Bristol go into it bottom of the table. They are only nine points off fifth-placed Gloucester and London Irish’s victory against Saracens last Friday demonstrated just how competitive the league is. Nonetheless, the Bears could really do with building on the momentum of two Challenge Cup victories to head into 2023 upwardly mobile. “The bottom of the Premiership is not normal, ” said the director of rugby, Pat Lam, who makes six changes and welcomes back the England loosehead prop Ellis Genge. “Everyone has a chance of making the top four. We’re down to 11 teams, maybe 10 [in the future], and the spread of Wasps and Worcester players around the league means the quality has gone up. “Every game for us is massive now. We have one more game against Quins and then we’re halfway.
Bristol meanwhile, recall Ellie Mulhearn to the front row in place of the injured England international Sarah Bern, in one of two changes to the lineup that defeated Loughborough Lightning last week. Guardian sportPhotograph: Phil Walter/The RFU CollectionQuins are third in the table and can leapfrog Sale into second with victory. Last time out they overcame Racing 92 in dreadful conditions, a win that keeps alive their Champions Cup challenge even if it goes down as 80 forgettable minutes. As a result, and with the weather set fair on Tuesday, the Harlequins coach, Tabai Matson, who is able to call on the services of the returning Joe Marler, is hoping these two sides can put on a show for those supporters who can still attend. “It will be two positive teams going at it, ” he said.
Mathematically, we can [reach the playoffs]. It would be the greatest comeback if we did because no one has done it from this position. I don’t think the table reflects ability, it reflects application and attitude and that’s the challenge. We’ve had lapses which lead to fundamental mistakes, we’ve had key injuries. ”Quick GuidePacker returns for QuinsShowThe scrum-half Lucy Packer returns to the Harlequins XV to take on Bristol in Tuesday's double-header at the Stoop for the first time since being parachuted into England's starting lineup on the morning of their World Cup final defeat in November. The England prop Shaunagh Brown will play her final game before retirement on the blindside flank. The hosts have lost their captain, Rachael Burford, to an injury suffered during last week's defeat by Exeter Chiefs, meaning the hooker Amy Cokayne and the fly-half Emily Scott share leadership duties against the Bears.
It leaves both clubs counting the cost, with Harlequins’ short trip to Twickenham delayed until March for a Six Nations fallow week and the meeting on Tuesday between the two now taking place at the Stoop with frustrations to vent. The bells and whistles that accompany Harlequins’s annual big game are absent but this fixture, which will mark the halfway point in the recalibrated season for the remaining 11 teams, has significance for both.
“I’m looking forward to it, we’ve had a couple of slow games but I’m expecting this to be a fast game. This game in particular is really important. Get a result here and you pull away a bit from the teams in fifth and sixth. “Where we all sit in the table is a fairly good indicator that we have a fair league. We’re completely disregarding where Bristol are in the table. The competition is fair and hard, it’s the hardest league in the world. “We want to deliver a performance for the people who are disappointed they’re at the Stoop, and not Twickenham. A lot of people well above me were working tirelessly to try and find a solution.
Live Stream Bristol Bears – Harlequins 5 hours ago — Watch Live Stream Online Bristol Bears - Harlequins (28.10.23). Live Stream Rugby Union îíëàéí. - Live.
Joe Marler may be cited for 'p--- poor' comment about Jake 27 Dec 2022 — Referee: Mr K Dickson. As it happened. Live Reporting. Related Stories Harlequins Rugby, · Bristol Rugby, · Gallagher Premiership. 103 ...
Harlequins and Bristol look to vent festive frustration in pivotal clashFor Harlequins and Bristol there is a sense of frustration over their festive fixtures. The match on Tuesday between the two sides ought to be taking place at Twickenham – an annual tradition for Harlequins, who tend to head into January with a spring in their step and their coffers boosted as a result. Bristol, meanwhile, were supposed to be their opponents at HQ, then hosting their own new year’s bash against Wasps next weekend. For varying reasons – transport logistics brought on by train strikes in Harlequins’ case, and Wasps’ demise in Bristol’s – neither is happening as planned.
How to watch Gallagher Premiership rugby, round 4 - iNews 8 Oct 2021 — How to watch Gallagher Premiership rugby, round 4: TV channel, live stream, fixtures and highlights Harlequins vs Bristol Bears. 7:45pm, Fri 8 ...
