This is how we beat them, reveals Biljon
HARVEY Biljon has the satisfaction as rugby director of Jersey Reds of being the only team in the Championship to defeat Bristol this season, causing a sensational 38-34 upset at Ashton Gate in early March.
However, Biljon knows also that being competitive in the Championship often carries a sting in its tail, and this season it came in the guise of losing three players – props Jake Armstrong and Jake Woolmore, and wing Tom Pincus – to the league winners.
Biljon says players being picked off by promoted sides is a familiar story: “Reds lost four players my first year here, five the next, eight the next, and seven so far this year. This season we had 22 new players, but that is the nature of the Championship – we give our players the opportunity to go onwards and upwards.”
He says the victory over a free-running Bristol side was the result of planning being put into action. “We spoke about control being essential in two areas. We wanted control of tempo, to frustrate Bristol’s desire to play fast and to get our defence set, and control of territory to put the pressure on them. We felt we could do that at scrum time in particular.”
Biljon adds. “When it comes to set-piece the Championship is a fantastic breeding ground for tight five forwards, and when they get the chance to play in the Premiership they are ready. I hope our guys get the chance at Bristol, because they will be an asset. These are guys who are used to spit and sawdust, and will get themselves primed for games at Rotherham and Cornish Pirates in the mud and rain, so on a nice Premiership pitch I’d back them to bring competitiveness and drive.”
The Jersey boss says Bristol are a quality outfit, but that they will need at least parity up front to launch their exciting backs, and to work hard on defence. “It is in the forwards that they will be tested most, and where they have to make the biggest leap. Defensively they also have to continue to improve, because if you give players in that league half a chance it’s points against.”
Biljon’s views on Bristol are mirrored by Cornish Pirates coach Gavin Cattle. “The Championship is a funny old beast, because there is a big emphasis on the set piece – and if Bristol’s had functioned better they would have been even further ahead. If you look at the Jersey game, they have one of the best setpieces in the Championship, and they forced Bristol into mistakes.”
Cattle adds: “The setpiece is also very big in the Premiership, and you only have to look at the emphasis that Exeter and Saracens put on it. Bristol are up against it – as any Championship club is – because the step-up is significant. It’s relentless.”
He concludes: “It will be a tough ride ahead, but hopefully the experience of players like John Afoa will provide the crucial anchor points they require up front.”