last season.
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Last Ditch Heartache
Well it was a lot better. Marcus Smith's two tries looked like they might make the difference until a 74th minute penalty try denied Quns their first victory of the new Prem season.
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Saracens v Bristol Bears Premiership Report
What a great day out at StoneX to make up for last weekend's shambolic display. Bristol are one of those teams who will either play like prime 1999 Australia or 2011 New Zealand one week, the the following week like a pub team still drunk from their antics the night before. Luckily for us (the bears bogey team) they played like the latter and we could secure a 5 point win and reassurance that last weekend was a blip, not a deeper lying issue. Once I'd caught up with some mates, purchased my chicken george (mango rubicon this week, very tasty too) + pint of guinness, I could sit down and contemplate the teams warming up on a chilly Saturday eve. For Bristol, it was a severely weakened team - no Benhard Janse V-R, no AJ McGinty amongst others whereas we hd gone through a big rotation compared to the side that started agsainst Sale a week ago. No Alfie Barbeary, no Hugh Tizard, no Nick Tompkins etc. They did both seem fired up though and ready to go out and give it their all. As always in our little corner of the west stand we cheered loud as the players ran out and Max celebrated his 100th appearance in red/black. I did notice A LOT of players who appeared either unavailable or injured. Theo Dan in a boot, ditto James Hadfield, Olly H with a sling the list goes on. We need to pay mind to our injury concerns as that's already 2/3 matchday 23 players gone less than a month into the season.
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Onward and Upward
Cherry and White supporters now know they are in for the best season in years. Gloucs may have been beaten 38-31 by Tigers to inflict the first defeat of the season but the way our team played in the last few minutes promises so much.
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Marcus Returns
Marcus Smith returns to the starting line-up as Quins head for a Sunday showdown at Sale kicking off at 3.00. Can he turn round our fortunes after the disastrous start?
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Where can I watch the rugby this weekend 9th - 11th October
Thanks to Chris for sending this over....
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Exeter Chiefs Women v Loughborough Lightning
TEAMS, MATCH INFORMATION, PRE-MATCH DISCUSSION THREAD AND SCORE PREDICTIONS
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Exeter Chiefs v Newcastle Red Bulls
TEAMS, MATCH INFORMATION, PRE-MATCH DISCUSSION THREAD AND SCORE PREDICTIONS
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Round 6: Sale FC v Plymouth Albion
Time to put last weekend's extraordinary events behind us as Albion make their way to Greater Manchester to take on Sale FC. Kick-off this Saturday is at 14:30.
