Fireworks expected at Ashton Gate as Bristol end 12-year hiatus

December 09, 2020
1960
Ultimate Rugby

It's been 12 years since Bristol took on Europe's best and this weekend Pat Lam's side are welcomed back to the Champions Cup by French giants Clermont.

The new format of the Champions Cup will leave little room for error throughout the competition and historically, Clermont get out of the blocks early. The TOP14 side have won 13 of their last 15 games in the pool stage of the competition (L2), but both their defeats in that span came away from home, including one in England (v Northampton Saints in 2017/18). Meanwhile Bristol head into the competition off the back of a successful Challenge Cup campaign where they beat Toulon in the final and succeeded Clermont in lifting the trophy.

The clash on Saturday at Ashton Gate could well be one of the most thrilling encounters this weekend as both sides enjoying keeping the ball in hand and make the most of their opportunities. Clermont averaged 33.4 points per game in the Champions Cup last season, more than any other club, while Bristol Bears averaged the most in the Challenge Cup (37.1).

Pat Lam's charges head into the new Champions Cup season having won two of their three opening games of the new Premiership season. Bristol lost their Premiership opener to Wasps, the same side that beat them in the semi-finals last season, before going on to register a victory over Worcester Warriors. Last week, Bristol needed a last-minute penalty from Sam Bedlow to edge past Northampton 18-17.

Meanwhile, Clermont have won six of their opening nine games of the 2020/21 TOP14 season but two of their three losses have come in their past three encounters. Last week they were boosted by the returns of star players Peceli Yato and Damian Penaud, from injury, but that was not enough to help to victory as Montpellier secured a 15-21 win at the Stade Marcel Michelin.

Head to Head:

The two sides have faced off twice before in the history of the competition with Bristol coming out on top in both encounters during the pool stage in 2002/03.

Bristol beat Clermont 24-19 at home before claiming a 22-30 victory at the Stade Marcel Michelin.

What the coaches say

Pat Lam says he is he excited for his side compete in the Champions Cup and that it is Bristol's vision to compete in the Champions Cup year on year. Lam is eager for his side to take on Clermont saying "These are the sort of games you want, because those sort of games grow you as a club, grow you as players and give you really good recognition to be a part of big time rugby. That’s what all players, coaches and staff thrive on."

Clermont head coach Franck Azema is wary of the challenge that awaits his side. Azema said that his side were readying themselves to face an inform Bristol Bears side 'who are working their way up the English game.' The Clermont boss went on to say that 'they’ve [Bristol] got a quality squad; they’ve just proved that and confirmed their ability to play in knockout games and win them. They’ve built a team, a new mindset and a new culture around Pat Lam, so bit by bit, we’re starting to see those aspects cropping up.'

MATCH FACTS:

- Bristol Bears won their previous two games against Clermont Auvergne in the Champions Cup, both matches took place during the pool stage in 2002/03.

- Bristol Bears lost their last two games in the Champions Cup but have never lost more in succession; however, their last game in the competition was in January 2008, against Cardiff Blues (0-17), the only time they have failed to score in their 85 games in European competition.

- Clermont have won 13 of their last 15 games in the pool stage of the Heineken Champions Cup (L2), but both their defeats in that span came away from home, including one in England (v Northampton Saints in 2017/18).

- Clermont Auvergne averaged 33.4 points per game in the Heineken Champions Cup last season, more than any other club, while Bristol Bears averaged the most in the Challenge Cup (37.1).

- Bristol’s Luke Morahan made the most clean breaks (22) in the Challenge Cup last season, while he also gained the most metres of any player (542)

Clermont return home to face Munster in round two of the Champions Cup while Pat Lam returns to the Sportsground next week where he will look to topple his former side with the Bears.

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