Piutau and Purdy to miss Challenge Cup final, injury doubts over some other Bristol players
Injured Bristol backs Charles Piutau and Henry Purdy will miss Friday’s European Challenge Cup final clash against Toulon on Friday and rugby director Pat Lam is also assessing lock Chris Vui (calf muscle) and No8 Nathan Hughes (ribs), who suffered knocks during the Gallagher Premiership play-off loss to Wasps three days ago.
Full-back Piutau and wing Purdy have been sidelined for recent Bristol games because of achilles and hamstring injuries, respectively. Max Malins wore the No15 shirt against Wasps, with Piers O’Conor on the wing.
“There are a few niggles we have got to overcome before Friday, so I have given the guys as much time as possible. Obviously, Nathan Hughes and Chris Vui from the weekend, but the game has come too early for Charles Piutau and Henry Purdy,” said Bristol boss Lam.
“They won’t be making it for this week. It has naturally been quite a light couple of days of training to make sure we have a full tank and are ready to go for Friday.”
Bristol will need to bounce back quickly from a 47-24 drubbing at the Ricoh Arena as they target their first European trophy. English clubs have won eleven of the 23 previous Challenge Cup finals, with Bristol and Toulon both unbeaten in this season’s tournament.
A low-scoring nail-biter could be on the cardshttps://t.co/Ed68HcYD0Z
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 13, 2020
They meet at the 6,000-capacity Stade Maurice David in Aix-en-Provence, 20 miles from Marseille, with the Bristol squad travelling on Thursday via a charter flight, then returning first thing Saturday morning. “With Covid, we have to be in the hotel, we can’t leave the hotel and it’s a 9pm kick-off,” Lam added.
“We have a chartered plane on Thursday, we are the only ones in the hotel and it is about eight miles from the ground. We will have a police escort and straight in there to the ground. Then up early the next day out and back in Bristol by 10.30am on Saturday.”
Reflecting on the Wasps result, Lam said: “The thing that is pleasing is that wasn’t the end (of the season) last week. We didn’t give a good account of ourselves. This week, at the end of the 80 minutes, there is a cup at the end of it.
“We all understand the enormity of the challenge, and this is where we want to be every year at the business end. This is the last time we plan on being in this competition as we move on to the Champions Cup next year, and hopefully the year after that.”
The Bristol squad and staff will have a three-week break ahead of next season, which starts on November 22 – against Wasps in Coventry – following a 13th game in just 53 days.
“This is just a three-week winter break if you like,” Lam added. “The boys know they have to look after themselves and be ready as soon as we come back. We will get a break with our families – it’s tough we don’t get a chance to go home or take them somewhere warmer. I will probably go to Center Parcs or somewhere local.
“The support staff and coaches, the midweek games – you review one, preview another – and it is happening quickly. Some of us don’t know the time of the day or what day it is.
“The families have been great as it has been tough on them, but we are committed and it is what we enjoy doing and we all love our jobs, but it is about getting the balance right.”
"I definitely believe I wouldn't be the player I am if I hadn't been told from a young age I was too small"@harry_thacker talks @BristolBears , Pat Lam, leaving Leicester Tigers & the difference it makes when someone believes in you, with @heagneyl 👨💻https://t.co/xZh0FnE9p1
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 13, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
Quite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
10 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
3 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
2 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
10 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
10 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
3 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
3 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
10 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
10 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
10 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
10 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
10 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
10 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to comments