Bristol Bears Eye Play-Off Glory in “Quarter-Final” Showdown Against Harlequins
This weekend, it’s do-or-die for the Bristol Bears as they prepare to take on Harlequins at Ashton Gate in a game that’s more than just another round of rugby—it’s a battle with play-off implications, a match that Bristol’s director of rugby Pat Lam has aptly described as a “quarter-final.”
Now, let’s talk about the stakes. Bristol head into this clash sitting fourth in the Gallagher Premiership table, two points ahead of the chasing pack. A win here guarantees them a semi-final berth for the first time since 2020. It’s been a season of consistency for the Bears—17 rounds, and not once have they fallen out of the top four. But it all boils down to this one game. A slip-up now and all that work could unravel in a matter of 80 minutes.
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And while Harlequins come into this game out of play-off contention, Lam isn’t underestimating them. “The dangerous teams are those that have nothing to play for,” he warned. The Bears need to be sharp, hungry, and relentless.
Team-wise, Bristol may miss Rich Lane due to an ankle injury picked up earlier this month, but they’ve received a timely boost with the return of Noah Heward. It’s a welcome sight—Heward's been sidelined most of the season, but now he’s back and ready to fill in at full-back.
Kick-off is at 3:05 PM on Saturday, and it’s going to be live on TNT Sports and streamed via discovery+. For those not in the stadium, you can follow all the action with Bristol Live’s play-by-play updates or listen in on BBC Radio Bristol.
Pat Lam and his squad aren’t thinking about other games or permutations. The message is simple: win at home, secure the spot, and keep the dream alive. After four long years, the Bears are within touching distance of the final four again—and it’s up to them to seize it.
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