Match of the Round: Sale Sharks vs Bristol Bears

The second fixture of the round is sure to be a humdinger as two of the leagues top teams battle it out at the AJ Bell. 

Log-leaders Bristol Bears face third-placed Sale – both of whom are fighting tooth and nail for a home semi-final. 

Bristol took no prisoners in Round 19, comfortably defeating the visiting Gloucester 39-7. 

Bath came a little too close to victory for Sale’s comfort in Round 19 at The Rec. The sides were neck-&neck at halftime with the score at 17-all, but Sale showed their quality by digging deep in the second half and procuring victory. 

Sale are in something of a tense position this weekend with Harlequins breathing down their necks for third spot. Quins trail Paul Deacon’s men by just 3 points, thus, a win for the former and a loss for the latter would see a leapfrog on the standings.  

Bristol, on the other hand, are enjoying the results of their hard work during the season which has landed them on top of the log with a healthy 8-point cushion between them and second-placed Exeter Chiefs. 

Interestingly, it was Sale who prevailed the last time the teams clashed, which was in Round 8 at Ashton Gate – a brilliant showing by the visitors which they will hope to replicate this weekend.