Bristol to battle Bath in season opener at Ashton Gate

The eagerly awaited 2022-23 Premiership will kick off at Ashton Gate this season with a humdinger as Bristol host their neighbours, Bath Rugby.  

Bath are at the commencement of a new chapter as a string of poor seasons prompted a cleaning of house with Head Coach Neal Hatley making way for Johann van Graan who enjoyed a successful five years with Irish heavyweights, Munster. 

Bath fared well in their pre-season warm-up game against the Jersey Reds, the final whistle sounding with the score at 38-17: 

A significant development in the formidable Bristol pack sees England international Ellis Genge make his debut for the club after 111 appearances in the Leicester Tigers jersey. 

Genge, at the age of just 27, has proved himself to be one of the top loosehead props in the world and, apart from great talent in the set-piece, exhibits an enthusiastic taste for the physicality of the game. 

There was speculation that Genge would not be permitted to take the field in the opening round as England players who toured Australia recently were instructed to take 10 weeks rest. However, the Bristol coaching staff came to an agreement with Eddie Jones and co. which will allow Genge to take part in the derby. 

“You have to put in your plan for them and proposals, and each club is different,” Lam said. 

“You apply to the game management board which is in partnership with PRL and the RPA. 

“We put a plan in for Ellis and it started on the basis that he arrived here and saw the first game and said: ‘It is non-negotiable. I am playing that game. No one is stopping me playing that game.’ 

“That was his mindset, so then we had to put a plan in place about how we would manage his game time going into November and then going into the Six Nations. I was able to share that with Eddie and he was very happy, and then it went to the game management board and they all signed it off. 

“Ellis is highly excited for the game and there are still a few seats left if people want to so the impact he will make for Bristol on his homecoming.” 

When asked for comment on the effect Genge has had on the squad since joining, Lam oozed positivity. 

“Phenomenal is the word. His actions first and foremost, followed by very calm words that match the actions. But more importantly, he has enjoyed himself because he has come home really. 

“He has already been out and about in the community. It is good to have him back.” 

The teams faced each other twice last season with one victory apiece. 

Round 3 saw Bristol earn a five-point win at Ashton Gate: 

In the return fixture, Bath tasted revenge as they managed to come out on top, 29-27:   

Bath will take the pitch with four debutants (Piers Francis, Matt Gallagher, Chris Cloete and Aranos Coetzee) and a new captain in scrumhalf Ben Spencer. 

Johann van Graan said: “The opening game in the Premiership is something you relish as a sportsman. I’m looking forward to seeing the players perform on Friday night. 

“We have spoken about the pride of the jersey, and we want to make our supporters proud, and we want everyone associated with Bath Rugby to be proud of each other.” 

There is much room for improvement for both Bristol and Bath after the last campaign which saw the former finish in tenth spot on the log while the latter ended stone last with just five victories from 23 outings.