Match preview: Bristol Bears vs Harlequins

Bristol Bears

• Ioan Lloyd and Harry Randall both scored two tries in the Bristol Bears’ drubbing of the Northampton Saints. This is the first time that two Bears’ players have scored a brace in the same match since October 2007, when Neil Brew and David Lemi scored two apiece against Leeds Tykes. Randall also made a round-high three try assists.
• Magnus Bradbury crossed the gainline on more occasions than any other player in Round 19 (11). Teammate Harry Thacker did so ten times (= Jasper Weise).
• Fitz Harding made as many tackles as any other player last weekend (26, = Sam Matavesi) as well as four offloads.
• Semi Radradra made six offloads in Round 19 – more than any other player – he also made more carries than any other back (20, = Jasper Wiese).

Back on 🏡 soil again! 🌱

Joining us on Combination Day this Sunday for 🐻🆚🃏? pic.twitter.com/dNzC532k0m

— Bristol Bears 🐻 (@BristolBears) March 6, 2023

Harlequins

• Nick David ran more metres than any other player last weekend (151). He also beat six defenders and made four clean breaks.
• Of his 15 in the Big Game, a round-high five of Danny Care’s kicks in play were retained, with one resulting directly in a try. Care has now made more try assists than any other player so far this season (ten).
• Will Evans remains top of the Premiership for turnovers won, having stolen opposition ball 24 times. 19 of these turnovers have been jackals.
• George Head has now thrown 30 successful lineout throws this season without missing one.

😉 "...And he knows it"@dannycare 🪄#COYQ #BigGame14 pic.twitter.com/titooi1krD

— Harlequins 🃏 (@Harlequins) March 7, 2023

Historical

• Last weekend, Bristol Bears registered the most points they’ve ever scored in a Premiership match and their biggest league victory.
• The Bears defeated Harlequins for the first time in four matches in December.

• Bristol Bears only defeat in any competition since early January was by a solitary point at table-topping Saracens on 28 January.
• The Bears are unbeaten in any competition at Ashton Gate since Saracens were the visitors in Round Nine of Premiership Rugby in November.
• Harlequins five-game losing streak in Gallagher Premiership Rugby ended with their 40-5 victory over Exeter at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday.

Just can’t stop thinking about it 😵 pic.twitter.com/rHqAewKkEH

— Bristol Bears 🐻 (@BristolBears) March 4, 2023

• The Londoners have not won away from home since a trip to Bath in Premiership Rugby in early December.
• The Bears' 15-12 victory over Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop in Round 13 ended a run of three successive defeats to the Londoners.
• Harlequins have won on their last two visits to Ashton Gate.