Stat attack: Exeter Chiefs 7-20 Bristol Bears

How good is it to see this man back in full flow?

Not the sort of conditions that Charles Piutau would usually relish, but the All Black was at his blistering best at an ice-cold Sandy Park, making 106 metres and beating six defenders in just nine carries, as well as two trademark clean breaks from deep.

The leading metre-maker in the 2019/20 Gallagher Premiership season is back in the game and it's going to be a lot of fun.

He may be the smallest man on the field, but Harry Randall never ducks his defensive responsibilities. The scrum half made 12 tackles, the joint highest in the Bears side, including a crucial hit to force a turnover 10 minutes from time, despite having been receiving treatment from the physio just seconds earlier.

Randall, who was named man of the match by the BT Sport pundits, also scored the first try of the game, burying himself at the heart of a well-worked, shifted lineout drive to touch down. 

Saturday was Joe Joyce's 50th league start for the Bears, making him the 67th player to reach that milestone.

The homegrown lock marked the occasion with a typically industrious performance, winning eight lineouts as the visitors dominated the set-piece battle.

@JoeJoyce94 takes to the field to start his 50th league game for @BristolBears, the 67th player to reach the milestone

— Neil Williams (@BrisRugStatto) January 9, 2021