BRISTOL BEARS PLAYER RATINGS
MAX MALINS - 9
Made a number of carries, put his body on the line and was confident under the high ball. Sliced through the Toulon defence to give the Bears the winning try.
LUKE MORAHAN - 8
He was a constant threat under the high ball from Randall’s box-kicks which proved a key asset late on as the Bears were looking to get territory in the Toulon half. SEMI RADRADRA - 9
The magic Fijian was at his finest from the first whistle as he received the kick-off, released Leiua down the flank and showed good work-rate to receive the return pass and allow Randall to scamper away to the line within 15 seconds. His ability to carry the ball in the palm of his hand like a normal person would hold a tennis ball meant he offered the constant threat of a killer offload.
SIALE PIUTAU - 8
The skipper for the night in place of Steven Luatua gave a captain’s performance. He made nine tackles, which was the most of any Bears player. ALAPATI LEIUA - 9
The Samoan made two great early breaks down the left, with the first creating the opening try and the second pinning back Toulon with a chip-and-chase.
He posed a threat as a decoy runner in attack as well as with the ball in hand. CALLUM SHEEDY - 9
The Welsh fly-half ran the game and controlled the scoreboard with eight successful kicks. He recovered after a loose pass to Randall which lead to the Toulon try and found space in the defence with his passing and crossfield kicks.
HARRY RANDALL - 9
The young scrum-half stuck to Radradra’s shoulder to score the quickest try in European cup final history. The big Toulon pack looked to disturb his quick ball, but he passed his test as he was able to improvise and make the most of messy ball in Bristol’s loose style of play.
His box-kicking was also on the money. YANN THOMAS - 8
Thomas was strong in the Bears scrum and forced his opposite number JeanBaptiste Gros down on several occasions. He also made some big hits in defence.
HARRY THACKER - 7
The hooker made eight tackles, which was the second joint highest of the Bears. He was unfortunate not to score from a great driving maul when he lost control of the ball as he went to ground the ball.
KYLE SINCKLER - 8
Showed glimpses of his best in attack with his subtle tip-ons allowing the Bears to get over the gainline. He also composed himself well in a scrum which kept giving away a number of free-kicks and worked hard in defence.
DAVE ATTWOOD - 8
The England man was the leader of the Bears line-out and it offered them a stable base in a game that was fast-paced and featured a lot of loose ball.
JOE JOYCE - 8
The second row was unlucky to not score what would have been one of the tries of the season after Radradra’s pass went forward before he finished spectacularly in the corner.
CHRIS VUI - 7
The Samoan was shifted to the back row after a the withdrawal of captain Steven Luatua to be with his wife for the birth of their daughter. He was a menace at the line-out, causing the French side problems and stealing the ball on a couple of occasions. Taken off at half-time after suffering a heavy knock.
DAN THOMAS - 9
The openside popped up everywhere across the pitch sweeping up loose balls, making carries and making his tackles. BEN EARL - 10
The 22-year-old showed the quality that had been learned in his time at Saracens and that determination to keep working hard throughout the game. He made important turnovers at key moments. REPLACEMENTS: George Kloska - N/A, Jake Woolmore - 7, John Afoa - 9, Ed Holmes - N/A, Jake Heenan - 8, Tom Kessell - N/A, Piers O’Conor - 7, Niyi Adeolokun - N/A.