2020-21 Premiership Rugby – Bristol Bears vs Bath Preview & Prediction

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THE FACTS

When is Bristol Bears vs Bath taking place? Friday 29th January, 2021 – 19:45 (UK)

Where is Bristol Bears vs Bath taking place? Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol

Where can I get tickets for Bristol Bears vs Bath? Check official club websites for information about purchasing tickets

What television channel is Bristol Bears vs Bath 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 Bath? 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 Luke Morahan, 13 Semi Radradra, 12 Piers O’Conor, 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 Jake Armstrong, 19 Ed Holmes, 20 Jake Heenan, 21 Tom Kessell, 22 Callum Sheedy, 23 Alapati Leiua

Bath: 15 Tom de Glanville, 14 Ruaridh McConnochie, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Josh Matavesi, 11 Gabriel Hamer-Webb, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Ben Spencer, 8 Zach Mercer, 7 Miles Reid, 6 Josh Bayliss, 5 Elliott Stooke, 4 Josh McNally (c), 3 Christian Judge, 2 Tom Dunn, 1 Juan Schoeman

Replacements: 16 Jack Walker, 17 Jamie Bhatti, 18 Henry Thomas, 19 Mike Williams, 20 Taulupe Faletau, 21 Will Chudley, 22 Cameron Redpath, 23 Joe Cokanasiga

THE PREDICTION

Bristol Bears beat Exeter to go top of the English Premiership just under three weeks ago and are on a four-match winning streak in all competitions having started the season slowly with a loss to Wasps. They will enjoy home advantage even without spectators in another battle in the South-West when they host Bath, with their hosts fresh from a period of self-isolation following positive covid-19 tests. Bath lost a crazy match with Wasps last timeout, scoring 44 points of their own and yet still losing by eight to visiting Wasps themselves in a morale-crushing defeat. Bristol will be without Kyle Sinckler after his ban for swearing at a referee against Exeter but they should still have plenty of ammunition to cover -15 against a Bath side who have lost their last three matches in a row and could be a little sore here.