Number Crunch: Challenge of the Chiefs

• Exeter Chiefs have suffered just two defeats since Round 2 of Gallagher Premiership Rugby, both at home, to London Irish and Newcastle. The Chiefs have won their last two matches at Sandy Park, beating Saracens in Premiership Rugby and Montpellier in the European Champions Cup.

• Bristol Bears have lost their last three Gallagher Premiership Rugby encounters since beating Worcester at Ashton Gate on 6 November. The Bears have not lost four in succession in the competition since 2018. Bristol have won just once away from home in Premiership Rugby this season: 45-33 at London Irish in Round 7.

• Curiously, the last four fixtures between the two clubs in Premiership Rugby have all gone the way of the away side, whilst the Bears have won on their last three visits to Sandy Park in all competitions.

THE NUMBERS

• Exeter Chiefs have won six of their eight meetings with Bristol in the Premiership (L2), their 75% win rate is the joint best by any team to have faced the Bears more than twice (Wasps also 75%).
• Bristol have won just twice against Exeter (L6), however those victories have come in their last two meetings at Sandy Park, despite trailing at halftime in both matches; Bristol could become just the third side to win three consecutive away games against Exeter in the Premiership after Leicester Tigers (2013-14) and Northampton Saints (2012-14).
• Exeter Chiefs have won six of their last eight matches in the Premiership (L2), although both defeats in that spell came at Sandy Park, losing to London Irish in October and Newcastle Falcons in November.
• Bristol Bears have lost their last three Premiership matches, however they’ve not lost more consecutive league games since a run of four straight defeats between September and November 2018, which included a defeat to Exeter.