02 September 2005
GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP, The Memorial Stadium, Sunday 4th September 2005 (1pm kick-off)
Richard Hill has named a Bristol team packed with experience for the GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP opener against Bath Rugby on Sunday although several players are making their debut in the top flight.
The team that took the field against Cardiff Blues last Friday evening actually turned out to be a fairly good indicator of how the team would line up.
The starting line-up is, in fact, unchanged from Friday evening. Lee Robinson will make his GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP debut on the wing having signed from Plymouth Albion in the summer and Vaughn Going's impressive form keeps out last season's record try scorer, Sean Marsden, on the other wing.
The Pumas are well represented in the backs with Bernardo Stortoni and Manu Contepomi. Contepomi partnes Rob Higgitt in the centre in an all new partnership to the GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP.
Tommy Hayes' knee injury means a start for last season's top points scorer Jason Strange and his half back partner will be Sean Perry who is also making his bow in the top flight.
The pack oozes experience. Dave Hilton, Mark Regan and Darren Crompton know all the tricks of the trade and they're backed up by Wales' record cap holder Gareth Llewellyn in the boiler room who partners a third Puma in Mariano Sambucetti. The back row is also a battle hardened one with skipper Matt Salter alongside Craig Short and Geraint Lewis.
Richard Hill had this to say as he announced the team: "I've kept an unchanged team from the Cardiff game which is a positive thing. I've made just one change on the bench with Mark Denney coming in for Sam Cox."
"The difference between Division One and the Premiership is that you have to concentrate on your opponents more. There are ceratin games in Division One where you can focus on your own performance. You know that if you're on top of your game, then you'll win." "It's an exciting fixture, a tough opener for us. But if we can actually get enough ball and play some rugby against Bath it'll be a huge confidence boost as that pack is one of the best in the country."
"But, our pack have been there and done it. Hopefully, they'll stand up to them. We know what to expect. They'll come to batter us into submission so we'll have ot hang in there like Leeds did in the Cup final. If we can do it against Bath, we can do it against most teams."
Bristol return to the Premiership after a two year absence with their last victory in the top-flight coincidentally also being against Bath (30-20) at Ashton Gate in May 2003.
Bristol have won ten of the past eleven league games they have played at Memorial Stadium. Bath lost their last Premiership match to Leeds ending a four game winning run in the competition, whilst away from home in 2005 they have won six of their past seven encounters in all competitions - the only loss being 16-17 at Gloucester in the Premiership on 19 February.
Bristol, who lost all their first 16 league matches they played against Bath, have had the better of their nearest and fiercest rivals in recent clashes winning three of the past four Premiership encounters.
Bristol Rugby:
Bernardo Stortoni, Lee Robinson, Rob Higgitt, Manu Contepomi, Vaughn Going, Jason Strange, Shaun Perry, Dave Hilton, Mark Regan, Darren Crompton, Mariano Sambucetti, Gareth Llewellyn, Matt Salter (capt), Craig Short, Geraint Lewis
Replacements:
Alex Clarke, Saul Nelson, Roy Winters, Dan Ward-Smith, Greg Nicholls, Danny Gray, Mark Denney
John Connolly believes that it is important that his side do not get carried away with the derby hype ahead of Sunday's GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP encounter against Bristol Rugby at a sell out Memorial Stadium encounter (1pm).
Speaking ahead of his side's first encounter against Bristol for three seasons, the Head Coach said that he was expecting an extremely tough encounter, but believes that Bath Rugby are in good shape ahead of the new Guinness Premiership season.
"It really is important that we approach the game as we would any other," he said. "This is not about a derby game but the first game in the new Guinness Premiership season and it is important that we do not lose sight of that. Yes, we are expecting Bristol to throw everything at us, but this squad has prepared well over the summer and we are all looking forward to Sunday."
Commenting on selection, Connolly said that there were some very close calls to make. "It is extremely competitive throughout the squad," he said. "Every position is incredibly fiercely contested and that is extremely positive. Guys like Rob Fidler have been immense during pre-season, whilst half back is another area where there is hardly anything to choose between players. There are going to be guys lining up for United on Monday night who could count themselves unlucky not to be in the side."
Steve Borthwick leads a side that includes Andy Beattie for the first time in a competitive match since breaking his leg in February. Joe Maddock also returns to the wing after missing the last two pre-season trials. British Lions tourists Danny Grewcock and Matt Stevens are also included in the squad having served their eleven week rest period. There is a place on the bench for new signing Pieter Dixon.
David Bory (hernia), Michael Stephenson (leg), Tom Cheeseman (shoulder), Peter Short (knee), Alex Crockett (knee), Michael Lipman (fractured cheekbone/eye socket) and David Flatman (Achilles) miss the trip through injury. However, Connolly is optimistic that the walking wounded will return shortly. "Bory and Crockett should be back for the Northampton game," he explained. "Stephenson is making fantastic progress, whilst Cheeseman and Flatman are also coming along well."
A capacity crowd is expected at the Memorial Stadium on Sunday and Connolly believes that there will be a special atmosphere at the Memorial Stadium. "I sure that there will be an incredible atmosphere at the ground," said the Australian. "However, I am sure that the Bath Rugby supporters will make themselves heard."
Bath Rugby vs Bristol Rugby
GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP
The Memorial Stadium
Sunday 4th September
1pm
15 MATT PERRY
14 JOE MADDOCK
13 ANDREW HIGGINS
12 OLLY BARKLEY
11 FRIKKIE WELSH
10 CHRIS MALONE
9 NICK WALSHE
1 DAVID BARNES
2 LEE MEARS
3 DUNCAN BELL
4 STEVE BORTHWICK (capt)
5 DANNY GREWCOCK
6 ANDY BEATTIE
7 JAMES SCAYSBROOK
8 ZAK FEAUNATI
16 PIETER DIXON
17 MATT STEVENS
18 GARETH DELVE
19 ROB FIDLER
20 MARTYN WOOD
21 RYAN DAVIS
22 LEE BEST
The Bath Rugby Clubhouse will be open to screen the match live on the giant screens. Doors open at 12pm and the bar will be open.
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