RugbyRebels

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

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.

Looking forward to this.

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

Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Fri Jan 02, 2026 11:45 am 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.

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.

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

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.