- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 464,936
- Reaction score
- 44
You must be registered for see images attach
Bristol Bears’ Viliame Mata scored their sixth and final try late on - PA/Nigel French
Bristol Bears 36 Bath 14
You must be registered for see images attach
Bristol Bears survived four yellow cards to power their way to a crucial bonus-point win and keep themselves firmly in the battle for the Premiership play-off places.
Max Lahiff, Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Joe Batley and Viliame Mata were all sent to the sin-bin during this pulsating, action-packed affair with Bristol grabbing West Country bragging rights in Cardiff.
Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam said: “It was a massive effort from everyone. The discipline was not great but we got what we wanted...a bonus-point win. We are right in there with a chance of top four and need to grasp it.”
The Principality Stadium turned into a corner of the West Country for a short time with blue and white decked Bath and Bristol fans flooding across the border into Wales for the Big Day Out.
Tries from Gabriel Ibitoye, Rich Lane, Gabriel Oghre, Fitz Harding, Will Capon and Mata helped them overcome their rivals who had taken an early lead through fly-half Ciaran Donoghue but were unable to crack the strong Bears defence even when they were reduced to 13 men on two occasions.
Referee Luke Pearce would have expected a busy day in charge of two huge rivals, fired up and ready for a real toe-to-toe encounter at the home of Welsh rugby. But he probably never thought he would issue four yellow cards to one side – equalling a record for the Premiership.
Bath sent out a weakened side, resting their star players having already clinched a home play-off berth and with the European Challenge Cup Final in mind. So Finn Russell and Will Stuart – picked in the Lions squad for Australia earlier in the week – were interested onlookers rather than participants. There was one Lion on show, England prop Ellis Genge, who came through 70 impressive minutes, clearly energised by his selection by Andy Farrell and keen to show off his front-row skills.
Genge was yet again a real catalyst for Bristol’s go-forward, momentum-driven rugby. And it proved too good for a Bath side which failed to match its own attacking prowess with defensive solidity and strength.
Match details
Scoring sequence: 0-5 (Donoghue try), 0-7 (Donoghue con), 5-7 (Ibitoye try), 10-7 (Lane try), 12-7 (MacGinty con), 17-7 (Oghre try), 19-7 (MacGinty con);half-time; 24-7 (Harding try), 26-7 (MacGinty con), 26-12 (Richards try), 26-14 (Donoghue con), 31-14 (Capon try), 36-14 (Mata try).
Bristol: R Lane; K Ravouvou (S Naulago 74), B J van Rensburg, J Williams, G Ibitoye; A J MacGinty, H Randall (K Marmion 59); E Genge (Y Thomas 69), G Oghre (W Capon 71), M Lahiff (G Kloska 50) J Caulfield (J Dun 40), J Batley (J Owen 70); S Luatua (S Grondona 47), F Harding (c), V Mata.
Sin-bins: Bristol (Lahiff 12, Janse van Rensburg 18, Batley 59, Mata 61)
Bath: T de Glanville; J Cokanasiga, L Hennessey, O Bailey, A Emens (R McConnochie 72); C Donoghue, L Schreuder (T Carr-Smith 64); F van Wyk (A Cordwell 58), J Spandler (K Tuipulotu 46), A Griffin (K Verden 58); E Richards (c) (W Jeanes 63), R Malony (W Jeanes 51, Malony 57); J Bayfield, E Staddon (M Reid 48), A Green (T Cowan 69).
Referee: Luke Pearce
Star Man: Harding (Bristol)
05:35 PM BST
Thanks for joining us
That brings our coverage of Bristol’s victory over Bath to an end as Pat Lam’s side climb back up to third in the Premiership with a 36-14 triumph over their West Country rivals at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. Thanks for joining us!
You must be registered for see images attach
Bristol Bears’ Viliame Mata scores Bristol’s final try - PA/Nigel French
05:26 PM BST
‘Bristol need to feel they’re playing Bath every week’, says Lam
On Bristol’s work in the breakdown, Pat Lam told TNT Sports: “We talked about their breakdown but when I go back and look at videos, this is the 14th time we’ve played them, we’ve won 11, we’ve never lost at home, but you go and look at all those games and the breakdown just goes to another level.
“What I’ve got to try and make them feel is that they’re playing Bath every week, because the motivation and the way they go, but that was an area, we knew we needed to win that battle, 100% we worked on that this week.”
05:20 PM BST
‘The defensive effort was huge’ - Lam on Bristol victory
Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam has told TNT Sports: “It’s a brilliant league, every team is trying to play rugby, every team is putting their bodies on the line. Every game is pretty much a final, except for Bath who are already there.”
On the approach today to kick more than usual, he said: “We prepared for Bath, you have to get to half-time and be in the fight, that’s the one thing we noticed.
“They’ve got so many forwards coming on so we talked about how we could make them work so we changed a few things. It’s always my worry when you introduce more kicking, they just want to kick, kick. There’s times we should have taken them on but fair play, when we were down to 13 men twice, the defensive effort was huge.”
05:09 PM BST
WATCH: Capon seals win with Bristol’s fifth try of the afternoon
05:07 PM BST
How the table looks
Bristol move back up to third in the Gallagher Premiership, three points ahead of Sale, who lost to second-placed Leicester Tigers on Friday night.
Saracens have moved level with Sale thanks to their win over Newcastle but trail on points difference, meaning they stay outside the play-off spots.
Bath failed to extend their lead at the top of the division but have already secured top spot and a home play-off semi final.
05:05 PM BST
Elsewhere this afternoon
Bristol’s win has proved to be particularly important with Saracens registering a thumping 75-28 win over Newcastle Falcons.
They will now be hoping Harlequins can get a result against Gloucester, who started the day one point behind Bristol. That one kicks off at 17:30 BST.
05:02 PM BST
Late flurry from Bristol
You must be registered for see images attach
Siva Naulago was in the mood to do some damage after coming on and the wing flew up the right wing towards the line. He was superbly tackled by Donoghue but Bristol regathered and the supporting Will Capon dashed over to put the game beyond Bath.
The last word was left to Mata with the big forward showing his pace and energy to burst across for the final Bears try in the sixth and last try in the final minute. Bath were out on their feet and Bristol celebrate a huge win.
04:57 PM BST
Full time: Bristol Bears 36 Bath 14
That try was virtually the last action of the game and Bristol earn a massive win over their West Country rivals at the Principality Stadium as they look to hang on to their play-off spot.
04:56 PM BST
TRY! Bristol running riot as Mata scores home side’s sixth
Bristol Bears 36 Bath 14 (Mata) The crossfield kick is played out to Naulago on the right and he does superbly to tap it back into play for Mata, who collects and drives down the right flank to cross in the corner.
Once again, the conversion is missed but the hosts have a 22 point lead now.
04:54 PM BST
TRY! Capon adds a fifth for Bristol
Bristol Bears 31 Bath 14 (Capon) Following the turnover, the ball is kicked out to Naulago who shows superb acceleration to burst down the right flank. He looks set to go all the way but Donoghue gets over to make a sensational tackle.
The ball is worked inside to Capon, though, and he peels away from the ruck before charging to the corner for Bristol’s fifth try of the afternoon.
The conversion isn’t there but it shouldn’t matter now.
04:51 PM BST
76 mins: Bristol Bears 26 Bath 14
Bath threaten down their left but Lane bides his time to make the tackle on the outside man in the corner and he forces the handling error. Superb defending from the full-back.
Bath are quickly coming back, though, and get within a few metres of the line down their right this time but Bristol turn it over again!
04:49 PM BST
75 mins: Bristol Bears 26 Bath 14
Bristol are back up to 15 players and have a chance to extend their advantage as Bath give away the penalty at the breakdown.
The home side opt to kick for the posts but MacGinty pushes it wide and Bath remain within two scores.
04:47 PM BST
72 mins: Bristol Bears 26 Bath 14
Bristol have Batley back on the pitch and only have another minute or two before they’re back up to 15. Bath hope to make the most of the final minutes with the player advantage but spill it as they reach the Bristol 22.
It felt like the visitors had all the momentum as the yellows were handed out but they have really failed to capitalise since. It’s been a really big 10 minutes from the home side.
04:43 PM BST
70 mins: Bristol Bears 26 Bath 14
Bayliss claims the loose ball as Bristol spill it and carries it superbly to create a two-on-one on the left but his final pass out to Emens goes into touch and was forward anyway. He had done the hard bit!
04:42 PM BST
69 mins: Bristol Bears 26 Bath 14
Bath come forward once more, looking to make the extra men count, but Williams forces the turnover on halfway and they are just a couple of minutes away from being restored to 14.
Marmion’s kick goes almost completely vertical but Janse van Rensburg does well to claim it and Bristol continue to come forward.
04:39 PM BST
66 mins: Bristol Bears 26 Bath 14
You must be registered for see images attach
Skipper Richards, however, makes up for his error by taking a pass in mid-field and breaking through at pace toward the the line. Bath have renewed hope as the lock powers over near the posts and the conversion is good from Donoghue.
Bristol are losing their discipline big time and also players! Two more to the sin bin making it four so far!
Lock Joe Batley is shown a yellow card for tackling a man while lying on the ground at a ruck. Not a wise move! Referee Luke Pearce takes out a FOURTH yellow card moments later. Bristol are down to 13 men and on the rack with this time no8 Viliame Mata sent to the sin bin for foul play as Bath are camped on their line.
04:38 PM BST
65 mins: Bristol Bears 26 Bath 14
Bristol win the foul at the scrum with Bath not driving straight and you feel that is a big chance missed by the visitors.
The home side can clear into touch and will have the line-out on their left.
04:36 PM BST
64 mins: Bristol Bears 26 Bath 14
You must be registered for see images attach
Bath walk out for the second half needing a quick response. But you sense the Bears have their teeth well and truly into this contest now and are ready to inflict more damage and pain. And it takes them just three minutes to growl again. Having had a rest to recharge their batteries they produce another ferocious drive leads to flanker Fitz Harding dropping down with ball in hand before climbing to his feet to claim the bonus point try.
Replacement lock Will Jeaves thinks he has made a dream debut just seconds after entering the battle. But, after crashing over from close range his try is ruled out for a forward pass to him by Richards.
04:36 PM BST
63 mins: Bristol Bears 26 Bath 14
The referee’s warning doesn’t seem to have got through to the Bristol players as Mata is penalised for an offside and he sees yellow, so for a second time in this game, Bristol are down to 13.
Bath make another charge for the line but they spill it this time and Bristol somehow survive this barrage of pressure. Can they get through this next seven minutes while down to 13.
04:34 PM BST
62 mins: Bristol Bears 26 Bath 14
Bath work the ball out to the left and Emens looks set to cross in the corner but Lane gets across to make a sensational recovery tackle, dragging the winger into touch.
Play is brought back for another offside from Bristol and referee Luke Pearce warns Harding about his team’s fouls.
04:32 PM BST
61 mins: Bristol Bears 26 Bath 14
Donoghue produces a really clever crossfield kick into the right corner that just pulls up before going into touch and Bristol can only kick it away into touch.
Following the line-out, Batley looks to grab the ball out of the hands of the Bath player while on the floor and he sees yellow.
04:30 PM BST
58 mins: Bristol Bears 26 Bath 14
Bath have their tails up now and some really swift passing from Donoghue and De Glanville works the ball out to Emens out on the left.
He looks like he’s in down the flank but Williams pulls off a sensational and crucial tap tackle to stop the attack.
04:28 PM BST
TRY! Richards powers through to reduce Bath deficit
Bristol Bears 26 Bath 14 (Richards) Lane gets his kick wrong as Bristol look to break with pace, kicking straight into touch, and Bath will have the line-out in the home side’s half.
The visitors work it out to the left before bringing it back inside and Richards is able to sell the defender, looking like he will play the pass on one more, and he creates a gap to come back and dart through to cross under the posts.
The conversion is there from Donoghue and the deficit is back to 12 points.
04:25 PM BST
54 mins: Bristol Bears 26 Bath 7
Dun puts in a massive tackle, which forces the turnover, but the play is brought back for Bristol not rolling away in a previous ruck and Bath can kick into touch beyond the 22.
The visitors work it inside from the line-out before popping it back outside with some really quick hands and Jeanes is able to cross on his Premiership debut a couple of minutes after coming on.
There will be a TMO check, though, and replays shown one of the final passes in the move was forward. What a shame for the debutant.
04:20 PM BST
51 mins: Bristol Bears 26 Bath 7
Donoghue spills it and the ball is retrieved by Ibitoye who is able to pull off the 50-22. Bath nick it at the line-out though and can clear.
The ball lands with Lane who goes for another 50-22 but it just drifts out on the full.
04:19 PM BST
48 mins: Bristol Bears 26 Bath 7
Bath are looking for the instant response and work the ball really nicely from left to right but get the final pass wrong as they burst down the right flank into the Bristol 22.
There was an enormous hit from Ravouvou on Donoghue in that move, the fly-half actually did really well to get the pass off but did get flattened immediately after.
04:14 PM BST
TRY! Harding earns try bonus point with Bristol’s fourth
Bristol Bears 26 Bath 7 (Harding) Bath clear but the hosts are quickly coming back as Ibitoye drives powerfully through the visiting defence to take his side into the 22.
Ravouvou shows some quick feet down the right to take the hosts within a couple metres of the line before captain Harding bundles over to earn Bristol the try bonus point.
MacGinty converts and it’s a really healthy lead for Bristol now.
04:11 PM BST
41 mins: Bristol Bears 19 Bath 7
The second period is started by a series of kicks from either side before De Glanville calls the mark beyond the Bath try-line. The ball looked set to run out but stopped inches short.
04:08 PM BST
41 mins: Bristol Bears 19 Bath 7
We are back underway at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff with MacGinty and Bristol kicking the second period off going from right to left.
Can Bath get themselves back in this one or will the hosts hold on to a crucial victory?
04:05 PM BST
Bristol land sucker punch on brink of half-time
You must be registered for see images attach
The Bath fans were certainly raising the temperature even further as their side lay seige to the Bears line. Thrust after thrust failed to get the desired results with captain for the day, lock Ewan Richards just failing to get over it. He was held up and another couple of efforts were thwarted by some desperate and impressive Bears defiance.
Bristol soaked up the blows and went back on the offence. They supplied the sucker punch firmly to the Bath chin. A break down field led to a line-out driving maul allowing hooker Gabriel Oghre the opportunity to claim a third try. MacGinty’s conversion brought the half-time whistle.
Bears have overcome their two yellow cards to take something of a firm hold on things with a 19-7 lead.
04:03 PM BST
Elsewhere this afternoon
Elsewhere in the Gallagher Premiership, Saracens are currently 33-14 up against Newcastle Falcons, and with the London side just three points behind Bristol coming into this weekend, victory is looking even more crucial for Pat Lam’s men this afternoon.
04:01 PM BST
Bath take lead but Bristol respond
You must be registered for see images attach
Bath’s Ciaran Donoghue scores the opening try of the game - PA/Nigel French
You must be registered for see images attach
Gabriel Ibitoye of Bristol Bears scores his side’s first try - Getty Images/Dan Mullan
03:55 PM BST
Half-time: Bristol Bears 19 Bath 7
MacGinty’s conversion is the final action of this opening period and it’s Bristol who have the advantage at the break after coming from behind to lead 19-7.
03:54 PM BST
TRY! Oghre crosses for Bristol’s third late in first half
Bristol Bears 19 Bath 7 (Oghre) Bristol earn the line-out in the corner down their right flank and show superb power in the maul to cross in the corner through Oghre.
The conversion is there and the home side have a sizeable lead now at the end of this first half.
03:51 PM BST
39 mins: Bristol Bears 12 Bath 7
Bath are penalised for tapping the ball out of Randall’s hands on the edge of the Bristol 22 and the scrum-half takes it quickly before darting through the visitors’ defence.
He goes for the kick and chase and, despite De Glanville sweeping up well to gather it, Randall and Ibitoye counter-ruck superbly to force the full-back over his own try-line and Bristol will have the scrum.
03:49 PM BST
38 mins: Bristol Bears 12 Bath 7
You must be registered for see images attach
The noise is ramping up even more so as both sides go toe to toe...defence now a distant memory!
Bears shrug off their inferior numbers to start taking control with two finely worked tries as the Bath defence was cracked to easily.
Firstly, wing Gabriel Ibitoye darts over in one corner, putting the finishing touches to a sweeping move.
Then van Rensburg returns to the fray to play a leading part in another fierce attack, supplying the try-scoring pass to the supporting full-back Rich Lane to stroll across.
AJ MacGinty adds the extras and the complexion of the contest has changed rapidly.
03:48 PM BST
37 mins: Bristol Bears 12 Bath 7
With Bristol coming forward, Richard nicks it and has green grass ahead of him to run into. He carries it 60 metres but is eventually tackled by the recovering Bristol players before he can reach the 22.
Bath are quick to offer support though and can drive to within a metre of the line through Staddon. Green looks to make the final dart over the line but he is held up. Superb defending from Bristol.
03:45 PM BST
34 mins: Bristol Bears 12 Bath 7
You must be registered for see images attach
It was an action packed opening but both sides failed to capitalise on their chances to break the deadlock. It eventually needed a fine charge down by Bath with the ball bouncing kindly to Joe Cokanasiga who was waiting for the opportunity.
He gathered the ball and off-loaded to Ciaran Donoghue. The fly-half sauntered over for the opening try and the conversion moved the leaders 7-0 ahead.
Bristol lost a second player to the sin bin with hard-hitting centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg also shown a yellow for a dangerous hit.
03:43 PM BST
TRY! Lane crosses for quickfire Bristol second as hosts take lead
Bristol Bears 12 Bath 7 (Lane) Spandler’s line-out down Bath’s left isn’t straight and Bristol will have the scrum inside the opposition half as they are restored to 15 men.
They immediately make it count as they work it out to the left before Janse van Rensburg makes a line-breaking run and offloads to Lane, who shows great pace to cross in the corner.
The conversion is there this time from MacGinty and it’s a five-point lead for the hosts.
️ @BristolBears turn on the style as they move the ball out wide with pace and take the lead through Rich Lane!#GallagherPrem | #BRIvBAT | #BigDayOutpic.twitter.com/dvNPyUpiNc
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) May 10, 2025
03:40 PM BST
30 mins: Bristol Bears 5 Bath 7
You must be registered for see images attach
Bristol and Bath are roared on by a large passionate crowd bathing in the Cardiff sun. But it is a yellow card for prop Max Lahiff which knocks the Bears back on their heels.
The forward is given ten minutes rest for deliberate offside denying Bath as they went on the search for the first try. It is not the start Pat Lam’s side wanted as they seek a vital win in the bid for the play-offs.
03:38 PM BST
TRY! Ibidoye reduces Bristol’s deficit
Bristol Bears 5 Bath 7 (Ibidoye) Oghre goes for the kick and chase down Bristol’s right flank and does well to force the line-out as Bath can only boot it into touch.
The home side work it from right to left and nearly cross in the corner through Lane. Bath get numbers back well to initially prevent the try but Ibitoye picks and goes from the breakdown to cross for Bristol.
The conversion is wayward from MacGinty but they have reduced their deficit to two points.
03:35 PM BST
25 mins: Bristol Bears 0 Bath 7
Bath knock it on following their line-out down the left and Bristol can pounce, gaining possession on the edge of the visitors’ 22.
MacGinty goes for the deft kick over the top but it drifts too far and Bath can claim before calling the mark. Lahiff is back on following his yellow card.
03:33 PM BST
23 mins: Bristol Bears 0 Bath 7
Randall goes for the 50-22 but it’s not quite there and Bath can clear.
Bristol then create a two-on-one on the right flank but the final pass is wayward and out for a Bath line-out.
03:30 PM BST
19 mins: Bristol Bears 0 Bath 7
Things boil over from the restart as Janse van Rensburg illegally clears out the Bath man claiming the long kick and the visiting side are really not happy with the Bristol players.
Janse van Rensburg goes into the sin bin and Bristol are down to 13 for the next four minutes.
Referee Luke Pearce is also not happy with the way Ellis Genge was speaking to the Bath players so Bristol are certainly not in the good books at the moment.
03:27 PM BST
TRY! Donoghue gives Bath the lead
Bristol Bears 0 Bath 7 (Donoghue) Bath’s kick on halfway is charged down by MacGinty but Cokanasiga reacts the quickest to claim the loose ball and charge into the Bristol 22.
The winger holds off a couple of challenges before offloading to Donoghue who can cross for the opening try of the day.
The fly-half converts and Bath make the extra man pay.
03:24 PM BST
16 mins: Bristol Bears 0 Bath 0
Bath have the line-out on halfway and work it inside to Donoghue, who shows an excellent burst of pace to break the defensive line but his offload is spilt and Bristol will have the scrum.
03:23 PM BST
15 mins: Bristol Bears 0 Bath 0
From the line-out down the right, Bath work it out to the left this time and go close to crossing in the corner but Bristol force the turnover through Janse van Rensburg.
A really important intervention after a huge spell of pressure from the visitors.
03:21 PM BST
13 mins: Bristol Bears 0 Bath 0
Bath can kick for the corner once more inside the 22 and quickly earn the advantage once again, with Bristol offside once again. The visitors look to bundle over the line but are held up and play is brought back.
An identical sequence of play follows as Bath are held up but Bristol are penalised for offside and this time Lahiff is given the yellow card for the accumulation of offsides.
03:19 PM BST
11 mins: Bristol Bears 0 Bath 0
Oghre is penalised for having his hands on the floor in the ruck and Donoghue can find touch down Bath’s right for the attacking line-out inside Bristol’s 22.
Bath work it inside and earn the advantage as they go within a couple of metres from the line with Bristol coming into the breakdown from an offside position.
Donoghue goes for the low kick out to the left to Emens but Bristol sweep up and play is brought back.
03:17 PM BST
9 mins: Bristol Bears 0 Bath 0
Bristol apply the pressure once more following the line-out as they go within 10 metres but it’s stolen by the visitors.
Batley charges down Schreuder’s box-kick once again, though, before Donoghue’s subsequent clearance is also blocked and Bristol can gather the ball inside the Bath 22.
The visitors survive the square and after a chaotic sequence of play can clear close to halfway.
03:14 PM BST
7 mins: Bristol Bears 0 Bath 0
Randall peels around the back of the ruck and darts down the left flank to get Bristol get to within five metres of the line but Mata spills it and Bath are let off the hook.
From the scrum, Schreuder’s kick is sliced and doesn’t make it out of the Bath 22 before finding touch.
03:12 PM BST
5 mins: Bristol Bears 0 Bath 0
Bristol force the turnover and will have the scrum inside the Bath half. It’s been a really physical start from the hosts against a second-string Bath outfit.
The home side are given the free-kick at the scrum and work it out to their right before Bath win it back, but Batley charges down the box-kick and the pressure is on Bristol here.
Schreuder gets the box-kick clear on his next attempt, though.
03:09 PM BST
3 mins: Bristol Bears 0 Bath 0
Janse van Rensburg makes a massive hit on Bailey but Oghre gives away the foul at the breakdown and the visitors can kick into touch in line with the 22 down their left hand side.
Bath’s handling is poor following the line-out and Ibitoye looks to break with pace but the league leaders sweep up the grubber kick through.
03:06 PM BST
1 min: Bristol Bears 0 Bath 0
We are underway at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff with Bath and Donoghue kicking things off going from right to left.
03:05 PM BST
Players emerge from the tunnel
With Bath already out on the pitch. the Principality descends into darkness before Bristol make their way out of the tunnel to a light show and all the pyrotechnics fitting of a ‘Big Day Out’. Kick-off is just moments away.
03:02 PM BST
Kick-off approaching
We are less than five minutes away from kick-off at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. It should be a terrific atmosphere in the Welsh capital this afternoon.
But which of the West Country sides will come out on top? Pat Lam will be desperate it’s his men with a play-off place now looking precarious with just three games to go this season. The action begins shortly.
02:58 PM BST
Bath set for exciting finish to successful season
League leaders Bath ensured they will finish top of the division two weeks ago with a 55-19 victory over bottom-of-the-table Newcastle Falcons, guaranteeing them a home play-off semi-final with three games to spare.
And having progressed into the final of the Challenge Cup with a 39-24 victory away at Edinburgh last weekend, Bath remain on course for a treble with the Premiership Rugby Cup already in the bag.
They have now won their last 10 matches in all competitions but will do well to continue that record this afternoon with Van Graan fielding a much-weakened side.
02:54 PM BST
Bristol’s dip in form
Upon the Premiership’s resumption in March following Premiership Rugby Cup action, Bristol returned to winning ways in the league with a 52-38 victory over Exeter Chiefs.
However, they have lost their three games since then, losing out against Gloucester, Leicester Tigers and Northampton Saints.
Can they return to winning ways this afternoon against a heavily-rotated Bath side to get their play-off charge back on track?
02:50 PM BST
Big Day Out in Cardiff
Checking in for #BigDayOut
— Bristol Bears (@BristolBears) May 10, 2025
02:48 PM BST
Van Graan afforded luxury of rotation
You must be registered for see images attach
Johann van Graan has the luxury of giving many of his double-chasing Bath stars some much needed rest from the coal face having already sealed their home Premiership play off berth.
His men head into the usually passionate and rousing derby with Bristol at the Principality Stadium having made sweeping changes to the side which booked their European Challenge Cup Final spot with victory over Edinburgh.
It means the likes of Lions men Finn Russell and Will Stuart will be side line supporters as they prepare for huge weeks and months ahead with their club and the Lions down under.
Hooker Jasper Sandler makes his debut in the Cardiff sunshine with a huge crowd making the short journey across the border into Wales to watch the Big Day Out contest and what is usually a full-on, no-nonsense West Country affair.
Despite having a weakened team out Bath will still be anxious to maintain their momentum going into the final stages of what is promising to be a remarkable season on two fronts.
02:45 PM BST
‘We will just love the moment’ - Pressure off Bath after clinching top spot
Speaking on Wednesday, Bath head coach Johann van Graan said: “In terms of the occasion this weekend, I think it is two very different occasions. This is a home game for Bristol, this is an away game for us in the Premiership.
“We have earned the number one spot in the league, factually we have got a home semi-final in a few weeks time. They are in a different position and they will chose how they handle this game.
“In three weeks time we will play our first European final as a group. It is another step in our journey that we are looking forward to.
“We are all aligned about what we want to achieve from our season and we will just enjoy Saturday for what it is, a Premiership game at the Principality, closed roof, 50,000 people. Bath vs Bristol. We will just love the moment.
“It has been a relentless season, we are in week 43 overall. This is our 11th game in a row because we won the Prem Cup, because we are in a European final. We have already played seven more games than other teams.
“That is brilliant for us, it is where we want to be, but that means we have got to manage our squad and resources even better.”
You must be registered for see images attach
Johann van Graan, Head Coach of Bath Rugby - Getty Images/Ian MacNicol
02:41 PM BST
Plenty of motivation for Genge
You must be registered for see images attach
Ellis Genge heads into today’s Big Day Out battle with local rivals Bath with plenty of motivation to put on a show and prove himself worthy of his place to Australia this summer.
The England man’s most pressing priority is to act as once again Bristol’s energetic, dynamic physical force, able to raise his side to a crucial victory in their bid for a top four place.
Victory would leave Pat Lam’s side just two more games from being involved in the shoot out for the right to play at Twickenham for the title.
Also for Genge is the desire to finish with a flourish and give Andy Farrell a nudge in his direction come the announcement of the First Test with the Wallabies.
The prop and his Bears will be confident of moving a step nearer the play offs against a Bath outfit minus most of its’s top stars having already guaranteed them a home berth.
02:37 PM BST
Those teams in full
Bristol: 15. Rich Lane, 14. Kalaveti Ravouvou, 13. Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 12. James Williams, 11. Gabriel Ibitoye, 10. AJ MacGinty, 9. Harry Randall; 1. Ellis Genge, 2. Gabriel Oghre, 3. Max Lahiff, 4. Josh Caulfield, 5. Joe Batley, 6. Steven Luatua, 7. Fitz Harding (c), 8. Viliame Mata.
Replacements: 16. Will Capon, 17. Yann Thomas, 18. George Kloska, 19. James Dun, 20. Joe Owen, 21. Kieran Marmion, 22. Siva Naulago, Santiago Grondona.
Bath: 15. Tom de Glanville, 14. Joe Cokanasiga, 13. Louie Hennessey, 12. Orlando Bailey, 11. Austin Emens, 10. Ciaran Donoghue, 9. Louis Schreuder; 1. Francois van Wyk, 2. Jasper Spandler, 3. Archie Griffin, 4. Ewan Richards (c), 5. Ross Molony, 6. Josh Bayliss, 7. Ethan Staddon, 8. Arthur Green.
Replacements: 16. Kepu Tuipulotu, 17. Arthur Cordwell, 18. Kieran Verden, 19. Will Jeanes, 20. Tom Cowan, 21. Tom Carr-Smith, 22. Ruaridh McConnochie, 23. Miles Reid.
02:34 PM BST
Wholesale changes for Bath from Edinburgh win
Johann van Graan makes 13 changes to the side that started in the Challenge Cup semi-final win over Edinburgh last weekend, with De Glanville and Cokanasiga the only players to keep their place. Hooker Jasper Spandler makes his first Gallagher Premiership appearance.
'
Here is your matchday squad set to take on Bristol Bears in Cardiff!
All set for a #BigDayOut at @principalitysta on Saturday️
️
— Bath Rugby (@BathRugby) May 9, 2025
02:31 PM BST
Five changes for Bristol from Northampton defeat
There are five changes to the Bristol team which started in the defeat against Northampton two weeks ago, as Joe Batley makes his first appearance for six months.
02:29 PM BST
Preview: West Country derby travels to Cardiff as Bristol chase top four
Good afternoon and welcome to live coverage of the Gallagher Premiership as Bristol Bears take on Bath in the West Country derby’s ‘Big Day Out’ at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
Fourth-placed Bristol have made the decision to move their home game against their local rivals to the Welsh capital, with the expectation of drawing in around 50,000 fans, double the attendance the derby usually attracts at Ashton Gate.
The fixture is being labelled by the two sides as the ‘Big Day Out’, but in terms of implications on the Premiership campaign, it is certainly a more significant occasion for the – on paper – home side.
Leaders Bath ensured they will finish top of the division two weeks ago with a 55-19 victory over bottom-of-the-table Newcastle Falcons, guaranteeing them a home play-off semi-final with three games to spare.
And having progressed into the final of the Challenge Cup with a 39-24 victory away at Edinburgh last weekend, Johann van Graan is taking the opportunity to rotate, making 13 changes to the team that started in the Scottish capital, as his side target a treble.
As for Bristol, three Premiership defeats on the spin have seen them slip to fourth, and after trailing Bath by just a point following their last victory against Exeter in March, they are now 19 points adrift of their local rivals.
A play-off spot now looks precarious with Pat Lam’s side finding themselves nine points off Leicester Tigers in second, two points behind Sale, and only having a one-point advantage over Gloucester, who lead Saracens by just two points.
With Saracens hosting Newcastle, and Gloucester in action against Harlequins, Bristol could slip to sixth by the end of play today if they fail to get a result against the runaway leaders.
Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Continue reading...
