Newcastle Red Bulls v Bristol Bears match preview

Friday night sees Newcastle Red Bulls host Bristol Bears in the latest round of Gallagher Prem fixtures in front of what looks to be building to be a big crowd at Kingston Park. Both teams were involved in high scoring games last weekend, in the case of Red Bulls they were on the wrong end of a high score being beaten 62-3 at Leicester. For Bristol they had a big 53-12 derby victory against Gloucester.

You know what you’ll get with Bristol

When Bristol play they play and play very well. They’re one of the most entertaining sides to watch in the Gallagher Prem. For the opposition it can be a nightmare though and Red Bulls will know that if they kick loose like they did at times against Leicester they’ll be in for a long night. 

Bristol don’t just have a running game, their scrum with Ellis Genege and George Kloska is improved. They find themselves chasing a top four finish and a place in the play-offs, they’ll be keen to put this Red Bulls outfit to the sword.

More needed from Red Bulls

Saturday afternoon had the feeling that the season had gone for Red Bulls, they were their own worst enemy in the first quarter which set the tone for the game. They were left chasing the game and could never get a foothold in the game. As I said after last weekend, there needs to be a reaction. Bristol will play loose and there will be a chance for Red Bulls to score some tries but regardless they have to show more than they did last week.

They have to try and turn this game into a scrap and frustrate Bristol. If they can do that they can start to look to cause Bristol problems. We’ve seen what Christian Wade can do given the opportunity, if he can combine with Josh Hodge then that can start to cause Bristol problems. Stephen Jones has started to show some green shoots coming into the attack and if they can click they can cause Bristol problems.

Team news

Pat Lam has named his side and in the front row Ellis Genge, Gabriel Oghre and George Kloska form a more than useful trio. The second row sees the impressive Joe Batley and James Dun combine. The back row sees Joe Owen at blindside, Fitz Harding leading the side at openside and Benjamin Grondona at number eight. 

Harry Randall and Tom Jordan are at halfback, Randall will look to add tempo to the Bristol play. The centres sees Benhard Janse Van Rensburg and former Newcastle man Matias Moroni come together. Janse Van Rensburg is the glue for this Bristol side. The back three sees Noah Heward, Gabriel Ibitoye and Rich Lane named. 

On the bench there’s Harry Thacker, Jake Woolmore and Max Lahiff covering the front row. George Taylor and Kofi Cripps cover the back five. The backs are covered by Sam Wolstenholme, James Williams and the electric Kalaveti Ravouvou. 

For Red Bulls, there’s still sixteen players unavailable. In the front row Adam Brocklebank, Ollie Fletcher and Murray McCallum start. In the second row Jamie Hodgson partners Finn Baker who makes his first Gallagher Prem start. The back row sees Freddie Clarke come in at blindside, Tom Christie captains from openside and Reuben Parsons starts at number eight. 

In the backs James Elliott and Brett Connon form a new halfback pairing. Rhys Beeckmans and Alex Hearle continue their centre partnership. The back three sees Elliott Obatoyinbo, Christian Wade and Josh Hodge form an exciting looking attacking trio but it’s their defence that could be under the most threat.

On the bench Samson Adejimi, Micky Rewcastle and Richard Palframan cover the front row. John Hawkins, George Bolam and Amanaki Mafi who makes a welcome return from injury cover the back five. Sam Stuart and Ben Healy cover the backs as Red Bulls go 6-2 again.

While there’s still a chance Red Bulls have to believe

As much as it doesn’t feel like it after last week, Red Bulls have to believe that they still have a chance to finish in the top eight. They’re sitting nine points off Gloucester in eighth who have no form whatsoever, Harlequins showed a bit more fight against Bath and just above them something is wrong at Sale as they conceded eighty five points at home last weekend. Although they won’t catch Sale, crucially they have home games against Harlequins and Sale and an away trip to Gloucester. Given the form Red Bulls have to believe they can catch those above them and scrap for any points they can.