Hughes puts on a show as Bristol topple Gloucester
Nathan Hughes put in a man-of-thematch performance, no doubt showing Eddie Jones what he is missing after his omission from England’s Six Nations squad, to help Bristol to their first Premiership victory – after four consecutive defeats – against a wearylooking Gloucester side.
Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam admitted his side’s recent patchy form would have dented Hughes’s chances, but was surprised Eddie Jones did not see his No 8 as a viable “like-for-like” option, after Billy Vunipola’s injury.
“Unfortunately we had a dip as a team at the wrong time. If we had played like that earlier on, Nathan, and possibly a few others, could have made the Six Nations,” said Lam. “I said to them to keep playing well and put your name in there. here.
“If you are looking for a like-forlike, Nathan does a lot of what at Billy [ Vunipola] does. We have worked a lot on Nathan’s involvement in the game. He is getting 60-80-minute minute games now. I put my foot on his neck to ensure he gets his conditioning right and he does that. All he can do is make sure he is putting his name in the hat by playing well ell for us.”
It was not surprising, considering the historic rivalry which this derby fixture brings but also how both sides are chasing a Premiership play-off spot, that there would be a high penalty count with both teams’ discipline fraying in the first half. The hosts came out on top as fly-half Callum Sheedy, who is English, Irish and Welsh qualified, slotted five easy penalties while the Cherry and Whites’ Wales fly-half Owen Williams answered with five of his own in the first half.
Gloucester head coach Johann Ackermann bemoaned his side’s lack of discipline. “We let them have a lot of kickable penalties, which allowed them to build their score,” he said.
A sub-plot to the match was the tale of two wings. While 18-year-old Louis Rees-Zammit had been hitting the headlines in recent weeks for his performances for Gloucester, which had led to a Six Nations call-up for Wales, the starlet looked overwhelmed, only touching the ball once in the first hour.
Conversely, Henry Purdy, made a much bigger bi contribution for Bristol.
He ha had been released by Gloucester at the en end of last season, before playing for Otag Otago in New Zealand’s provincial competi competition and then being signed by Coventr Coventry in the Championship.
Thanks to some quick thinking by Lam’s former team-mate, John Afoa, he was recommended to Bristol and signed on loan just two weeks ago, so was on hand to score his side’s opening try in the 45th minute.
Tries from Australian full-back Luke Morahan and replacement Mat Protheroe put Bristol 34-9 in front, with just seven minutes left on the clock.
Gloucester took advantage of a lack of late focus from Bristol with replacement Freddie Clarke crashing over for a late try.