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How Bristol have rated 19-year-old Ioan Lloyd in his two Premiership starts at No10

(Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Bristol have given their feedback on the recent performances of Ioan Lloyd, the 19-year-old rookie out-half who has made consecutive starts in recent weeks in the No10 role having initially made his breakthrough at the Gallagher Premiership club as a winger and at full-back. 

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The Ashton Gate hammering of Bath and last weekend’s home loss to Sale was the first time the young Wales prospect had started in the Premiership for Bristol at out-half, Callum Sheedy’s involvement in Wales’ Guinness Six Nations campaign paving the way for Lloyd to be given a shot at being the Bears talisman. 

Whereas Lloyd was able to make 46 metres off eleven runs and put in 14 passes during his 56 minutes behind a dominant pack in the 46-point win versus Bath, he was restricted to 16 metres off seven carries (and 14 more passes) in last week’s 80-minute appearance in a seven-point loss to Sale where Bristol’s pack didn’t have things their own way. 

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Bristol scrum-half Harry Randall guests on RugbyPass All Access

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Bristol scrum-half Harry Randall guests on RugbyPass All Access

Lloyd is now looking ahead to his third out-half Premiership start this Friday night when Bristol travel to bottom side Gloucester and Bears coach Pat Lam has been satisfied with what he has seen so far from his budding new No10.

“Remember he is 19 years old, he has just had two games and they were contrasting. Bath, it was front foot, everything going well. Then he played a game under pressure and it is fair to say he would have got more learnings out of that game last weekend. 

“The thing I was really pleased with, in his one on one, they come with their learnings, the things they have done well and he was spot on. He pretty much had our notes. That is what you want, you make notes about a player to be able to give him feedback on and he already had that. 

“I have also seen in this week’s training just the lift in his communication and his understanding of control because as we said to him playing ten is different from playing wing and full-back. Wing and full-back you are in and out of the game whereas at 10 it’s not about what you do as an individual like at full-back or wing, it’s more about what you do to control the game. 

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“Him and Andy (Uren, scrum-half) haven’t had much time together but Ioan in that position I thought he did extremely well and he is growing in there. This is class. What Ioan is getting there is hugely beneficial.” 

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Hellhound 14 minutes ago
What has happened to Aphelele Fassi?

Willie will always be the most missed player for me once he retires. He wasn't interested in scoring tries. The ultimate team player. Has the most assists in tries in the Bok team, and his kicks always spot on, at least 95% of the time. He reads the game like no other player can. He wasn't flashy, and people didn't notice him because of that. Great rugby head and knowledge. He should be catapulted into an assistant coach in the rugby system. He should really consider coaching.


Damian Willemse is an excellent fullback and he is the number 1 fullback. He can play the entire backline positions, except maybe 9, but I'm sure he would be able too if he wanted. No one is taking that away from him, only stand in while he is injured. He is world class and you don't swap that out. He also got wicked dancing feet, great eye for openings, and reads a game like few can, like Willie Le Roux. Also very strong on his feet, with absolute great hands and his kicking game is just as good.


As for Aphelele Fassi. What a great find and he has exceptional talent that Rassie will mould into a world class player. Yet.... He is nowhere even close to Damien Willemse. He has a long way to go to get there, but he is surrounded by great team mates from who he will gain lots of advice and support. He can play wing and fullback and Rassie may just try him out as a flyhalf or centre too. He has the abilities to expand his game. He is for sure a future star, but not yet at the stage to take away Damien Willemse's spot. However, DW start and AF on the bench, that is an awesome replacement. Between the 2 they cover all positions in the backline once AF gets that training. The Boks could go 6/2 permanently if they wanted. 6 forwards, a scrumhalf and AF. I may be wrong, but Rassie will spread AF around.

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R
RedWarrior 55 minutes ago
'They smelt it': Scott Robertson says Italy sensed All Blacks' vulnerability

I think Italy were always targetting this match and intended to win. They needed to exorcise the 2023 RWC. I think they could have done with a bit more help from other 6Ns particularly from Ireland to knock more holes in NZ and their confidence.

Mentioned before the Italy Argentina match was a virus that ripped through the Italy camp early that week. In general play Italy were competitive albeit with a high error count and crucial missed tackles.

Ive said it before the era of NZ turning up unprepared for all comers and triumphing is definitively over. If a Tier1 team target NZ and NZ do not prepare accordingly they are in with a major chance of losing. It used to occur the odd time in RWCs against France, now it can occur v any Tier1. The competition has improved. NZ can still be at the top but their talents must be deployed sufficiently into dismantling teams as with their attack then allowed to exploit.

They dismantled Ireland pretty well in Dublin which went largely unnoticed. That allowed them scoreboard advantage and attacking opportunities of which one was enough.

That Italian team beat Wales and significantly Scotland last year. They used the loss to NZ in the most positive way possible. No doubt NZ prepared but I would assume it was similar to versus Argentina: 3/4 arsed at best. These test matches are rare and this was another chance to practice dismantling a determined and prepared opponent which was lost. If Italy had scored a 7 pointer at 17-6....an Italian win was on.

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