- Bristol scored six tries to beat Bath and get back into top-four contention
- The Bears’ ‘Big Day Out’ at Principality Stadium attracted a huge crowd of 51,095
- Bath’s young guns didn’t go away despite defeat, with Richards standing out
A first Gallagher Premiership match in Wales, a wonderful rugby occasion, and a much-needed return to winning ways for Bristol after three straight defeats.
Yes, this was Bath’s youngsters.
Their head of rugby Johann van Graan had rested his first-choice players with a home play-off spot already sealed and a Challenge Cup final to come.
But that didn’t detract from the action at Principality Stadium.
Cardiff was awash with hordes of fans from both sides, the majority of whom travelled over the border by train and swilled lager in the Welsh sun.
A fantastic crowd of 51,095 – a club record for a Bristol game – was in attendance for the Bears’ ‘Big Day Out’ and this won’t be the last time they play here.
Bristol’s players celebrate their ‘Big Day Out’ win over rivals Bath at Principality Stadium
Ellis Genge, selected for the British & Irish Lions this week, jumps for joy at one of Bristol’s tries
Pat Lam’s side didn’t make it easy for themselves with four yellow cards, but it was the ‘home’ side who went home happy.
‘It was amazing to play in front of so many Bristolians,’ said Ellis Genge, the only British & Irish Lion on show, after his team reasserted their top-four credentials.
‘It was a special, special day for us for some many reasons. There’s still a bit of work to do, but we’re happy.
‘For a lot of the boys it was a pinch me moment to play in this stadium.’
Lions assistant coach Simon Easterby was in attendance to watch Genge.
Bath’s Lions Finn Russell and Will Stuart were rested. Their reserves impressed physically with captain Ewan Richards standing out.
Lock Richards made a fine first-half break and scored a stunner after the break. He is an outside bet to tour the Americas with England this summer.
Bath’s utility back Ciaran Donoghue also had some promising moments at fly-half after being given the unenviable task of filling Russell’s boots.
Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam hailed a fantastic occasion on his team’s ‘Big Day Out’
Bath rested their first-choice players, but their young guns still impressed in defeat
The action was fast and furious at a packed Principality Stadium with a crowd of 51,095
Donoghue opened the scoring before being cut in half by Bill Mata. In the end, despite some scares, Bristol scored six tries.
Their director of rugby Lam said: ‘It was a wonderful occasion.
‘Credit to our board for having the foresight to bring the game here. It was an experience we won’t forget. Five points is massive for us.’
Interestingly, the crowd here massively surpassed the 28,328 who watched Welsh club rugby’s Judgement Day double header of fixtures at the same venue last month.
Van Graan was disappointed at his team having a first-half try ruled out.
He said: ‘It felt like a Test match. It was incredible. I haven’t heard that many boos in the Premiership. There were some missed opportunities for us.’
The Premiership and Premiership Women’s Rugby yesterday (SAT) confirmed an extension to its contract with principal broadcaster TNT Sports until the end of the 2030/31 season.
