Bristol v Bayonne Friday 14 Dec - KO 7.30

Here’s a gimme. If Bristol don’t beat the –37 points Cap against Bayonne then I’ll go to the foot of our stairs. Bayonnne have lost in Bucharest and got humped against the Dragons by 50 points. I was at the Dragons game and they literally got into our 22 once during the entire game…they were truly dire and that was against our Academy side. Granted Bristol may rest a few players but in order to beat the Dragons to the top of the group they need a bonus point to keep pace. They will get the BP easily and will want to repay a loyal and numerous crowd at the Memorial with a high scoring display.

Just a quick note from Hill after the Bayonne game last week:

“At Bayonne we had gale force winds and driving rain – the referee had to keep stopping the match because the advertising hoardings were being blown onto the pitch – and, as we were playing into the wind in the first half, we simply could not kick the ball.
“That meant keeping the ball in hand and our ball retention and phase play was excellent, resulting in us scoring three very good tries and that was effectively the job done by half-time before we had the gale on our backs. Now we are focusing on the return leg.”

Bayonne are basically using the same 22 as last week – honestly folks – a gimme. In fact it could get embarrassing for the French

Recommendation: Bristol –37 @ Skybet*