Bears merit a first prize
CONGRATULATIONS to Bristol for winning the league. The Premiership title, of course, is another matter, but there should be greater recognition for finishing top of the table.
It might have ended with four points as the Bears’ last regularseason fixture was cancelled due to a Covid outbreak at London Irish, but there should be no doubt about the significance of what Pat Lam’s talented team have achieved.
Last year, third place equalled their best return in 2006-07. Before that, Bristol’s highest position in the league era was fourth in the old Division One back in 1993-94.
Of course, owner Steve Lansdown’s wealth has ignited this resurgence, but Lam is a shrewd motivator and man-manager who has inspired a squad ranging from world- class imports to locals who have come through the academy.
They have moulded into an impressive, dazzling entity.
Yet there are no prizes for first place, which is wrong. More should be done to reward the hard slog involved in performing better than all other challengers over a period of several months, rather than loading all the glory on to two knockout weekends.
Bristol have earned a home playoff and it promises to be a thriller against adventurous Harlequins. Bristol should have more of the X-factor — as well as the support — and should prevail.
But Sale showed how a supremelyorganised defence can nullify the free-flowing Bears. Leaky Quins have a week to forge the resilience.
There are grim omens for Bristol as the club who have finished top of the league have only gone on to win the Premiership trophy six times.
On 11 occasions, the team who have finished second have become champions, so history suggests Exeter have a major chance of retaining their title.
For Sale, the omens are especially bleak. After losing by a point at Sandy Park on Saturday, they have to go back there to face Rob Baxter’s Chiefs and no club finishing third has ever gone on to become champions in 18 previous seasons.
To reiterate — this is supposed to be a league. Even if, one day, a new, shiny global season removes the fixture-overlap excuse for the play-off format, Premiership Rugby will keep it because it generates revenue.
So, officially, Bristol are not champions. But they won the marathon which precedes the sprint and English rugby needs to do more to celebrate that feat.