BRISTOL
Bristol may be back in the top tier after seven years…but will it be for more than one season? That is the big question facing their owner, financial services tycoon Steve Lansdown, and rugby director Andy Robinson.
It’s surprising that rather than splashing out on a few hand-picked marquee players to tip the balance against immediate relegation, Bristol have opted for a less ambitious recruitment plan. Although full-back Luke Arscott, No.8 Jordan Crane, and the hard-running ex-Doncaster centre Will Hurrell are handy acquisitions, Bristol will be relying mainly on the squad that secured promotion to the Premiership to keep them there.
This is the Exeter model, but the acid test is whether Bristol’s squad is as talented or as tightly-knit. It will rely heavily on their two experienced Lions, the Welsh duo of centre Gavin Henson (32) and lock Ian Evans (31), to deliver consistently, and for former Sale scrum-half Will Cliff to live up to his billing.
That will be an uphill slog unless ‘quiet man’ captain Jack Lam and his pack get to grips with the challenge straight away.That means at least a couple of victories at Ashton Gate before the new year – and with a Twickenham opener against Harlequins followed by top flight contenders Northampton (H),Wasps (A), Exeter (H) and champions Saracens (H) it will be hard going.