2020-21 Premiership Rugby – Bristol Bears vs Exeter Chiefs Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Bristol Bears vs Exeter Chiefs taking place? Friday 23rd April, 2021 – 19:45 (UK)
Where is Bristol Bears vs Exeter Chiefs taking place? Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol
Where can I get tickets for Bristol Bears vs Exeter Chiefs? Check official club websites for information about purchasing tickets
What television channel is Bristol Bears vs Exeter Chiefs 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 Exeter Chiefs? 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 Niyi Adeolokun, 13 Piers O’Conor, 12 Sam Bedlow, 11 Luke Morahan, 10 Max Malins, 9 Andy Uren, 8 Jake Heenan, 7 Dan Thomas, 6 Steven Luatua (c), 5 Chris Vui, 4 Dave Attwood, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Bryan Byrne, 1 Yann Thomas
Replacements: 16 Will Capon, 17 Jake Woolmore, 18 John Afoa, 19 Joe Joyce, 20 Fitz Harding, 21 Tom Kessell, 22 Ioan Lloyd, 23 Alapati Leiua
Exeter Chiefs: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Jack Nowell, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Ollie Devoto, 11 Tom O’Flaherty, 10 Joe Simmonds (c), 9 Jack Maunder, 8 Sam Simmonds, 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 6 Sam Skinner, 5 Jonny Hill, 4 Jonny Gray, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 1 Ben Moon
Replacements: 16 Jack Yeandle, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Harry Williams, 19 Sean Lonsdale, 20 Richard Capstick, 21 Stu Townsend, 22 Harvey Skinner, 23 Ian Whitten
THE PREDICTION
Bristol Bears held on tightly to their lead at the top of the Premiership table with an excellent performance away at Newcastle Falcons, doubling their hosts’ score in a 17-34 rout. With six matches left to play there are still plenty of points to be won but a win over second-placed Exeter Chiefs here would surely all-but seal their excellent campaign for the title. Exeter must make up 12 points’ worth of ground and must surely win this match to have any hope of defending their 2020 title and they beat Wasps comfortably last time out to keep those hopes alive. However, a loss at home to Leinster in the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup the week previous suggests they are not at their best ability and whilst this looks like a tight result Bristol should be able to edge this at home.
