By Duncan Wood
May 17 2002

The playoffs start tomorrow and it doesn't come any harder than a trip to Welford Road to face Leicester. However, Bristol can take heart from recent games against the Tigers whose thought smay be focussed elsewhere...

Basically, it's all or nothing for Bristol tomorrow. Win and they advance to the playoff semi finals. Lose and the season is over.

The difficulty of the task ahead of them has been well documented. Leicester have an unbeaten home record stretching back to December 1997. That's pretty damned impressive. Instead of feeling under pressure to maintain it, the Tigers seems to thrive on it.

However, if one team has run Leicester close in recent seasons (if not in league positions), it's definitely Bristol. The last four league meetings have been split with both sides winning their home fixtures.

Bristol have also managed to push Leicester closer than most at Welford Road. Back in February 2001, Bristol stunned the Tigers by opening up a 10 point lead before Leicester pegged them back in the second half to run out 17-10 winners.

Back in December, Bristol again shocked Leicester and actually led going into the final 10 minutes. Leicester, to their credit, kept going like champions and emerged as 26-19 victors. Beware a wounded Tiger!

So, why do Bristol fare so well? Perhaps, it's because the two sides are capable of playing a fairly similar type of game? They are both strong up front, love the catch and drive and a backed up by astute kicking games. Maybe the strengths cancel each other out?

The fixture has been fuelled by the various comments that have appeared in the press this week. There would appear to be no love lost between the two camps.

The question has to be, exactly how much are Leicester focussing on the European Cup final next week? In rugby terms, Leicester are the consummate professionals. But, if they are not 100% focussed, then they could be vulnerable. And who could blame a player for not quite giving it 100% when there's a European final looming?

Bristol are playing with confidence. They are missing several regulars through injury and Julian White is suspended. But the replacements have slotted in well and the team looks capable of scoring points almost at will. It's quite a treat for Bristol supporters to see so many tries scored by the backs.

It's the defence and discipline that's a concern. They really do need to keep it tight and they need to avoid giving away penalties. Stimpson will quite happily send them 60 yards downfield when kicking for touch and can kick goals from anywhere.

It's a day when Bristol will have to tackle like demons, keep on the right side of the referee and take their chances. If they can do all that, then who knows?

Team news when available.