2020-21 European Rugby Champions Cup – Bristol vs ASM Clermont Auvergne Preview & Prediction

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THE FACTS

When is Bristol vs ASM Clermont Auvergne taking place? Saturday 12th December, 2020 – 13:00 (UK)

Where is Bristol vs ASM Clermont Auvergne taking place? Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol

Where can I get tickets for Bristol vs ASM Clermont Auvergne? Visit official club websites for ticket information

What television channel is Bristol vs ASM Clermont Auvergne on? This match will be televised live on BT Sport

Where can I stream Bristol vs ASM Clermont Auvergne? BT Sport subscribers can stream the match live via the BT Sport website & app

THE TEAM NEWS

BRISTOL: 15 Max Malins, 14 Alapati Leiua, 13 Piers O’Conor, 12 Siale Piutau (c), 11 Henry Purdy, 10 Callum Sheedy, 9 Harry Randall, 8 Nathan Hughes, 7 Dan Thomas, 6 Ben Earl, 5 Joe Joyce, 4 Ed Holmes, 3 John Afoa, 2 Bryan Byrne, 1 Jake Woolmore

Replacements: 16 Will Capon, 17 Yann Thomas, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 Dave Attwood, 20 Jake Heenan, 21 Andy Uren, 22 Ioan Lloyd, 23 Siva Naulago

ASM CLERMONT AUVERGNE: 15 Kotaro Matsushima, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Apisai Naqalevu, 12 George Moala, 11 Alivereti Raka, 10 Camille Lopez (c), 9 Morgan Parra, 8 Fritz Lee, 7 Peceli Yato, 6 Judicaël Cancoriet, 5 Sébastien Vahaamahina, 4 Sitaleki Timani, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Adrien Pélissié, 1 Etienne Falgoux

Replacements: 16 Etienne Fourcade, 17 Peni Ravai, 18 Sipili Falatea, 19 Paul Jedrasiak, 20 Tavite Veredamu, 21 Sébastien Bézy, 22 Tim Nanai-Williams, 23 Tani Vili

THE PREDICTION

2020 Challenge Cup winners Bristol just edged an 18-17 encounter with Northampton Saints at Ashton gate on Friday in the Premiership and know they will have to improve on that performance if they are to beat their next visitors. French giants Clermont Auvergne were upset by Montpellier last time out in the Top 14 to stay in sixth place but with two games in-hand over La Rochelle and Toulouse at the top of their table they could well be the unofficial French leaders as things stand. Their most recent fixture and the long trip for Clermont suggests that Bristol could just edge this match but it should be a fantastically close run thing. A home win in a match that looks unlikely to reach 40 points should be a decent option in the markets.