2020-21 Premiership Rugby – Bristol Bears vs Sale Sharks Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Bristol Bears vs Sale Sharks taking place? Friday 5th February, 2021 – 19:45 (UK)
Where is Bristol Bears vs Sale Sharks taking place? Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol
Where can I get tickets for Bristol Bears vs Sale Sharks? Check official club websites for information about purchasing tickets
What television channel is Bristol Bears vs Sale Sharks on? BT Sport have the rights to televise Gallagher Premiership matches so it is worth checking their schedule
Where can I stream Bristol Bears vs Sale Sharks? If televised on BT Sport, then subscribers will be able to stream the match live via the BT Sport website & app
THE TEAM NEWS
Bristol Bears: 15 Charles Piutau, 14 Siva Naulago, 13 Piers O’Conor, 12 Siale Piutau, 11 Henry Purdy, 10 Ioan Lloyd, 9 Andy Uren, 8 Nathan Hughes, 7 Dan Thomas, 6 Steven Luatua (c), 5 Chris Vui, 4 Dave Attwood, 3 John Afoa, 2 Bryan Byrne, 1 Jake Woolmore
Replacements: 16 Will Capon, 17 Yann Thomas, 18 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 19 Ed Holmes, 20 Jake Heenan, 21 Tom Kessell, 22 Sam Bedlow, 23 Alapati Leiua
Sale Sharks: 15 Luke James, 14 Byron McGuigan, 13 Sam James, 12 Sam Hill, 11 Marland Yarde, 10 AJ Macginty, 9 Fas De Klerk, 8 Jean-Luc Du Preez, 7 Cameron Neild, 6 Jono Ross (c), 5 Cobus Wiese, 4 Josh Beaumont, 3 WillGriff John, 2 Curtis Langdon, 1 Bevan Rodd
Replacements: 16 Ewan Ashman, 17 Ross Harrison, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 James Phillips, 20 Sam Dugdale, 21 Will Cliff, 22 Robert Du Preez, 23 Simon Hammersley
THE PREDICTION
Bristol Bears look the form team in the Premiership right now as they extended their winning run to eight games in all competitions by thrashing Bath 48-3 last Friday. A bonus point victory also extended their lead at the top of the table to five points now over reigning champions Exeter and six over their next-nearest rivals in Sale Sharks. The visitors have come back from a difficult December to win three-straight Premiership games with a 15-25 victory away to Leicester Tigers last time out. This looks to be the most exciting match-up of the weekend and both sides will have to compete without their star internationals but Bristol’s momentum should see them cover -9 at home here.
