Preview: Bristol Bears vs Bath Rugby

Bristol Rugby 12-11 Bath Rugby - Sun, 26th Feb 2017, Ashton Gate

Gavin Henson marked his first start in four months with a man of the match performance as Bristol Rugby battled to a memorable derby victory over Bath at Ashton Gate on Sunday.

The fly half kicked three penalties and a drop goal to finish with a 12-point haul as Bristol held off a late Bath surge - inspired by Semesa Rokoduguni's 69th minute try - to record a win of huge importance in front of a bumper Ashton Gate crowd. 

Ian Madigan

Irish international, Ian Madigan was the GKIPA Championship's leading marksman in 2017/18, scoring a mammoth 235 points for Pat Lam's side as they romped to the title.

Madigan's match-up with Welsh international, Rhys Priestland promises to be a fascinating one, both from the kicking tee and in dictating play from the number ten shirt.

Rhys Priestland

A Welsh international of 48 caps, Priestland is a proven top-level performer, and his 2017/18 tally of 148 Premiership points saw him rank fifth in the league.

The number ten joined Bath Rugby in 2015 from Scarlets, for whom he made over 150 appearances, becoming the region’s top points scorer with over 1000 points.

George Smith

The master takes on the apprentice at open-side, as Wallabies legend, George Smith takes on Bath's young English number seven, Sam Underhill.

Smith, who made 111 appearances for his country, is one of the game's greatest breakdown exponents and Bristol Bears will be hoping the 38-year-old can gain the upper hand on Friday.

Sam Underhill

Sam Underhill endured a torrid first season at Bath, managing just eight matches for the club and two starts for England, as injury struck down the young open-side time and again.

The 22-year-old – 16 years Smith’s junior – is a traditional number seven and, if he can stay injury free, has been touted as England’s long-term answer at open-side flanker.

Pat Lam

“It’s a huge boost for us to have that crowd, but it’s also a huge responsibility and we understand that we’ve got to go out and celebrate the work we do here every day,” said head coach, Pat Lam.

“Excitement is the word – we’ve done a lot of work on our game, culture and leadership and we feel we’re ready to go now.

“Obviously, our community is excited too, it’s hopefully going to be a sell-out and we’re looking forward to performing,” 

Todd Blackadder

"We are not underestimating the task in front of us – I know Pat will be preparing his team to beat us. It’s a massive game for both sides, and it’s going to be their biggest ever crowd at Ashton Gate, so it’s going to be a huge occasion."

Bristol Bears suffered narrow defeats to Pro14 sides, Scarlets and Connacht, as well as cruising to victory over GKIPA Championship outfit, Nottingham last week, with head coach Pat Lam declaring himself satisfied with their pre-season workout. 

Bath secured a narrow victory over Edinburgh before beating Scarlets at The Rec last weekend.

But, as with any derby - and especially the opening game of a new season - the form guide is somewhat irrelevant.

Bristol Bears: LWL
Bath Rugby: WW

Met Office says: Another chilly start, then dry with warm sunny spells in many areas. Maximum temperature 21 °C.

Tickets are selling fast at Bristol Bears prepare for a club record attendance for the opening day of the Gallagher Premiership season and are available to purchase online now by clicking here .