Bristol Bears head to Harlequins on Friday night with the opportunity to go top of the Gallagher Premiership overnight as the league returns after a four weekend hiatus during the Premiership Rugby Cup.
The Bears head into the game sitting third in the table and just one point off leaders Bath after winning four of their six league games so far, but director of rugby Pat Lam can’t help but wonder what could have been. He said: “This first block we’ve had, I’m happy but not satisfied because we believe we should be undefeated and that we have only ourselves to blame, letting two games go. It also drives us to be even better. We look at what’s coming up – a massive game against Quins and then the Champions Cup.
“We set ourselves in the starting place, if you think of Formula 1 with the top three and pole position, to build on. We don’t want to miss this opportunity because this block up games up to Christmas will go so fast.
“When you look at Quins they are interesting because they have changed a lot this season, their defence is probably one of the best in the league, which you wouldn’t normally say about Quins, and their set piece has improved massively – particularly their lineout – and they kick a lot. I see Danny Wilson’s [Harlequins head coach] imprint all over them and they are doing well.
READ MORE: Harlequins v Bristol Bears LIVE: Play-by-play updates from the Gallagher Premiership
Here are all the ways you can follow all the action…
When is the game?
Harlequins v Bristol Bears is being played on Friday, November 29 at The Twickenham Stoop.
What time is kick-off?
The kick-off time is at 7.45pm.
Is the game on TV or being streamed?
Yes. The match has been selected to be shown live by broadcasters TNT Sports and online on the discovery+ app.
The game will be shown live on TNT Sports 1 with coverage starting at 7pm.
Highlights will also be available on the Premiership Rugby website shortly after the game.
How else can I follow the game?
If you are not going to be inside the stadium, and even if you are, BristolLivewill be live blogging the match bringing you all the build-up, team news, live play-by-play match updates, reaction, stats, analysis, interviews and highlights from inside the ground.
Will there be live radio commentary of the match?
BBC Radio Bristolwill also be providing live commentary of the game.
What’s the team news?
Harlequins: 15. Tyrone Green (79), 14. Rodrigo Isgro (2), 13. Oscar Beard (61), 12. Luke Northmore (71), 11. Cadan Murley (117), 10. Jarrod Evans (22), 9. Will Porter (28); 1. Joe Marler (285), 2. Jack Walker (70), 3. Simon Kerrod (109), 4. Irne Herbst (54), 5. Dino Lamb (98), 6. Jack Kenningham (56), 7. Will Evans (96), 8. Alex Dombrandt (C) (141)
Replacements: 16. Nathan Jibulu (21), 17. Fin Baxter (56), 18. Titi Lamostiele (6), 19. Joe Launchbury (27), 20. James Chisholm (155), 21. Danny Care (381), 22. Jamie Benson (11), 23. Nick David (56)
Bristol Bears: 15. Rich Lane (42 apps), 14. Jack Bates (42 apps), 13. Kalaveti Ravouvou (12 apps), 12. Benhard Janse van Rensburg (31 apps), 11. Gabriel Ibitoye (48 apps), 10. AJ MacGinty (43 apps), 9. Kieran Marmion (32 apps); 1. Jake Woolmore (157 apps), 2. Gabriel Oghre (24 apps), 3. Max Lahiff (94 apps), 4. James Dun (40 apps), 5. Joe Owen (19 apps), 6. Santiago Grondona (3 apps), 7. Fitz Harding (c) (79 apps), 8. Viliame Mata (debut).
Replacements: 16. Harry Thacker (119 apps), 17. Yann Thomas (117 apps), 18. Lovejoy Chawatama (3 apps), 19. Steven Luatua (135 apps), 20. Benjamin Grondona (10 apps), 21. Oscar Lennon (11 apps), 22. Joe Jenkins (18 apps), 23. Benjamin Elizalde (5 apps).
Who are the officials?
Referee: Luke Pearce
Assistant Referees: Joe James and Jamie Leahy
TMO: Stuart Terheege