2020-21 Premiership Rugby – Wasps vs Bristol Bears Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Wasps vs Bristol Bears taking place? Sunday 22nd November, 2020 – 13:00 (UK)
Where is Wasps vs Bristol Bears taking place? Ricoh Arena, Coventry
What is the expected weather for Wasps vs Bristol Bears? Cloudy, 11c
Where can I get tickets for Wasps vs Bristol Bears? This match will be played behind closed doors
What television channel is Wasps 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 Wasps 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
Wasps: 15 Lima Sopoaga, 14 Zach Kibirige, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Jimmy Gopperth, 11 Josh Bassett, 10 Jacob Umaga, 9 Ben Vellacott, 8 Brad Shields, 7 Thomas Young, 6 Jack Willis, 5 James Gaskell, 4 Tim Cardall, 3 Kieran Brookes, 2 Tommy Taylor, 1 Simon McIntyre
Replacements: 16 Tom Cruse, 17 Tom West, 18 Jeff Toomaga-Allen, 19 Levi Douglas, 20 Alfie Barbeary, 21 Tom Willis, 22 Sam Wolstenholme, 23 Paolo Odogwu
Bristol Bears: 15 Piers O’Conor, 14 Niyi Adeolokun, 13 Alapati Leiua, 12 Siale Piutau (c), 11 Henry Purdy, 10 Sam Bedlow, 9 Harry Randall, 8 Jake Heenan, 7 Dan Thomas, 6 Chris Vui, 5 Joe Joyce, 4 Ed Holmes, 3 John Afoa, 2 Bryan Byrne, 1 Yann Thomas
Replacements: 16 Will Capon, 17 Jake Woolmore, 18 Jake Armstrong, 19 John Hawkins, 20 James Dun, 21 Tom Kessell, 22 Tom Wilstead, 23 Toby Fricker
THE PREDICTION
This should be the match of the weekend between two teams who enjoyed life post covid-19 in the re-start of last season. Wasps went on an incredible offensive run of form to finish just three points behind Exeter Chiefs in the shortened season and played well in a 19-13 defeat by the Chiefs in the Play-Of final almost a month ago. Before that, Wasps went on a seven-match unbeaten streak that included two big defeats of their opponents Bristol in the regular season and again in the play-off semi-finals. However, Bristol enjoyed success of their own when they won the Challenge Cup over Toulon just over a month ago and they will be a force to be reckoned with in this new season. Wasps beat the Bears by 23 and 24 points in their two most recent matches and whilst the visitors should keep the score closer this time the hosts could still cover -15 to set out their stall.
