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

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THE FACTS

When is London Irish vs Bristol Bears taking place? Sunday 21st February, 2021 – 15:00 (UK)

Where is London Irish vs Bristol Bears taking place? Brentford Community Stadium, Brentford

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

What television channel is London Irish vs Bristol Bears on? BT Sport have the rights to televise Gallagher Premiership matches so it is worth checking their schedule

Where can I stream London Irish vs Bristol Bears? If televised on BT Sport, then subscribers will be able to stream the match live via the BT Sport website & app

THE TEAM NEWS

London Irish: 15 James Stokes, 14 Ben Loader, 13 Curtis Rona, 12 Theo Brophy Clews, 11 Ollie Hassell-Collins, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Ben Meehan, 8 Albert Tuisue, 7 Blair Cowan, 6 Matt Rogerson (c), 5 George Nott, 4 Steve Mafi, 3 Lovejoy Chawatama, 2 Matt Cornish, 1 Will Goodrick-Clarke

Replacements: 16 Agustin Creevy, 17 Allan Dell, 18 Ollie Hoskins, 19 Rob Simmons, 20 Sean O’Brien, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Terrence Hepetema, 23 Tom Parton

Bristol: 15 Charles Piutau, 14 Luke Morahan, 13 Piers O’Conor, 12 Sam Bedlow, 11 Siva Naulago, 10 Callum Sheedy, 9 Andy Uren, 8 Mitch Eadie, 7 Dan Thomas, 6 Steven Luatua (c), 5 Chris Vui, 4 Dave Attwood, 3 John Afoa, 2 Will Capon, 1 Yann Thomas

Replacements: 16 George Kloska, 17 Jake Woolmore, 18 Jake Armstrong, 19 Ed Holmes, 20 Jake Heenan, 21 Tom Kessell, 22 Ioan Lloyd, 23 Alapati Leiua

THE PREDICTION

Bristol dragged themselves over the line in a tough 17-18 slog away to Gloucester last Friday to stay one point above Exeter Chiefs at the top of the Premiership table. The Bears will have been pleased to bounce back from their previous match, a 13-20 defeat to Sale, by any method and so with that winning feeling back they should be up for another winnable fixture away to London Irish. The Exiles lost in a poor way to Exeter Chiefs after hooker Motu Matu’u was sent-off and his subsequent ban will leave them weaker for the next six weeks of Premiership action. With or without him, though, Irish will have been expecting a tough ordeal here and Bristol Bears should be able to capitalise by covering -8 to stay top for another week.