Bristol Rugby Club
Founded: 1888
Home Ground: Memorial Stadium
Director of Rugby: Andy Robinson
Last season: Fifth
Last season:
Bristol were one of the favourites last season having
topped the table in 2011/12, and only losing out in the play-offs to London
Welsh. Bristol started off the 2012/13 campaign badly, winning only three of
their first eight league matches, culminating in a 63-7 reverse at Nottingham.
In fact it was make or break for the management when Jersey came to town mid
November, having sacked head coach Liam Middleton and Andy Robinson taking full
control. Finishing with four straight wins, including the only league defeat champions
Newcastle Falcons suffered all season. Ending up only two points from a playoff
spot, their early season form had let them down. The best supported club in the
division, a 4,891 home average was 1,250 more than any other, expected much
more, and this season, along with London Welsh, they appear to be the stand-out
side.
This season so far:
Pre-season was a mixed bag for Bris’ beginning with an 11
tries to 1, 69-5 thumping by near neighbours Bath, with Jerseys Matt Banahan
amongst the scorers. This was followed by a second heavy defeat at Exeter who
put 51 points and eight tries before Clifton gave a confidence boost by succumbing
76-0. The season began at Sandy Park, along with Jerseys match, live on Sky
Sports against The Cornish Pirates. The Pirates had failed to read the script
and battled gamely to a 23-21 win to put the pressure on Robinson’s men. They responded
with a 31-18 win over an impressive London Scottish at home. Anything but
convincing, Bristol were down at the break before the forwards overpowered the
Exiles for a bonus point win.
Bristol are still the favourites to win back promotion to
the top table. Eleven players have departed and Robinson has revamped his
coaching staff bringing in the likes of Adam Holley who has coached Ospreys,
Scarlets and involved with the Welsh national side. Key signings last season
and eight from Premiership clubs over the summer such as Wasps Nicky Robinson, Ulster’s
Adam D’Arcy, and Nick Koster on loan from Bath, give much cause for optimism as
well as added expectation. Chairman Chris Booy has said that ‘everything we now
do will be to that standard: Premiership standard, we have a goal for the
season. That’s promotion. No point in disguising it, it is what we all want’
Jersey met Bristol at the Memorial last season in what
was a season defining game for the home side. Bris’ were in terrible form, and
Jersey had a sniff at an unlikely scalp. The Islanders were only 11 points down
at the break despite conceding three tries. A red card for Ashley Maggs
following on from two others sin binned earlier on put paid to Jersey’s chances
and three tries in the last ten minutes gave the Bristolian’s a 39-16 bonus
point win, despite Richard Barrington’s late consolation. Back on the rock it
was a different story however, where a confident and resurgent Jersey was up
16-9 at the interval thanks to a great team try, finished off by new captain Nicky
Griffiths. Even with moments remaining and Jersey trailing by six, the win was
in sight and when James Gethings crashed over, a famous win seemed to have been
in the bag, only for the referee to controversially rule he had been held up
and left Jersey with only a solitary losing bonus point, much to the dismay of
the 3,000 plus crowd. Jerseys Director of Rugby Ben Harvey said of his team
that day: ‘I think they’ve been defeated because of a poor refereeing decision.’
After last weekend’s
stunning win, there is a new found respect for the men in red, echoed by the
Bristol Director of Rugby Andy Robinson. ‘Jersey had a good win against Bedford
Blues last weekend so we're under no illusions about how tough it will be. They
are a good side, especially at home. We did well to win there last season,
having to come from behind and pip them to the post late on.’ Jersey has always
had a good match day atmosphere, and this is now fast becoming a place revered
by visiting sides: ‘There's always a great atmosphere at St Peter’, Robinson
said. ‘It's like a cup game: a packed house and plenty of travelling
supporters. We're looking forward to going there. Jersey are very well coached and the Club
has a great structure. I've enjoyed many times in the Jersey Clubhouse – it's a
great Club and good people. I like the island and, as a Club, we're excited
about visiting.’
The home faithful should
be equally excited to welcome a side as big as Bristol and be able to compete
on a level playing field. Buoyed by last weekend’s win against Bedford,
a repeat of that commitment and desire, matched by any underestimation from
Bristol will give the Reds a sniff of another landmark victory.
(If Fit)
Name: Nicky Robinson
Born: 3rd January 1982
Position: Fly-Half
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 93kg
Nicky Robinson is one of
Bristol major signings this season. The Wales international fly half arrived
from London Wasps this summer having starred for the Cardiff Blues and
Gloucester having notched over 700 Premiership points in three seasons, only
injury disrupting his run last term. With 42 international points for Wales and
famed for his long range goal kicking, he is their marquee signing. Despite
missing the opening two games of the campaign through injury, he may well be
available to make his first team debut against Jersey.
Born: 12th December 1983
Position: Fly-Half
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 88kg
Adrian
Jarvis returned to Bristol Rugby from London Irish in the summer of 2012. The
England Saxon racked up 547 points in seventy-two appearances during his first
spell at the Memorial Stadium, before joining Leeds Carnegie on a short-term
deal. Jarvis was a lynchpin of the Bristol backline during the 2012/13 season,
scoring 180 points, 24 at St Peter including the match-winning try –showing
exactly what makes him one of the most revered number tens in the league. An
accurate kicker and excellent distributor, the composed fly half is a key
member of Andy Robinson’s first team squad.
Position: Flanker
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 105kg
Brother
of Moseley’s Chevvy, Redford returned to Bristol Rugby in January 2012, after
spending two seasons with Newcastle Falcons. The versatile flanker spent
four seasons at the Memorial Stadium after graduating through the Academy,
making a total of 58 appearances since his debut against Bath in October 2005. Pennycook, a former England
U18’s representative, made his return to the blue and white hoops versus London
Welsh. The home-grown star – a key member of Andy Robinson’s side – made a
total of twenty-three appearances during the 2012/13 campaign, scoring two
tries. Man of the Match last time Bris’ were in Jersey, as well as a try in the
game at Bristol, he will be a marked man this time out.
Born: 10th February 1983
Position: Prop
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 114.4kg
Jason
Hobson returned to Bristol from London Wasps in 2011. The prop joined
the Club in 2003, making sixty-two appearances before his departure. Since his return, Hobson
has proved a crucial member of the first team, making twenty-six appearances in
2011/12 and earning the prestigious Player's Player of the Year award. One of the most talented
front rowers in the league, the prop is revered by team-mates and supporters
for his committed displays and abrasive, if occasionally over-zealous, style of
rugby.
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