Bristol v Sale Friday 7.45

[fivepointer]

Bristol Bears: 15. Louis Rees-Zammit, 14. Aidan Boshoff, 13. Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 12. James Williams, 11. Kalaveti Ravouvou, 10. Tom Jordan, 9. Harry Randall; 1. Ellis Genge, 2. Gabriel Oghre, 3. Lovejoy Chawatama, 4. Pedro Rubiolo, 5. Joe Owen, 6. Santiago Grondona, 7. Fitz Harding (c), 8. Viliame Mata
Replacements: 16. Harry Thacker, 17. Max Lahiff, 18. George Kloska, 19. George Taylor, 20. Benjamin Grondona, 21. Kieran Marmion, 22. Sam Worsley, 23. Noah Heward

Sale Sharks: 15. Joe Carpenter, 14. Tom O’Flaherty, 13. Rob du Preez, 12. Rekeiti Ma’asi-White, 11. Alex Wills, 10. George Ford, 9. Raffi Quirke; 1. Bevan Rodd, 2. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 3. James Harper, 4. Ben Bamber, 5. Ernst van Rhyn ©, 6. Jacques Vermeulen, 7. Sam Dugdale, 8. Tom Curry
Replacements: 16. Nathan Jibulu, 17. Si McIntyre, 18. Patreece Bell, 19. Tom Burrow, 20. Jos Gilmore, 21. Gus Warr, 22. Marius Louw, 23. Gurshwin Wehr

[FKAS]

This is the type of game where Sale will need their forwards to front up and make their tackles and hope Ford can control territory and speed of the game to defuse Bristol. Bristol will concede points the key is stopping them from scoring even more.

[twitchy]

Looking forward to this.

[Mikey Brown]

Has LRZ really transitioned to being a fullback or is he just filling in?

[FKAS]

Has LRZ really transitioned to being a fullback or is he just filling in?

I think they are using him there because it's gets him on the ball more often.

[FKAS]

Sale's line speed fantastic. In attack they look error strewn, Ford with fingers taped up maybe carrying a knock that putting him off a bit but those outside him aren't look too good. Except Raffi Quirke who's on fire.

[Oakboy]

Why would you leave a player on one leg so exposed? Have Sale got a captain?

[FKAS]

Marmion has upped the pace since coming on, Randall so slow at the base. Meant that Sale just couldn't get back into the line quick enough and mark up to cover the injured Quirke on the wing.

[fivepointer]

Hard going for Bristol, thanks to a big defensive effort from Sale. Very unusual for Bristol not to get a try BP but they never got their attacking game out of 2nd gear for large parts of the game.
Genge is in fabulous form right now.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Fun game that. Fair play to Sale who really disrupted the Bears throughout. Marmion made a difference. Quirke was superb! Hope it’s just a bang.

A note to Joe Owen who is quietly really establishing himself. Had a very good game. Also Burrow who made a big impression when he came on.

[Captainhaircut]

Quirke just brilliant. He could become such a bench weapon for England. Obviously he got injured just as he was looking so good- hopefully not serious.

Marmion so much better than Randall. He should be starting.

Bamber, Burrow, Owen all promising whilst Genge and Curry showed their class.

All round a good show.

[charlesdeboeuf]

Quirke just brilliant. He could become such a bench weapon for England. Obviously he got injured just as he was looking so good- hopefully not serious.

Marmion so much better than Randall. He should be starting.

Bamber, Burrow, Owen all promising whilst Genge and Curry showed their class.

All round a good show.

Quirke's due back for the Saints game on 24th Jan according to Sanderson.