Bristol v Sale, Ashton Gate on Friday, 5th (7.45pm KO):

[jimKRFC]

Bristol Bears team to face Sale Sharks at Ashton Gate on Friday, February 5th (7.45pm KO):

15. Charles Piutau; 14. Siva Naulago, 13. Piers O’Conor, 12. Siale Piutau, 11. Henry Purdy; 10. Ioan Lloyd, 9. Andy Uren; 1. Jake Woolmore, 2. Bryan Byrne, 3. John Afoa, 4. Dave Attwood, 5. Chris Vui, 6. Steven Luatua (c), 7. Dan Thomas, Nathan Hughes.

Subs: 16. Will Capon, 17. Yann Thomas, 18. Nahual Tetaz Chaparro, 19. Ed Holmes, 20. Jake Heenan, 21. Tom Kessell, 22. Sam Bedlow, 23. Alapati Leiua.

Unavailable: Harry Thacker, Pete McCabe, Kyle Sinckler, Max Lahiff, Joe Joyce, Ben Earl, James Dun, Harry Randall, Chris Cook, Callum Sheedy, Max Malins, Semi Radradra, Luke Morahan.

Bristol missing a whole lot of first team players and the bench looks stretched at 9/10, but they're in good form. Hopefully we can play as they like and grab the win.

[jimKRFC]

[Peej]

Got to be frustrating for Bris with Radradra having turned in such a good performance last time out and now being unavailable - unless Lam has made him unavailable.

[fivepointer]

Radradra must be injured, Didnt he come off early against Bath?

Could be very interesting this one. Bris attack up against the best defensive team in the league.

[Puja]

Doesn't get much easier for Rodd - Dan Cole one week, John Afoa the next. He showed up incredibly well against Cole and hopefully learned a few of the tricks by which age and treachery defeated youth and talent. Interested to see how he gets on.

Puja

[jimKRFC]

Only just realised Nahual is in line to make a start. Armstrong has been a bit of weak link so hope it means the scrum stays solid (not seen him play).

[Mellsblue]

Great way to start a brilliant rugby weekend. Never fail to enjoy Bristol.

[Peej]

Poor game that's come to life in the last 15 minutes

[jimKRFC]

Can't really moan about that, very average performance all round from Bristol. Sale didn't really have to do much at all.

Just hope Semi isn't out for 9 weeks as well as Luatua being injured and C.Puitau being injured. That would really drop us in it with all the others out injured.

[chris1850]

Can't really moan about that, very average performance all round from Bristol. Sale didn't really have to do much at all.

You're wrong to say that Sale didn't have to do much. Sale had to do a huge amount in defence, which was immense. It was that which made Bristol look average

[FKAS]

Can't really moan about that, very average performance all round from Bristol. Sale didn't really have to do much at all.

You're wrong to say that Sale didn't have to do much. Sale had to do a huge amount in defence, which was immense. It was that which made Bristol look average

Sale do like to defend. The whole team look really well organised and committed in that area. Attack not quite so much. It'll be interesting to see what Sanderson brings to the table as although Deacon is the attack coach I'm sure Sanderson will have picked some things up from the pragmatic attacking stylings of Sorrell and Shaw at Sarries. They really are a bit unsung for taking their attritional style away from kick heavy but still playing percentages whilst scoring tries. Sale could easily go the same way and become less reliant on McGuinty's boot.

[jimKRFC]

Can't really moan about that, very average performance all round from Bristol. Sale didn't really have to do much at all.

You're wrong to say that Sale didn't have to do much. Sale had to do a huge amount in defence, which was immense. It was that which made Bristol look average

You're receiving right, they came with a game (disrupt and take the 3 PTS) and they carried it out well. The defence was excellent but verges on off side the whole time, so they have to get it spot on.

Pearce had a good game in my eyes.

On to Glawster!

[fivepointer]

Thoroughly professional and efficient from Sale. Tactically they were spot on and they defended superbly. Credit where its due.
Bris a bit off colour, lacking some inspiration.
Pearce was excellent, i thought.

[Oakboy]

Thoroughly professional and efficient from Sale. Tactically they were spot on and they defended superbly. Credit where its due.
Bris a bit off colour, lacking some inspiration.
Pearce was excellent, i thought.

Agreed. How good is/will be Sanderson? I've always liked hearing his views when interviewed. He comes across as intelligent and insightful.