By Chris Chaplin
February 4 2003

In much the same way as Quins were, until a couple of weeks ago, a blight on our Cup aspirations, so Bristol have been in the Premiership of late due to their ability to punch above their weight. Firstly by beating Tigers in the Zurich Championship last year and again, this time with only fourteen men, at The Memorial Ground in September. Can they do it again?

Well the Shoguns certainly did Tigers no favours by narrowly losing to Leeds on Sunday, the loss being particularly irksome for them as it came from the ever popular Mr Lander awarding a penalty try against them, although he did make partial amends by ignoring his touch judges in awarding Contpomi a successful penalty shot when his colleagues signalled a miss - that's our Mr Lander!!

Leeds, by all accounts were, well, Leeds and used their strong pack to great effect. The upshot is that Bristol added to their financial uncertainties by dropping to third from bottom in the Premiership and are now just five points ahead of Newcastle and three away from Bath. Mind you they do have a game in hand over their neighbours in the basement area and as that's against Quins at The Memorial Ground they will have gained heart from the Falcons consigning of Quins to yet another away defeat on Saturday. They still need to win at Welford Road though.

If we are to keep alive our hopes of a play-off position there can be no slip ups as Wasps are likely to see off Irish at Adams Park, although I've a sneaky feeling that Falcons may just spring a surprise over Leeds at Headingly, they looked much, much better against Quins and if Tykes are denied a point, a five point win for us would see us advance into third place, admittedly with those pesky Wasps still attached to our tail.

With Saints at home to Sarries, either of whom will lose touch with the top of the table if they fail at Franklins Gradens, it could well be a closer contest than might at first appear to be the case. Sarries having given Glaws a bit of a fright last Sunday.

Sale are at The Stoop where the Quins are looking to maintain their unbeaten run in the ZP and I think they'll do so. So if I'm right and we win we could be in third place and only four points adrift of Sale in second with both Sharks and Leeds still to sample the charms of Welford Road. Which brings me neatly to the subject of next Saturday's encounter.

Like most teams Bristol are missing certain key players through injury with Brendan Daniel, absent with a broken thumb, the winger earlier going from Zero to Hero in few days, having made a dreadful error in letting Quins steal the game from them, only to score two tries in his sides emphatic and probably famous win over Montferrand, he has recently been joined by the ever combative Garath Archer following his departure through injury during their loss to Leinster and Craig Short also remains in the sick bay.

However the excellent Michael Lipman is back in harness as is Shane Drahm.

The Bristol front row against Leeds comprised young Andrew Sheridan who has caught Woodward's attention at U21 and first fifteen level when he was included on the last tour to South Africa. His exploits at U21 were notable for the partnership he formed (at Lock) with Alex Brown, although he is currently a row further forward partnering Zimbabwean/Scot Paul Johnstone and the England prop a Mr Julian White of our and Mr Rowntree's acquaintance.

The September skirmish aside White is a fine scrummager and if he can curtail his penchant for trouble he can again put himself in the forefront for England where there remains a paucity of talent in the propping department. A mix then of youthful enthusiasm and experience and no place for the stalwart Darren Crompton who, as Bill McLaren would have said, is a solid citizen having served the Bristol club well since his arrival from Bath and at 30 is just maturing nicely.

Somewhere squirreled away is also ex Glaws Hooker Neil McCarthy who is not currently favoured and Bergamaschi is also available and will probably start with White now excluded from Saturday's game and the first tranche of Six Nations due to injury.

In the second row the classy Alex Brown usually partners Archer. As for Archer; well rather like White he has had his well publicised disciplinary problems and I rather suspect his International chances are behind him, although still at less than 30, who knows. Scott Morgan, now restored from his spell at Llanelli and well enough regarded to be training with the Welsh squad demonstrates the strength in depth that the club has at lock.

The Bristol back-row, like so many others in the Premiership is full of talent with the pick, for my money, being Aussie U21 Micheal Lipman. I think he's a good player and although recently injured he's now back and I bet it's hoped down Bristol way that, financial considerations notwithstanding, his original short term contract will be extended.

Ben Sturnham is my pick at blindside (although he's equally effective at 8) and he is unfortunate that the strength in depth of English backrow players has restricted him to just three caps, due in no small part to an unfortunate spell at Bath where he was largely played out of position. Presumably Sturnham is still injured so ex League player Matt Salter keeps the shirt, although from all accounts when fit Sturnham will have a bit of a job getting it back, Salter having performed well in his stead.

Rhys Oakley at 8 is another youngster off the Bristol U21 conveyor belt and while a good mobile player probably still has a little to learn about the dark arts but another to watch for the future. Currently completing the back row is Scottish international Ross Beattie. A good rather than exceptional unit which to my mind needs the talented Lipman and a personal favourite of mine, Ben Sturnham, included to give it that bit of extra class.

There are some very good #9s and some very good #10s but only at Bristol, Sale and Gloucester are they in double harness and the two Argentinians, given any quantity of decent ball by their forwards, will cause our weakest link some headaches.

Kiwi Daryl Gibson has been so influential since his arrival in the Autumn and is not only a potent attacking force but the mortar that holds the Bristolians defensive wall together, without him the potential for them to leak tries increases markedly. Young Andrew Higgins appears to be another good prospect having learnt his trade at Worcester and his defensive qualities are another reason for the reduced try count against his side.

On the wings are England internationals David Rees and Phil Christophers. These two certainly look far happier than when dragooned to play at centre, although the attack looks more balanced when the more muscular high scoring Daniel is in situ, but nevertheless both Rees and Christophers have great pace and Christophers in particular has a devastating step with Rees capable of picking a wonderful line on his day. Given ball they'll test any defence.

Finally at full back the more attacking bent of Jamie Williams was lately preferred to the more solid defensive qualities of Lee Best but as a poor tackle by Williams allowed Leeds' Fea'unati in for a decisive score last weekend they may feel disposed to reinstate Best, who I had previously thought of as first choice at 15 - maybe he's injured? Of course Drahm is another option previously used here and with his fly-half pedigree should be very effective.

Without doubt there are some jewels in this side with the experience of the Archers, Rees, Whites and Gibsons linking with some good young talent, and as we've seen they can produce some stirring play and results against the odds, as we at Tigers have cause to recall.

Can Tigers stop the run of defeats by Shoguns increasing to four?

Well a win's a win but we certainly made hard work of it against a disorganised Bath. The front row did pretty well but Johnno and BK had a tricky first quarter in particular and really our line out was a bit of a mess most of the time.

I don't think Archer and Brown will be much easier opponents on Saturday and they will have been encouraged by watching the video, although logically the first choice England locks should really be able to deal with them so as to win good possession, but we really must stop trying to over complicate matters.

I know that line dancing is now a feature of the Union game but I often think it confuses the attackers as much as it does (or should do) the defenders. There was one point on Saturday where the Tigers were running hither and thither and Bath just stood and watched until they settled and then promptly spoilt the ball!! If we must use the long throw, which strangely we do in defensive situations and not very well at that, we'll come to grief.

With White likely to be missing our front five should certainly have the edge and I hope that the more mobile Franck gets to start with Rowntree and West. Let us hope that Josh starts and finishes this last ZP match of the current block before he starts a three week rest ahead the Powergen semi. as partnered by Corry and Moody the combination should be too much for any of the potential Bristol backrows setups.

I am worried about Hamilton at 9 with Pichot likely to be all over him (legally or otherwise) and surely it's time to start Tierney. Obviously Sam will have to be at 10 and needing to be on his mettle, as Contepomi will be targeting the 9/10 and 10/12 channels and we know from the championship game last season what happens if this character is missed.

I thought Rod had a decent all round game at Bath but he'll need to step up a level opposite both Contepomi and in particular Gibson, who is immensely strong both in attack and defence. If Higgins starts at 12 I'd fancy Ollie to get the best of that contest and hopefully restrict ball to Christophers, who is a potent threat and we simply can't risk putting Leon against either him or Rees. Perhaps this would be the right time to play Stimmo at 14.

Fred had a good outing at the Rec., once he'd got going after his lay-off and he should retain his place and give the Bristol back three the need to keep a weather eye open for the Samoan Exocet.

Geordan at 15 will surely not again make the same hash of things that led to an even bigger hash by Leon and Danelli's gifted try.

As I said at the outset Bristol have the ability to punch above their weight and will want to do so at Welford Road (again). For our part we cannot afford to slip up and I don't think we will.