Exeter Chiefs head to Bristol Bears on Friday night in Round 25 of the 2021/22 Gallagher Premiership with director of rugby Rob Baxter stating this week that his side need 10 points from the remaining two league games to have a hope of making the play-offs.
Bristol Bears' only victory in their last six Gallagher Premiership matches was by the narrowest of margins, 29-28 at home to Gloucester on 22 April. The Bears' home record in Premiership Rugby at Ashton Gate this season is won six, lost five.
Exeter Chiefs have won just one of their last four Gallagher Premiership fixtures: 42-22 at home to Bath on 2 April. The Chiefs have won just twice away from home in Premiership Rugby in 2022, 15-14 at Newcastle in Round 17 and 34-31 at Northampton in Round 18.
But Exeter have lost only two of the nine previous meetings with Bristol in Premiership Rugby, both strangely at Sandy Park in 2019 and 2021. The Chiefs have won on all seven previous visits they have made to Ashton Gate against all opponents in all competitions.
Here are all the ways you can follow the action.
What time is kick-off?
Bristol Bears v Exeter Chiefs kicks-off at 7.45pm on Friday, May 20.
Is the game on TV?
Yes.
Thanks to the latest innovation by Premiership Rugby every game is now available to watch online on PRTV.
This weekend's match has not been selected to be broadcast on BT Sport, but the game will be broadcast live on the Premiership Rugby app.
A match pass will cost £4.99, and a full round pass will cost £6.99.
Highlights will also be available live on PRTV as well as BT Sport and ITV.
To buy matches on PRTV Live click here (link to premiershiprugby.com/prtvlive ) and to subscribe to BT Sport click here.
How else can I follow the game?
If you can’t watch the game live at The Rec you can follow live play-by-play updates, reaction, analysis and interviews on our live blog on Bristol Live
BBC Radio Bristol will also be providing live commentary from the game.
What's the team news?
Bristol Bears: 15. Charles Piutau, 14. Luke Morahan, 13. Piers O’Conor, 12. Alapati Leiua, 11. Toby Fricker, 10. Callum Sheedy, 9. Harry Randall; 1. Jake Woolmore, 2. Harry Thacker 3. John Afoa, 4. Dave Attwood, 5. Joe Joyce, 6. Chris Vui, 7. Sam Jeffries, 8. Steven Luatua (c).
Replacements: 16. Bryan Byrne, 17. Jono Benz-Salomon, 18. Jake Armstrong, 19. Fitz Harding, 20. Dan Thomas, 21. Andy Uren, 22. Ioan Lloyd, 23. Jack Bates.
Exeter Chiefs: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Olly Woodburn, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Ian Whitten, 11 Josh Hodge, 10 Joe Simmonds, 9 Sam Maunder; 1 Alec Hepburn, 2 Jack Yeandle (capt), 3 Harry Williams, 4 Jonny Gray, 5 Sam Skinner, 6 Dave Ewers, 7 Jannes Kirsten, 8 Jacques Vermeulen.
Replacements: 16 Jack Innard, 17 James Kenny, 18 Patrick Schickerling, 19 Dafydd Jenkins, 20 Santiago Grondona, 21 Stu Townsend, 22 Harvey Skinner, 23 Tom Hendrickson
Who are the officials?
Referee: Luke Pearce (128th Premiership game).
Assistant Referees: Mike Hudson and Phil Watters.
TMO: Tom Foley.
Citing Officer: Duncan Bell.
What are the odds?
Bristol Bears 6/4
Draw 20/1
Exeter Chiefs 1/2
Odds taken from SkyBet, correct at the time of publication. Please gamble responsibly.
