• Bristol 34-16 Gloucester
• Henry Purdy scores against old club
Premiership clubs were quick to welcome the demotion of Saracens, but they are appreciably slower in filling the vacuum at the top of the table left by the champions. Bristol and Gloucester are among the clubs contending for a place in the play-offs, but a West Country derby high on endeavour but short on class will not soothe the concerns of commercial backers who fear the tournament’s worth has been devalued.
What would have been an engrossing relegation battle has been denied and there is no one to match Exeter, although the Chiefs have to show they can battle on two fronts. Other than the top two, and Saracens, no club went into this round of matches having won more than half of their matches with little to distinguish them.
Written by Paul Rees at Ashton Gate Stadium
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/jan/25/bristol-gloucester-premiership-match-report under the title “Nathan Hughes inspires convincing Bristol win over Gloucester”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
