phantom

Marking a pitch doesn't take long, and swapping the posts would be easily done in a couple of hours I bet if they really wanted to they could hold one on an evening and the other the following day I'm not sure what logistically needs changing aside from the pitch

Sorry to be pedantic but Tony Thorpe scored the winner in the 70th minute, so on a real time table we'd have gone above them 20 odd minutes before

Out of interest do you know why this hasn't appeared to have been an issue elsewhere, or is it likely around the same time a number of clubs will get a similar problem? It just seems very odd that no other structures get the same advice mentioned On the flip side it seems odd that so much investment was recently put into developing that stand,that surely as two other stands were being rebuilt it would have made sense to do it now before costs increase even more. Or am I over thinking it and the stand won't need demolishing and that is an alternative

I've often heard and read this, but is it actually documented anywhere or is it a bit urban legend? Never known of any other stand have to be replaced due to age. There must be older stands out there?

Looks incredible I find it odd that this information isn't all over the football and rugby sites

Sky and Netflix regularly show films on PPV that in the past would be at the cinema The new Borat film this weekend as an example

I guess if there's a chance cinemas don't reopen for a long time....

10 of the 12 from Saracens

Just when things couldn't get any weirder, referee Wayne Barnes has been ruled out of being in charge of the final after being test for corona virus

Wasps head coach Lee Blackett has confirmed 11 players from his squad are unavailable for selection for their Premiership final against Exeter. Those players have either tested positive for coronavirus or have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive. Of those 11, Blackett says four would have probably been in the matchday 23. "It's not ideal preparation but you could argue we'll be fresh," said Blackett, previewing Saturday's final. "We've had two weeks' rest, and we trained really, really well yesterday. "We've got 33 players to pick from. It's gut-wrenching for those who will miss out but the health and safety of players and families is more important." Bristol Bears, beaten by Wasps in the semi-final on 10 October, were on standby to replace Wasps if the Coventry-based club were unable to fulfil the fixture. On Wednesday, however, it was confirmed that Wasps would be able to participate. Blackett said the results of the latest round of testing, which were all negative, came through at 02:30 BST on Wednesday. "A fair few of us as staff were up at 02:00 and most of us never went back to sleep," he added. "You think you'd be able to get back to sleep after positive news, but it was the excitement and the realisation of what's just happened. "Finals are emotional anyway and for us it's been such an emotional week. We needed to lower emotions yesterday. "Everybody was excited to be back, but we needed to control ourselves because we need to save that emotion for the weekend." TAKEN FROM: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/54644695

This came out last year, was proved to be fake back then

AN OPEN LETTER FROM CHAIRMAN, CHRIS BOOY WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21ST 2020 Friday’s European Challenge Cup victory was a fitting end to what has been an incredible – and at times surreal – 2019/20 campaign. The opening day derby win over Bath, over a year ago now, set the tone for a season that will live long in the memory for Bears supporters across the globe. Pat Lam’s men secured historic doubles over Bath and Gloucester, beat European champions Exeter away from home and the team achieved a third placed finish and our highest ever points total in the Premiership. To be able to celebrate those achievements with a trophy last weekend – surrounded by brilliant people who care deeply about the club – was without doubt my personal highlight of the past two decades I have been involved. What’s equally exciting is that we believe this is just the start. Pat has a world class management team and a squad with a core of homegrown players, supplemented by world class talent who are proud to represent the jersey. The class of 2019/20 topped the stats charts in so many areas and achieved results whilst staying true to the dynamic, exciting Bears brand that we have come to be known for. With Pat at the helm driving our vision, the sky is the limit for this great club and we aspire to dominate in the Premiership and Europe for years to come. There is no denying that there have been turbulent times away from the field and it is with deep regret that we have not been able to share the joy of the team success with our magnificent supporters. We are incredibly grateful for your continued backing and for the thousands of messages, emails, cards and social media well wishes that the guys have received. It will be a special moment when we are all back together at Ashton Gate. I’d like to thank CEO Mark Tainton who, during an unprecedented season impacted by the pandemic, has shown outstanding leadership off-field to ensure that the Bears have been prepared as possible for the challenges ahead. Mark has been fantastically supported by Gavin Marshall, the group’s chief financial officer, and Mark Kelly, who is doing an excellent job as managing director of Bristol Sport and Ashton Gate. Finally, we pay tribute to Steve, Jon, Maggie and the entire Lansdown family, who continue to show unwavering support and commitment to the Bristol Bears and our community. Nothing would have been possible without the Lansdowns and it’s their vision to see sport thrive in our proud city that has given us the platform to succeed. The club is truly grateful. Enjoy the short off-season and we look forward to the 2020/21 campaign. Up the Bears! Chris Booy Bristol Bears Chairman. TAKEN FROM: https://www.bristolbearsrugby.com/news/an-open-letter-from-chairman-chris-booy/

As long as they do themselves justice and are not just playing with anyone available

Story just updated on BBC sport: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/54598315 Wasps' participation in Saturday's Premiership final against Exeter at Twickenham is in doubt after three more players tested positive for Covid-19. Four players and three staff members tested positive last week, meaning the club now has seven players self-isolating who would be unavailable. A decision on whether or not Wasps can play will be made on Wednesday after another round of testing on Tuesday. Bristol Bears will replace Wasps should they be unable to fulfil the fixture. The Bears finished third in the league and lost to Wasps in the semi-finals earlier this month. In addition to the three extra players who have returned positive results, a further member of staff has also tested positive. "After consultation with the medical leads at Premiership Rugby, the RFU and Public Health England, the club will continue not to train at this stage," a Wasps statement said. "The club's Covid-19 contact tracing, measures and protocols, which remain rigorous, will continue to be adhered to. "Exeter Chiefs and Bristol Bears have been made aware of the situation prior to the public release of this information." Wasps, who finished second in the Premiership table behind Exeter, lost to Rob Baxter's side in their last appearance in the final in 2017. The Coventry-based club should have had an extra week's preparation for the match as the Chiefs were playing in the Champions Cup final on Saturday. But Lee Blackett's men have not trained since the seven positive tests were announced last Wednesday. Should Bristol replace Wasps it will be the first time they have made the end-of-season final and would see the holders of Europe's two cup competitions play for the domestic title. Exeter beat Racing 92 on Saturday for their first-ever Champions Cup crown while Bristol overcame Toulon to win the Challenge Cup final in Provence the previous day. Analysis BBC rugby union correspondent Chris Jones Just five days out from the final, and the Premiership showpiece remains in limbo, with a total of seven players at Wasps now testing positive for the virus in the last week. The squad will have another round of testing on Tuesday, but even if Wasps are cleared to play, their preparation has been badly hit given they will have a number of players unavailable and have yet to resume training for their biggest match in years. Bristol remain on standby, with this latest news increasing the Bears' chances of being handed an unprecedented reprieve when a decision is made on Wednesday. Bears put tropical social plans on hold Pat Lam and the Bristol squad had a European Challenge Cup final win to celebrate on Friday As Bristol Bears continue to wait in the wings for an announcement on Wasps' participation, their head coach Pat Lam believes everything should be done to ensure Exeter and Wasps contest Saturday's final. "We absolutely believe Wasps and Exeter should be contesting this final," Lam said shortly after hearing about the four further positive tests. "Lee (Blackett) has done a superb job, as has Rob (Baxter). On Saturday, it was superb to see what Exeter have done in winning the European Champions Cup. "We ourselves have been put in a situation where it's not ideal. Everything with Covid in fact is not ideal. "To be in a situation where even now, we're still waiting for sure if we've played our final match in this season of all seasons, I've got a players' room next door all decked out in tropical and Hawaiian gear where we were supposed to having our socially-distanced party to wrap up the season. "We were told we were going to get an answer on Monday morning, so we were hoping to have that party in the afternoon, but we'll keep waiting." Bristol already have plenty to celebrate after their 32-19 European Challenge Cup final win against Toulon on Friday, plus a third-place finish in the Premiership. "The players have been great throughout all this," added Lam. "Myself included, we were all booked for holidays this week and ready to go. "We've put them all on hold for now. "But when we got back from the season restart, there were a lot of things we all signed-up to: Playing midweek games, forfeiting games if teams couldn't fulfil fixtures and the play-off situation too, with teams potentially dropping out and the next highest-finisher stepping in where we are now. "We were all hoping we wouldn't find ourselves in this situation, but here we are. "We've got to get tested ourselves as a group on Tuesday and train and then on Wednesday, we'll see where we go from there."

No offence but the above is nonsense The play off format has been in place for years and Exeter are fully aware of what is required to be crowned Champions. There's nothing under hand here. It's been in the game for years. I'm sure Bristol would enjoy the payback though after finishing top of the Championship but Exeter won promotion after a play off Interesting point. I was in a venue on Saturday 10th with someone who since tested positive. I've been tested and found negative but still have this

Bristol City Women can confirm that Aimee Palmer dislocated her knee in Sunday’s Barclays FAWSL clash with Birmingham City. The midfielder is set for spell on the sidelines having sustained the injury in a heavy challenge midway through the second half at Twerton Park. The club are currently awaiting further test results to determine the full extent of the injury and will fully support Aimee throughout her rehab and recovery. Everyone at Bristol City Women is right behind Aimee in her recovery and we hope to see her back on the pitch as soon as possible. TAKEN FROM: https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/injury-update-aimee-palmer/

Compared to Birmingham we are on a par - which in itself makes yesterdays result even more concerning. The side shouldn't be low on confidence following on from a 4-0 victory in their previous game The investment comparison is more to do with the top end of the league sides who are now light years ahead of us in terms of playing personnel

Sadly I would imagine the TV contract may be dictating events here. But this scenario was written into the rules before the re-start so not like it has just been rushed through

Completely different styles of rugby though, as when we beat them, it's about who puts their best performance in

Was originally supposed to be announcement this lunchtime . . .

This is true, but ultimately it is his decision on what investment there is in the side

Birmingham are one of the few teams we're on a competitive par with, that today was awful. You have to ask yourself why we aren't investing in the team. Like the rugby compared to our men's team the money needed is a tiny fraction

Even more so considering everything else related to Bristol Sport is flourishing

I honestly don't know but looking at some of the players recently signed at the top end, either there's no FFP or the salaries aren't huge (maybe like the Bears)

I was thinking this watching the game. We were largely second best against one of the other worst sides in the league. When you look at the quality at the top clubs we're light years away from them. How can we be in the champions league semi final so recently and dropped away so badly. It really needs a cash investment, as mentioned above there's a lot of publicity around the womens game that if Bristol Sport are serious about has to see changes urgently. The only player that looked decent in the first half (Humphrey) was non existent in the second because of the multiple changes made at half time