elhombrecito Posted November 22, 2019 Report Share Posted November 22, 2019 Decent home record... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul G Posted November 22, 2019 Report Share Posted November 22, 2019 26 minutes ago, JBFC II said: They are only 3 points off of 3rd, so I don’t think you can read too much into it. Yep they were poor, but I thought we nullified them excellently defensively. The referee helped slightly as well! You're right, i didnt read it at all. However, there are signs this season that we are looking up rather than down. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBFC II Posted November 23, 2019 Report Share Posted November 23, 2019 To add to that, last night was Brive first home defeat in 18 months. And even more impressively the first time they’ve failed to score at home since 1962! That is incredible 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin phantom Posted November 26, 2019 Admin Report Share Posted November 26, 2019 On 19/11/2019 at 13:26, MichaelRobartes said: Apparently competition from France as well. Not many clubs could afford that salary but all offers being equal-ish I'd probably go to ASM. Great club and their fans are something else. He may want to stay close to home though. Bristol probably wouldn't flog him all season like a TOP14 club might either which could prolong his career. Northern Red has it spot on. Whispers are that three current international players will be joining next season - JT one of the three Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelRobartes Posted November 26, 2019 Report Share Posted November 26, 2019 2 hours ago, phantom said: Whispers are that three current international players will be joining next season - JT one of the three Who are the other two? I hope Bristol have crunched the numbers properly in light of what Sarries have done to themselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBFC II Posted November 26, 2019 Report Share Posted November 26, 2019 Been linked with Semi Radrada, imo the best centre in world rugby at the minute. A back line of Uren, Sheedy, Radrada, O’Conor, Leuia, Morahan and Piutau is frightening 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelRobartes Posted November 26, 2019 Report Share Posted November 26, 2019 1 hour ago, JBFC II said: Been linked with Semi Radrada, imo the best centre in world rugby at the minute. A back line of Uren, Sheedy, Radrada, O’Conor, Leuia, Morahan and Piutau is frightening Would be some signing that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
054123 Posted November 27, 2019 Report Share Posted November 27, 2019 That is some signing. Hope our books stand up to scrutiny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elhombrecito Posted November 27, 2019 Report Share Posted November 27, 2019 https://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/domestic-club-rugby-union/34305/exclusive-bristol-bears-offer-rory-best-shot-at-the-premiership/ Rory Best is being asked to kick retirement into touch and take a fast track to the summit of the English Premiership. Bristol Bears are offering the venerable Ulsterman a contract for the rest of the season aimed at reinforcing their ambitious bid to win the domestic crown put up for grabs by Saracens’ enforced abdication. The 37-year-old farmer whose long Test career ended with New Zealand knocking Ireland out of the World Cup at the quarter-finals last month had intended to retire from all rugby as part of the Barbarians’ tour ending in Cardiff on Saturday. After appearing against Fiji at Twickenham and coming off the bench for a goalkicking cameo in Brazil in midweek, Best flew home amid uncertainty as to where he would be this weekend – on Baa-baas’ duty against a Wales XV, part of Bristol’s 23 against London Irish at Ashton Gate or putting his feet up at home. Bears’ director of rugby Pat Lam has an impressive track record of having already signed a pair of Test veterans – ex-All Blacks’ prop John Afoa (36) and the durable Australian George Smith whose one-season deal helped the club make an impact on their return to the Premiership. Smith was 38 when he signed last season, a year older then than Best is now. Bristol’s move will leave Ireland’s most-capped forward with an unexpected decision, whether to stick with his retirement plan or extend his career for six lucrative months’ work in the English game. The Rugby Paper’s revelation is yet another indication of Bristol’s ultimate objective of becoming the new dominant force in the English game. It follows last week’s TRP exclusive of the Bears’ £500,000-a-year bid for Ospreys’ Wales openside Justin Tipuric and last summer’s capture of England No.8 Nathan Hughes from Wasps. Lam, who came into regular contact with Best during his PRO12-winning spell at Connacht, is clearly convinced the Ulsterman has enough left to keep going for another six months. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CyderInACan Posted November 27, 2019 Report Share Posted November 27, 2019 Radradra confirmed! https://www.bristolbearsrugby.com/news/world-class-radradra-pens-bears-deal/ WORLD CLASS RADRADRA PENS BEARS DEAL Bristol Bears are delighted to announce that one of the finest players on the planet, Semi Radradra, will join the club ahead of the 2020/21 campaign. A standout individual across both rugby codes, the Fijian international arrives at Ashton Gate on a three-year deal. 27 year-old Radradra averaged 100m a game at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, lighting up the competition pool stages with a string of sensational displays, including a brace against Georgia. During his time in the Australian NRL (National Rugby League), Radradra was named Dally M winger of the year for two seasons in a row, scoring 82 tries in 94 games for Parramatta Eels. “There is no doubt that Semi is one of the best players in the world – he’s truly a world class performer and we are so excited about what he can do for the team,” said Director of Rugby Pat Lam. “Every top club across both codes on the planet wanted him, so for Bristol to be able to bring in a player of his quality underlines the fantastic work that the club is doing. Semi has clarity about our vision and knows what the club want to achieve. As a person and a player, he is perfect for our culture which places an emphasis on community and high performance. “I got to know Semi well at the Barbarians and we were blown away by his professionalism and dedication. He is world class because of the relentless work and preparation he puts into his game, day in day out. It’s no surprise that he has taken the World Cup and French Top 14 by storm – Semi is the ultimate professional. “We believe the Gallagher Premiership is the best league in the world and Semi’s arrival into the league will only enhance the product further. He’s an unstoppable force and we are looking forward to seeing him light up the competition for the next three seasons.” Radradra has enjoyed a stellar club career so far, representing Toulon and Bordeaux in the French Top 14, following his switch from the NRL in 2016. He added: “I’m looking forward to coming to the Premiership and to be playing under Pat Lam at Bristol Bears. They are one of the most exciting teams in Europe right now and the way that they are doing things is making everybody take notice. “I visited the world class facilities at Ashton Gate and saw the progress of the new training ground – it’s a fantastic club to be joining with a bright future ahead. I can’t wait to get started and contributing to the Bristol Bears vision.” 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted November 27, 2019 Report Share Posted November 27, 2019 I find it impressive that rugby players largely are able to play well into their late thirties, it’s such a gruelling game physically. Quite different to football, but so is the length of a player’s career it seems? We are talking about players being a ‘fantastic signing’ at least 10 years older than we would if we were talking about football! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted November 27, 2019 Report Share Posted November 27, 2019 Wow, that signing shows intent. Just wow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelRobartes Posted November 27, 2019 Report Share Posted November 27, 2019 2 minutes ago, RedM said: I find it impressive that rugby players largely are able to play well into their late thirties, it’s such a gruelling game physically. Quite different to football, but so is the length of a player’s career it seems? We are talking about players being a ‘fantastic signing’ at least 10 years older than we would if we were talking about football! It depends what position they play. A lot of the guys who end up playing to a high level into their late thirties tend to be forwards. I don't think you get too many 38 year old midfielders or back three players at that level. Amazing signing for Bristol. Would be intriguing if Rory joined them too. From one point of view I hope he leaves it now. Been a great player for Ulster and Ireland and it seems fitting for him to go out as a one club man. Then again nobody should begrudge him getting the payday if he's still feeling good. He owes Irish rugby nothing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBFC II Posted November 27, 2019 Report Share Posted November 27, 2019 That is an unbelievably good signing, probably the best centre in the world right now. Sadly will probably mean Charles is off but Radrada is not a bad replacement! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin phantom Posted November 27, 2019 Admin Report Share Posted November 27, 2019 21 hours ago, MichaelRobartes said: Who are the other two? I hope Bristol have crunched the numbers properly in light of what Sarries have done to themselves. Guess we now know 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelRobartes Posted November 27, 2019 Report Share Posted November 27, 2019 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelRobartes Posted November 27, 2019 Report Share Posted November 27, 2019 In other news, this only merited a six week ban. What a joke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelRobartes Posted November 27, 2019 Report Share Posted November 27, 2019 Semi Radradra signing a statement of intent from fast-rising Bristol https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/nov/27/semi-radradra-fiji-winger-joins-bristol-bears-rugby-three-year-deal?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Copy_to_clipboard 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CyderInACan Posted November 27, 2019 Report Share Posted November 27, 2019 1 hour ago, MichaelRobartes said: Semi Radradra signing a statement of intent from fast-rising Bristol https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/nov/27/semi-radradra-fiji-winger-joins-bristol-bears-rugby-three-year-deal?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Copy_to_clipboard Everything you read about Pat and the culture he has instilled here is just great. Having listened to him first hand at several events in the last couple of years you can see how much of an inspiration he is. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elhombrecito Posted November 29, 2019 Report Share Posted November 29, 2019 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CyderInACan Posted November 29, 2019 Report Share Posted November 29, 2019 Strong XV. Mads must be starting to feel like this guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul G Posted November 29, 2019 Report Share Posted November 29, 2019 5 minutes ago, CyderInACan said: Strong XV. Mads must be starting to feel like this guy I think Mads will be gone next season, hes in the last year of his contract. It will free up some more wages. I'm certainly excited at the potential of our 10's at the moment, just have to keep the WRU off young Ioan. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin phantom Posted November 29, 2019 Admin Report Share Posted November 29, 2019 22 minutes ago, elhombrecito said: Always amuses me how Steven Luatua never looks at the camera for photos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CyderInACan Posted November 29, 2019 Report Share Posted November 29, 2019 3 minutes ago, Paul G said: I think Mads will be gone next season, hes in the last year of his contract. It will free up some more wages. I'm certainly excited at the potential of our 10's at the moment, just have to keep the WRU off young Ioan. I agree but he’s not even playing for the A team I think. Surely it sould pay to keep him match ready should the need arise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul G Posted November 29, 2019 Report Share Posted November 29, 2019 @CyderInACan I think Tiff Eden is in front of him as back up for the 1st team. Maybe he's lost his mojo, who knows? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBFC II Posted November 29, 2019 Report Share Posted November 29, 2019 Looks like a really strong team that, add Radrada to that 23 and it’ll be scarily good. In Newcastle tonight so off to see hartpury v falcons, 4 Bristol player season in the hartpury squad (Powell, Eden, batley and graham) should be an interesting game 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBFC II Posted November 30, 2019 Report Share Posted November 30, 2019 Not the best game to see how our lot are doing to be honest, Newcastle were a cut above (as shown by the 50-10 score line, despite them apparently not playing well...) Batley and graham were part of a scrum going backwards for the whole 80. Batley has a mixed time, a couple of lost line outs (one with a rather embarrassing lack of communication) but he also stole a couple and looked solid in the tackle, whilst playing the full 80. Graham was pretty non existent in the first half, bar one massive hit on cooper vuna and got brought off at half time. Tiff Eden started at 10 and outshone Toby flood before flood got injured. He looked excellent on the ball and put some decent kicks in behind, scored 1 from 2 long range penalties but got a yellow card for killing the ball at the scrum. Charlie Powell came on with around 20 minutes to go, at full back surprisingly, and I don’t think touched the ball. All in all it was difficult to tell too much from this but Tiff did show his class in a poor hartpury side, especially against an ex England 10 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Posted December 1, 2019 Report Share Posted December 1, 2019 27-27 ft Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northern Red Posted December 1, 2019 Report Share Posted December 1, 2019 London Irish are no mugs, I reckon they'll beat the drop and take a few scalps along the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted December 1, 2019 Report Share Posted December 1, 2019 London Irish had an ugly but effective game plan, and we were far off our best. We were pretty lucky to scrape the draw, they were a man down for the majority of the match. I agree they are no mugs and we seriously underestimated them. But a draw and bonus point I will happily take on reflection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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