Taunton To Host Bristol Rugby Clash At Hyde Park

United, fresh off the back of bonus-point victories against Harlequins A and Bath United, take on their West Country rivals at Hyde Park, in a match that will mark the extension of Bristol’s academy boundaries.

From August, 1st Bristol’s Academy boundaries have included North and West Somerset – and academy manager, Mike Hall is excited by the prospect of the new boundaries.

He said: “It’s really exciting for Bristol Rugby to be playing an A League game at Taunton RFC.

“Taunton Rugby club have been fantastic in the way they have welcomed us and accommodated the request for this game to take place.

“We have a real desire to engage with the rugby community in our new catchment area and this is a big part of our strategy.

"We have already set-up development centres in Minehead, Taunton, Bridgwater and Weston and are excited about the potential players we will get out of these areas.

“We desperately want to connect the young players of a our new area to the first team at Bristol and playing this game at Taunton is a good way for us to do that.

“It gives them a good opportunity to see what top level senior rugby looks like and aspire to one day pull on the blue and white hoops of Bristol.”

Looking forward to Sunday’s clash, Hall is anticipating a tough test for United.

He said: “Gloucester are always a tough opponent and this Sunday will be no different.

“They have a good squad and will bring a combination of exciting young players and some older more experienced heads.

"We have started exceptionally well in the A League - the coaches Mark Irish and Sean Marsden have worked incredibly hard at preparing the team and pulling the group together to produce two really good performances against Bath and Quins.

“I’ve no doubt this Sunday will be a full-blooded West Country derby and a great spectacle.”