Bristol set for Gloucester test
Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:24
Bristol Rugby make just two changes to the side that beat Northampton last Sunday as they prepare to travel to Kingsholm for the Friday night clash with Gloucester.
Both changes are tactical as Luke Arscott returns at full back after successfully coming through his comeback match for the United following a finger injury.
And tight head prop Darren Crompton, having built up his match fitness over the past few weeks, makes his first Guinness Premiership start of the season replacing Jason Hobson.
Head Coach Richard Hill admitted that last Sunday's victory over Northampton Saints in the Guinness Premiership had been a real boost for the squad.
"The players have been superb. They've always kept their faith in themselves and are highly motivated. But there's no doubt that there's been a huge sense of relief after last weekend's victory and has lifted the pressure off a lot of peoples shoulders."
"So, it's been a good week and always much better to talk about winning than losing and gives us a huge boost for a big local derby this Friday."
Asked whether the match being a local derby makes it any bigger than any other Guinness Premiership match.
"Every game is a big game. It doesn't matter who you are or what you've done. If you're not playing well then this league is pretty unforgiving. You can find yourself down the bottom in no time at all."
"Gloucester are one of the best teams in the league and, in the past, when they've played well against us they've put a few points on the board."
"We've had some very close games at Kingsholm and we've been beaten handsomely. Gloucester will probably see this as a 5 pointer and we've got to go there and make sure that doesn't happen."
Bristol: 15 Luke Arscott, 14 Tom Arscott, 13 Neil Brew, 12 Ed Barnes, 11 David Lemi, 10 Adrian Jarvis, 9 Graeme Beveridge, 8 Dan Ward-Smith, 7 Joe El Abd (c), 6 Alfie To'oala, 5
Robert Sidoli, 4 Roy Winters, 3 Darren Crompton, 2 Mark Regan, 1 Alex Clarke.
Replacements: 16 Scott Linklater, 17 Peter Bracken, 18 Mariano Sambucetti, 19 Iain Grieve, 20 Shaun Perry, 21 Luke Eves, 22 Lee Robinson.
Date: Friday, November 21
Venue: Kingsholm
Kick-off: 19:45 GMT
Referee: Andrew Small
Touch judges: Bob Mullis, Alan Biggs
TMO: Matt Peters, David Matthews
With thanks to www.bristolrugby.com
