2020-21 European Rugby Champions Cup – Connacht vs Bristol Preview & Prediction

Select the sports you want to hear about and TSZ will send the best previews, analysis and predictions straight to your inbox. Sign up today!

THE FACTS

When is Connacht vs Bristol taking place? Sunday 20th December, 2020 – 17:30 (UK)

Where is Connacht vs Bristol taking place? The Sportsground, Galway

Where can I get tickets for Connacht vs Bristol? Visit official club websites for ticket information

What television channel is Connacht vs Bristol on? This match will be televised live on BT Sport

Where can I stream Connacht vs Bristol? BT Sport subscribers can stream the match live via the BT Sport website & app

THE TEAM NEWS

Connacht: 15 John Porch, 14 Alex Wootton, 13 Sammy Arnold, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Matt Healy, 10 Jack Carty, 9 Kieran Marmion, 8 Paul Boyle (c), 7 Conor Oliver, 6 Sean Masterson, 5 Ultan Dillane, 4 Eoghan Masterson, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Dave Heffernan, 1 Denis Buckley

Replacements: 16 Shane Delahunt, 17 Jordan Duggan, 18 Jack Aungier, 19 Cian Prendergast, 20 Jarrad Butler, 21 Caolin Blade, 22 Tom Daly, 23 Tiernan O’Halloran

Bristol Bears: 15 Max Malins, 14 Siva Naulago, 13 Piers O’Conor, 12 Siale Piutau, 11 Alapati Leiua, 10 Callum Sheedy, 9 Harry Randall, 8 Nathan Hughes, 7 Ben Earl, 6 Steven Luatua (c), 5 Ed Holmes, 4 Dave Attwood, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Bryan Byrne, 1 Jake Woolmore

Replacements: 16 Will Capon, 17 Max Lahiff, 18 John Afoa, 19 Joe Joyce, 20 Dan Thomas, 21 Andy Uren, 22 Ioan Lloyd, 23 Niyi Adeolokun

THE PREDICTION

Bristol overcame an early defeat to Wasps in the new Premiership season to string two wins together but they lost in a big way to Clermont Auvergne last weekend, despite scoring 38 points of their own. It remains to be seen how that 38-51 result will affect the Bears, who are the current Challenge Cup holders, as they travel to Connacht to face a side who also lost to French opposition in round 1. Connacht have struggled for rhythm in the Pro14 with so many postponements but are still fourth overall and a quality team on their day. The hosts’ league loss to Scarlets this time last month will be Bristol’s blueprint for a hard-fought victory here and if they can put last week behind them they should have enough to edge this tough trip to Galway.