NORTHAMPTON
every possibility Bristol could be nought from five come October given an upcoming fixture list of Wasps, Exeter and Saracens.
George North was first to score after a fine offload from Hartley and then France No8 Louis Picamoles was rumbled over from a lineout drive.
When Pisi went over after a cross-kick by the restored – and newly bearded – Stephen Myler, the wind was well and truly knocked out of Bristol’s sails. The game was as good as over.
“We needed to come here and shut the crowd up and put a massive doubt in Bristol’s mind that they can cope at this level and we did that quite well,” said Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder.
There was a show of spirit from Bristol after the interval with ex-Saint Ross McMillan muscling his way over in the 50th minute after Ben Mosses had taken a good angle off scrum ball.
The crowd of 11,322 lent their throaty support to Bristol’s efforts, hinting at what a hothouse