CyderInACan

1 hour ago, JBFC II said:

Didn't think it was that bad. Basically a full strength la rochelle side against a not so strong bristol side and we lost 5 tries to 4. Obviously there were some very poor mistakes and stuff to work on but the scoreline didn't reflect the match imo 

Good t get a BP I guess too 

C’mon then how bad was Saturday!?

Or better still, join the Bristol Forum and get involved in the conversation! You’ll find a few OTIBers on there

http://www.rugbynetwork.net/boards/read/s100.htm?102,16464189

From The Times 

Premiership clubs in talks to end relegation and expand league to 13 sides 

The Premiership clubs have recommenced negotiations to bring an end to promotion and relegation, with a new possibility of expanding the Gallagher Premiership to a 13-club league. 
The Times has learnt that some clubs would be keen to pull up the trap door immediately and therefore ensure that no one would be relegated at the end of this season. 
The first nine rounds of this season’s Premiership competition have established a situation where seven clubs are at risk of relegation, arguably nine. It is this fear that has focussed minds. 
The subject of ringfencing has been an occasional discussion point among the clubs and came close to being waved through earlier this year. The major sticking point, then, was the fact there are 13 professional clubs with shares in Premier Rugby Limited — the 12 in the Premiership, plus London Irish, who are leading the Championship — and how, therefore, to cut the number to ringfence a league of 12. 
One of the new proposals is simply to expand the Premiership into a 13-club competition. 
This would require an extra four Premiership weekends each season. These weekends would be made available by the cancelling of the new Premiership Cup competition. 
While some clubs are keen to scrap relegation as soon as possible, it remains unlikely that it could be achieved swiftly enough to prevent any club being relegated this season. 
A Premiership spokesman today confirmed that ringfencing was again being discussed. “It’s been on the agenda for 20 years,” he said, “and will always be debated.”

25 minutes ago, Fatknacker said:

The problem is that would mean 4 more weekend fixtures and the calendar is already chocca...I think expanding to 13 is just about doable and would enable the thirteenth shareholder, London Irish, to join a ring fenced Premiership.

The article I saw that suggested an expansion said they’d get rid of a cup competition to compensate. I think. I’ll try and find it. 

Lot of talk about ring-fencing now the CVV (or whoever) deal for a 30% stake is almost a certainty. Might be too soon for this season though. 

4 hours ago, Portland Bill said:

Good article in the New Zealand Herald. 

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12168475

I love this. Love it. To think that CP - allegedly the highest paid player - is probably on roughly the same as Marlon Pack is nuts. City could learn a lot from their Bristol Sport team mates. 

Wins for Wuss and Newcastle last night. Pressure on!

42 minutes ago, TomF said:

OK - I wasn't trying to have a go I'm just keen for feedback on how we can improve here.  We can't suppress peoples thoughts that's for sure, it is definitely a Bristol trait to be miserable and yet somehow laid back at the same time.

Gotta love Bristol! 

11 hours ago, JBFC II said:

Good win v a full strength wasps side. Disappointing in some ways as we left 20 points on the pitch due to lack of precision. Do that v exeter and it will cost us

Here’s hoping for a real game on Sunday against Chiefs. Really need to build on this momentum over the last 2 games. At least 2pts please!

9 hours ago, MichaelRobartes said:

Read just now that the Care Bears will sign Nathan Hughes from Wasps for £500,000 a year for next season. Good player but never worth that money.

I thought it was for this season ie now 

Moron Rees and the gAss really do deserve each other. MR and Wally are both so utterly deluded that they were probably discussing where to put the MemStad Underground station. Meanwhile, in BS3 with actual plans and money, we just quietly go about our business. The gap just gets bigger and bigger. 

THE GIFT 

2 hours ago, phantom said:

What I found odd there was a large group of Gloucester supporters all sat in their red shirts

I couldn't understand why they would go to a game where their side is not playing and then wear your own colours

Did they all have “Flint” on the back!?

Great result in difficult conditions. How invaluable is Mads though. Can’t wait for the weekend - Villa friday and Saints saturday. Bring it on! 

My god we need to win today to lift my mood after last night’s shambles at Wigan! Incidentally, anyone know what’s happened to Stirzaker (sp?) 

10 hours ago, Kid in the Riot said:

Yeah but two toughest games of the season probably out of the way. Gloucester have maybe the best squad in the Premiership and the best player in Cipriani. 

Look so much better than two years ago. Refs don't seem to be appreciating George Smith's style of play? 

Based on what I've seen so far no chance we'll be in a relegation battle, but obviously need a win or two in next few games. 

I thought it looked like Smith was down in the dumps in the second half. He sure is some player though, seems to win the ball back so easily sometimes, certainly a huge asset. 

We certainly need points. Last night demonstrated for me when to play out from the back and when to clear your lines. We need to be a bit more pragmatic at the expense of being completely expansive if you ask me. The Bristol of the first half was a joy to watch mind. 

Bit of a gutter for a Polledri to be MOM against Bristol. 

Terrible 2nd half. Jesus. 

16 hours ago, The Bard said:

If you have a City Season ticket and can't make the Northampton game, the other game will probably be Worcester at home on 23rd March.. I don't know this - it just seems the obvious choice

Yeah they normally chuck another one in - especially if we really need the points! 

No ban for Smith - available to play against Glos on Friday 

Missed going but managed to watch it live at Devon Cliffs! Jumped out of my seat when we scored our try! Quite a few Bris fans spoke to me afterwards seeing as I’d msde my presence known ha ha 

what a result 

52 minutes ago, MichaelRobartes said:

 

Also just realised that they're on board with calling their replacements "impact players". Cringe.

Did so last season so no biggie 

18 hours ago, phantom said:

Interesting to see, @Matt Parsons BCFCSLO do you guys spend much time bouncing ideas off of each other?

http://www.rugbynetwork.net/boards/read/s100.htm?102,16382689

That rugby forum is far less sophisticated than here. Plus we have the Q&A section - albeit there doesn’t seem to be many As to the Qs forthcoming at the mo!

Thought we looked strong v. Connacht last night. Would’ve won had Mads not missed what I thought should’ve been an easy 5pts. Will be watching the Barf game - albeit from Devon on BT!