Cornish Pirates

Friday May 7th Kick Off 7.45pm

Bristol v London Welsh

Bristol are just three games from securing their return to the Premiership at the first attempt and will start as favourites in what promises to be an edgy encounter against London Welsh at the Memorial Ground.

Head Coach Paul Hull has named his squad ahead the match which sees hooker David Blaney is set to start for the home side after injury with Luke Eves showing the only other change to the starting XV.

Academy hooker Ollie Hayes is included in the replacements as are back-row forwards Dan Montagu and Iain Grieve.

Bristol Rugby XV
Luke Arscott; Lee Robinson, Luke Eves, Junior Fatialofa, Tom Arscott, Adrian Jarvis, Jason Spice (C); Darren Crompton, David Blaney, Wayne Thompson, Nathan Budgett, Roy Winters, Redford Pennycook, James Merriman, James Phillips

Replacements - Ollie Hayes, Mark Irish, Dan Montagu, Iain Grieve, Sam Alford, Mark Davies, Jack Adams

Hull also told the Evening Post how difficult it was to leave players out of the squad for tonight’s game.

He said: “To tell a player he has not made the squad or the starting XV for a game of this importance is difficult – it's probably the hardest part of my job.”

He continued: “But it has got to be done and we will always try to pick the team we think can do the job. It's a matter of trying to pick the right blend for this particular match – and we are happy with what we've gone with.”

"There are a few disappointed players who haven't made the squad or the starting XV and there have been some difficult conversations this week. Everyone wants to be involved in this game but you obviously can't pick everyone.”

Full story www.thisisbristol.co.uk/

London Welsh have kept faith with the team which won at Doncaster last weekend for the trip down the M4 to Bristol.

Team www.london-welsh.co.uk

However their plans to forge close links with the Ospreys and relocate their administrative and training bases to Wales next season appear to have fallen at the first hurdle.

After preliminary talks with the RFU directors of London Welsh have been reminded that next season`s central funding of £285,000 would be in jeopardy if they failed to meet the English Qualified Player (EQP) quota.

The quota is likely to be set at 14 players per squad and will be dependent on players residing in England. Although the Welsh would save a considerable sum by relocating to the Principality they would immediately fail to meet the EQP criteria.

No formal decisions have been made as yet by either the RFU or London Welsh and talks are set to continue.

High Tackle`s Prediction

Bristol appear to have shaken off the bout of jitters and spell of indifferent form which threatened to derail their promotion push. Last weekend they roared back to life against the Pirates and will take a huge amount of confidence from that game as they prepare for tonight.

Paul Hull`s squad showed at Camborne that they can vary their tactical approach at any given time and have both power up front and killer pace in the backs. With a healthy blend of youth and experience in their ranks they are a very well balanced side.

London Welsh have had a good season and if Gordon Ross is on his game at ten tonight he could cause the Bristolians some serious headaches. I`ve said before that Head Coach Danny Wilson has done superbly well to get so much from his playing squad with a sub-plot of financial turmoil to contend with, but this will be a game too far for his injury-hit pack.

I don`t expect a try-fest but if Bristol can start on the front-foot and keep their momentum and discipline I tip them to win by 12 points.

Saturday May 8th Kick Off 3pm

Exeter Chiefs v Bedford Blues

The Chiefs will be at full-strength as two teams with very contrasting styles of play lock horns at Sandy Park tomorrow.

After Chiefs' 53-10 demolition of Nottingham last weekend and a fully fit squad to choose from, head coach Rob Baxter did not feel any need for change.

He said: "We are aware of the threat Bedford will bring. They are a good cup knock-out side and always thrive on the big occasion. But we are at home with a fully fit squad and we are a good side. If we turn up with the right attitude, we will be fine."

There are two changes on the bench however with Chris Budgen back on duty after first being delayed in South Africa by the volcanic ash episode and then playing in the Army v Navy game last weekend. No 8 Richie Baxter has also been named on the bench

Baxter said: "Richie has been added to the squad along with Chris Budgen. We are selecting from a full squad of players. They are in very good physical condition and that is testament to the way we have managed the season for them and testament to our fitness and physio staff."

Like the players, Baxter is looking forward to welcoming Bedford Blues to Sandy Park and to make full use of the Chiefs' home advantage.

"Home advantage is massively important," Baxter added. You don't want to have the hassle of travelling. Also for us, it's great to be here with our crowd.

They have played a big part this season. We are in it together as a rugby club: the people who work on the ground, the girls in the office, the caterers and our supporters. Successful organisations thrive on working together."

Chiefs team: -
15 Phil Dollman
14 Matt Jess
13 Nic Sestaret
12 Bryan Rennie
11 Mark Foster
10 Gareth Steenson
9 Haydn Thomas
1 Brett Sturgess
2 Neil Clark
3 Hoani Tui
4 Tom Hayes (capt)
5 James Hanks
6 Chad Slade
7 James Scaysbrook
8 Tom Johnson

16 Simon Alcott
17 Chris Budgen
18 David Gannon
19 Richie Baxter
20 Clive Stuart-Smith
21 Danny Gray
22 Paul McKenzie

Bedford Blues are all geared up to make the journey to Exeter.

Sandy Park may not be the happiest of hunting grounds for the Blues in recent years, but buoyed by some excellent recent form, Bedford will go into this game in a positive frame of mind having completed a good play-off campaign.

The Blues have already been boosted by the news that eight of the first team squad have signed new deals with the Goldington Road outfit, but their matchday squad has been lifted by the return of Chris Goodman from injury.

There had been some concern over Myles Dorrian following an eye injury sustained in last weekends fixture, but the Australian was checked over and is fully fit to play.

Full Story & Team from RFU Blues all set for Devon challenge

High Tackle`s Prediction

This is a real heart versus head battle in terms of predicting a winner. Home advantage should be crucial for the Chiefs who rarely come up short at Sandy Park, whilst Bedford`s style of rugby could cause a major upset.

The Chiefs rely heavily on fly-half Gareth Steenson to direct their formidable pack around the field. They are strong at the set-piece, play attritional rugby, and if allowed to will squeeze the life out of Bedford before landing the killer blow.

The Blues play attractive open rugby always backing themselves to score more points than their opponents despite some perceived weaknesses at the set piece. Their front five will need to play the games of their lives if they are to win whilst the back row will need to shut down the Chiefs half-backs at every opportunity.

If Bedford can get their noses in front and keep the scoreboard ticking over throughout the match Exeter will have to do something they hate and change their style of play.

But the head wins on this one and I tip Exeter to win by four points.

*The views expressed by High Tackle are his own.