Bristol Bears vs Crusaders at Ashton Gate on Friday night 10th Feb 2024 at 7.30 p.m. KO, live on Bears TV, the Bristol Bears will play a historic exhibition match against the Crusaders, the 12-time Super Rugby winners, at Ashton Gate.
Pat Lam picks an enlarged 26-man matchday squad for the thrilling match against the New Zealand-based Super Rugby team, with 20-year-old Academy players Sam Worsley and Paddy Pearce among the replacements. Siva Naulago makes his first start of the season.
At Ashton Gate, Willi Heinz will lead the Crusaders. Alongside George Bell in the front row are Kershawl Sykes-Martin and Seb Calder. Quinten Strange, the deputy captain, Jamie Hannah, Dominic Gardiner, Corey Kellow, and Christian Lio-Willie complete the forward group.
Bristol Bears vs Crusaders Live Stream
| Game | Crusaders vs Bristol Bears |
| Venue | Ashon Gate Stadium |
| Date & time | 10th February 2024 |
| Television | SKY NZ & Foxtel Now |
| Live Broadcast | Check here for stream live |
Ten more players, including Ioane Moananu, George Bower, Noah Hotham, and Taka Kemara, are expected to contribute off the bench. Plenty much depth. Thus, we put ourselves back in the position of the enemy, the outsider, and the person who has to be overcome. In Bristol, it’s time to play. Are you prepared?
When is the game?
Bristol Bears vs Crusaders is being played on Friday, February 9 at Ashton Gate.
What time is kick-off?
The kick-off is at the slightly earlier time of 7.30pm.
Bristol Bears vs Crusaders Rugby Preview
When the Bristol Bears play the 12-time Super Rugby champion Crusaders at Ashton Gate on Friday night (7.30pm KO), Siva Naulago makes his first start of the campaign.
Because the Crusaders will be playing at the same stadium where the All Blacks overcame Tonga in the 1999 Rugby World Cup, they will make more news than the Bears. Additionally, Bristol’s Ashton Gate Stadium will serve as the host site for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup.
The only alteration to the back line from that convincing derby triumph is the powerful wing, who made his first appearance of the season off the bench against Bath last time out.
For the thrilling contest against the Super Rugby team headquartered in New Zealand, Pat Lam selects an expanded 26-man matchday roster. Sam Worsley and Paddy Pearce, two 20-year-old Academy players, are included in the substitutes.
Steven Luatua is picked in the second row opposite Joe Batley, and Sam Grahamslaw begins at loosehead alongside Fred Davies and Kyle Sinckler in the front row. Joe Owen, a 22-year-old, has joined captain Fitz Harding and number eight Magnus Bradbury in the back row on the blindside flank.