Bristol Rugby

Club Details

The Memorial Stadium

Filton Avenue

Horfield

Bristol

BS7 0BF

Stadium Capacity:12,000

Website:www.bristolrugby.co.uk

Founded: 1888

- 2007/8 Season Preview -

Last time around: Without doubt, the surprise package of the season! Bristol were again many people's tip for the drop but coach Richard Hill led a matured squad to a remarkable third place. The West Country side had veterans Mark Regan and Gareth Llewellyn bossing the close exchanges as The Memorial Stadium became something of a fortress.

This time? Doubts again come to mind when you study the age of Hill's pack. But why can't Bristol will prove the doubters wrong yet again? They have brought in an experienced head at centre in Kevin Maggs and with David Lemi and Luke Robinson scoring tries for fun, they should be safe for another season. The dizzy heights of the Heineken Cup also beckon with Bristol grouped with Cardiff Blues, Stade Francais and Harlequins. Can they shock Europe this year?

Coach: Former England scrum-half Richard Hill worked wonders last season. He is proving to be as canny an operation in the dug-out as he was on the field. His espousal of a 15-man game based on always keeping the ball alive wins plenty of admirers, and last season won plenty of games.

Captain: Flank Matt Salter will lead the team for a fourth season after last year's Premiership success. He is an inspirational work-horse of a leader and is at home both on the flank or at No.8. Salter has become a crowd favourite at the Memorial Stadium for his robust style of play.

One to watch: Bristol owe so much to the form of their forwards last season. And Roy Winters was the catalyst to so much of that form with hard graft, speed and line-out abilty ultimately earning him and England call.

Final 2007/8 league position prediction: 10th
skybet.com prediction (04/9): 20-1 to finish first

In: Peter Bracken (Wasps), Haydn Thomas (Gloucester), Graeme Beveridge (Glasgow Warriors), Kevin Maggs (Ulster), Ed Barnes (Plymouth), Anthony Elliott (Newcastle Falcons), Tom Arscott (Plymouth).

Out: Brian Lima (retired), Danny Gray (Exeter).

Colours: Blue and white

Tickets: #8 - 22

Travel connections: Bristol Temple Meads is a major station stop for rail lines from all corners of the UK. The M4 motorway from West to East meets the M5 motorway from South-West to North just outside. Bristol also has an airport with some cheap connections to the rest of the UK.