Bears Beyond The Gate

It was a real heartbreaker on Boxing Day as Leicester Tigers scored in the dying seconds to win 26-28 at the Gate. A wonderful game of rugby for the neutral and probably the best Bears' peformance of the season so far. 

Hear our thoughts on the game, tactics and player performances. There was also the return to Bristol of Ellis Genge, accompanied by a new chant from the stands. We give our thoughts on his performance and talk to his dad, Richard.

The next game is on New Year's Day away at Exeter. We discuss likely team selections and give our predictions on the score.

All this and more with Tony, Lee, Miles and Pete.

This episode was recorded online.

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In this show we start with the big news this week that Ellis Genge is returning home to Bristol next season. We talk about the 'Baby Rhino' heading back to BS3 and what this means for him and the squad for next year.

With the trip to Paris to play Stade Francais postponed at short notice we take a look at the team Pat selected and ponder on the future of this year's competition. 

We also look ahead to the big Boxing Day fixture against the unbeaten Leicester Tigers at Ashton Gate.  With a fixture that has more spice this year than a vindaloo, we talk to our friend at the Rolling Maul podcast (Leicester fan pod) about the Genge  transfer and accompanying promo video, last season's 'scrumgate' and the Boxing Day match up. It's a cracking listen.

There's also Under 18s discussions, the Women's team and transfer gossip about an incoming international hooker.

All this and more with Tony, Lee, Miles and Pete.

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In this week's podcast we discuss the cancellation of the home game against Scarlets, where we've been awarded a 28-0 - five point win - as our opponents were unable to field a team. Looks good on paper for the start of our Champions Cup campaign, but will this week off be a blessing in disguise or a setback for our European ambitions.

We also look ahead to the trip to Paris for the next European game against State Francais. We hear from our good friend Remi Calandra, a State Francais fan, about the team's performances this season, players to watch and how the game will go next week.

With over a third of the league season over, we also have a debate on what's happened to the Bears this season and give our predictions on how the rest of the league campaign will pan out. Can the Bears make the top four this term - hear our thoughts on likely league positions.

All this and more including the women's team regaining top spot in the league table.

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In this week's show we discuss Bristol's dissapointing 27-10 defeat away at Kingsholm. With possible our strongest match-day squad of the season, expectations were raised but not matched by the result.

We talk about the performances, tactics and ask when will the Bears start to click again?

There's also the start of our European Champions Cup campaign at home to Scarlets this weekend. But with the bulk of the Welsh team's squad not out of COVID-19 isolation until 24 hours before the game what's going to happen? 

Will we face a patched up Scarlets XV or will the game be forfeited to protect player welfare. Hear our thoughts on the show.

All this and more with Tony, Lee, Miles, Pete and our guest tree!

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We pick the bones out of the 20-36 home defeat to Northampton Saints. Despite quick starts in both halves, our scrum disintegrated during the game starving the Bears of possession and territory at crucial times. We talk team selection and tactics and who stood out on a night it went wrong for Bristol.

We also have our friend Ed from the Cherry Jam podcast to review the upcoming league game against Gloucester at Kingsholm. Will it be Gloucester or Bristol Bears with their hands on the Rifles Cup come Friday night.

There's also our thoughts on the women's win to keep them top of the league and breaking new ground with BBC coverage. Plus a proud moment for a Bear BaaBaa at Twickenham.

All this and more on this week's show, with Tony, Lee, Miles, Pete and Mr Tree!

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In this week's show we talk about the disappointing 68-13 defeat at Sixways in the Premiership Cup. We take a look at the performance and ask how important is this cup competition and should we restructure it for next season.

We also chat to Graham McKechnie, Sports Editor at BBC Northampton, about the next league fixture at home to the Saints. Get Graham's take on Northampton's season so far and his thoughts on their prospects for the trip to Ashton Gate.

All this and more on this week's show with Tony, Lee and Pete.

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In this week's show we discuss the 33-27 win for Bristol against Exeter Chiefs in our opening game of this season's Premiership Rugby Cup. A blend of experience and youth helped overcome our Devon rivals at Sandy Park.

We talk about the performance and some of the new names that pulled on a Bears' shirt for the first time. We also look ahead to the next cup tie away at Worcester.

The big news this week was the announcement that USA international fly half, AJ MacGinty, will join Bristol form the 2022-23 season, adding depth to our options at 10.  Hear our thoughts on AJ and if he will be a back-up to Sheedy or will take the starting spot. We also discuss the rumours around a couple of star props that have been linked with Bristol in the last week or so.

All this and more with Tony, Lee, Miles and Pete.

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In this week's show we celebrate back-to-back bonus-point wins after Bristol beat Worcester 27-5 at Ashton Gate. We give our thoughts on theme, tactics and player performances. Have we turned the tide this season or is it a false dawn?

We also look ahead to the start of the Premiership Rugby Cup campaign with a trip down the M5 to Sandy Park. We discuss how Pat will approach the competition - a chance to keep building momentum with the first team or a chance to bring through some of the fringe and academy players.

Where is Brizzley? Our furry friend has been missing from mascot duties for a while now. Is he safe? Did he pick up a knock in training? Or as he been quietly retired from the match-day experience. We want to know #whereisbrizzley

All this and more with Lee, Miles, Pete and Tony.

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After our rest week Lee, Miles, Pete and Tony are back to discuss the Bears 45-33 win away at London Irish. A gripping fixture saw Bristol score three unanswered tries in the first 20 minutes and then finish the half with three men in the sin bin.

In a gutsy performance, Bristol managed to take control in the second half to run out as winners. We talk tactics, performances and take a closer look at some of those yellow card moments.

We then turn our attention to the next game at home against Worcester. Giving us the inside track on the Warrior's season so far is Marcello Cossali-Francis, sports editor at the Worcestershire News. We discuss Pat Lam's selection options and give our score prediction for the game.

All this and more on this week's show,

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In this week's show we give our thoughts on the Bears latest league defeat, a 13-5 reversal away at Newcastle Falcons. A much changed team saw plenty of fresh faces against the Falcons but some of the old problems raised their heads again.

We also talk to the one and only Jerry Browne from the London Irish  Supporters Association about the forthcoming trip to Brentford to play the Exiles in their new stadium. 

All this and more on this week's show.

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