Bristol Bears booked a home last 16 knockout game in the Challenge Cup with a five try 33-19 victory over Perpignan on Friday night in the final pool stage game of the 2022/23 European Challenge Cup.
Ellis Genge scored a brace of tries on his final appearance for the club before linking up with England for Six Nations duty and was joined on the scoresheet by Dan Thomas, Harry Randall and Siva Naulago.
Perpignan scored three tries Ali Crossdale, Nino Seguela and Victor Molo.
Rugby writer Archie Connolly takes a closer look at the individual performances of the Bristol Bears players.....
15. Rich Lane – 6
Showed one or two nice touches in attack, albeit without the flare of those around him.
Made 19 metres from six carrires and missed no tackles but couldn’t quite assert himself into the game as perhaps he would have liked and lost the ball on a couple of occasions in promising field position.
14. Deago Bailey – 6
Started well, chasing down a Harry Randall box kick to give his side good attacking position. One of the quieter backs in an attacking sense but was positionally sound before sadly being replaced with an ankle injury half an hour into the encounter.
Replaced by Jack Bates.
13. Semi Radradra – 8
A lot of Bristol’s work came through the Fijian talisman who’s carrying, and offloading was too much for Perpignan to handle as the Bears ran riot in the first half.
Could have scored Bristol’s fifth but after good work from Randall he gifted the score to his captain Ellis Genge who scored his second of the evening.
Finished the game having made 54 metres from 13 carries and oozed class and quality throughout.
Made the game look very easy at times especially in a pulsating first half.
12. James Williams – 7
Not as flashy as his colleagues but was solid and gave the side a focal point in attack to build off. Showed his skill as well at the beginning of the second half to set Harding away with a great offload which sadly came to nothing.
Made eight tackles missing none and 22 metres from seven carries in a very good physical performance and looks like somebody who could play a key role going forward.
11. Siva Naulago – 7
Looked a threat from the start bouncing off his opposite number with ease. In the right place at the right time to score in the corner and give Bristol their bonus point inside half an hour. Also buried his opposite number into touch showcasing is defensive ability.
Defensively astute again at the beginning of the second period fielding a tricky kick with aplomb to nullify a dangerous situation.
Limited ball in the second period but should have scored a second after a dropping a looping pass from Sheedy with the try line beckoning.
Overall, though a good showing and can offer a lot to this Bristol side going forward.
10. AJ MacGinty – 9
Made a great break which eventually led to Randall’s try and went close to teeing up another score moments later. The good work continued as he produced a delightful pass to find Genge for the Bears' second try.
One of his best performances since his arrival at Ashton Gate this summer from Sale Sharks, looking really dangerous on the ball.
Couldn’t quite find the same magic during the second half but overall was a fantastic performance before being replaced by Sheedy on 60 minutes.
9. Harry Randall – 8
Came out and played with a real zip and did well to find space to dive over after Perpignan took a shock lead. Then did brilliantly to chase down his own kick and force a turnover to pile the pressure on the visitors.
The scrum-half then found Radradra in a hole which led to Genge’s try and highlighted what he brings to this side when fit, bringing a real zip to their play.
Replaced by Uren on 53 minutes after a fine display.
1. Ellis Genge – 9
Outstanding.
Started full of energy and made some strong carries and wasn’t deterred despite one or two passes going to floor. Ran a great support line to latch on to MacGinty’s offload and run in unopposed for the Bears’ second score.
His first half work continued as he rampaged through off a set piece move before finding Radradra with a delightful offload and he then combined with Fitz Harding to find Naulago for Bristol’s fourth.
Radradra found him for the easiest of scores to round off an incredible first half for the captain where he made 52 metres from seven carries.
Was quieter in the second period like most of his team but was still no doubt man of the match when replaced with minutes to go.
2. Harry Thacker – 6
Off the back of a hat-trick in Italy it was a difficult start for the hooker who was caught at the back of the maul before failing to find Siva Naulago from a set move moments later.
One or two lineouts went astray but the hooker was everywhere and showed his footballing ability to control a Radradra offload and find Dan Thomas on his inside shoulder who raced in for the Bears third try of the half.
Busy throughout and lots of touches but not his best night with one or two linepouts going astray and some loose moments on the ball.
Still a really big part of this side but not quite his night.
3. Kyle Sinckler – 8
Like his fellow prop began superbly and produced one or two lovely touches as well as some big carries to get the Bears on the front foot.
Dominant at the scrum as well, the England Internationale enjoyed a fine evening demonstrating his all-round game throughout.
Replaced by Max Lahiff on 68 minutes.
4. Joe Batley – 7
Very good in the lineout when found and carried well in the loose when called upon.
Is a solid presence in the pack and goes about his business quietly but is a valuable part of the side.
Finished having made nine tackles missing none in a fine physical performance.
5. Chris Vui – 7
In from the start for the injured Joe Joyce, the lock linked play well in the outside channels and made metres constantly throughout the first half in an encouraging display.
Bristol became disjointed in the second half and the lock couldn’t quite have the same impact but finished having made 28 metres from eight carries and 11 tackles missing none in the process.
Replaced by John Hawkins on 60 minutes following a good display.
6. Magnus Bradbury – 6
Reasonably subdued in the first half but did well when called upon making 19 metres from four carries and put in a couple of big tackles in defence.
7. Dan Thomas – 7
Like all good open sides his support play was superb as he linked up with Thacker to score and acquitted himself well in the first half.
However, whether he slipped or not it was his space which Moro was able to run into and score underneath the posts as Perpignan crossed for their second try of the second half and would have left the flanker disappointed with his effort.
Despite his mistake for the try the flanker was everywhere making 13 tackles as well as scoring his try and on the whole put in a decent evening’s work.
8. Fitz Harding – 8
Eventually found Naulago in the corner to score a superb team try off the set piece. Impressive throughout the first period and looked to have scored Bristol’s fifth only to be held up over the line. His work rate was superb making 48 metres from seven carries and nine tackles in the first period alone.
That work rate continued in the second half and was one of the standouts from the Bears bonus point victory and it was a positive sign to see him particularly in the first half playing so well , ending up having made 72 metres from 11 carries.
Replacements:
16. Fred Davies – N/A
On for Thacker with moments to go and not on long enough to give a fair rating.
17. Jake Woolmore – N/A
Replaced the superb Genge but was not on long enough to really judge his performance.
18. Max Lahiff – 5
On for Sinckler and should have scored only to spill over the line as Bristol failed to register a point in the second half.
19. John Hawkins – 5
Came on for Vui and didn’t really impose himself on the game. Made a couple of carries and 1 tackle as the game drifted to it’s end late in the second half.
20. Jake Heenan – N/A
Not on long enough.
21. Andy Uren – 6
Couldn’t have the same impact as Randall as Bristol stagnated in attack in the second period but tried to get something going albeit with no reward.
22. Callum Sheedy – 6
Came on for the impressive Macginty and to his credit tried to get something going but his passes didn’t quite stick albeit Naulago should have taken in one of his passes.
Did his best to give the Bristol Bears something to cheer about at the end but couldn’t quite manage it, in a frustrating cameo for the Welsh International.
23. Jack Bates – 5
Came on for the injured Bailey and had a couple of bright moments on the ball but made a poor defensive read which allowed Perpignan to grab their second try of the game after the break.
Had limited chance to show what he could do as the ball failed to come his away and the game rather passed him by.
