Bristol

Has anything unusual happened?

Brian Lima was given an authorised extended leave of absence to attend the wedding of what is reported to be his seventh sister! Did “The Chiropractor” ever get into the bathroom when he was growing up?



Is anything different at the club this season?

There is an additional stand in use for the 2006-07 season — the New West Stand.

Richard Hill for England?

Given what he has achieved over the years and especially at Bristol, is there a better, more experienced coach in England? Surely someone with his track record must be found a role. Rob Andrew, his old half-back partner, is now supremo at Twickenham and knows better than anybody how good Hill is, and how passionate about his country.

Where will they finish?

Eleventh.

TRANSFERS

IN: Luke Arscott (Plymouth Albion), Neil Brew (Otago), David Hill (Waikato), Sean Hohneck (Waikato), Craig Morgan (Cardiff Blues), Brian O’Riordan (Leinster), Walter Pozzebon (Treviso), Josh Taumalolo (Neath), Alfie To’oala (Plymouth Albion), Justin Wring (Otley).

OUT: Ross Blake (released), Manuel Contepomi (released), Mark Denney (retired), Ollie Hodge (Exeter Chiefs), Olly Kohn (Harlequins), Sean Marsden (Glasgow Warriors), Jon Pritchard (released), Jacob Rauluni (Leeds Tykes), Martin Rospide (released), Rory Teague (released).

FANS’ GUIDE

WHAT’S NEW AT THE MEMORIAL STADIUM?

There will be live music by way of a band up to 20 minutes before kick-off. A continuing competition will run every week at half-time, the winners from each match going into a grand final at the last home game to win a new car.

HOW ABOUT GETTING A TICKET?

There are a little more than 4,000 season ticket-holders, so this leaves around 6,000 to the general public, and 500 for visiting fans.

THINKING BIGGER

For the average premiership game, the Memorial Stadium — which is shared with Bristol Rovers FC — provides ample space, but two of the biggest attractions are being switched to Bristol City’s Ashton Gate, which has a capacity of 21,000. These are against bitter local rivals Bath on December 27 and against Leicester on April 15.

SQUAD

BACKS: L Arscott (nationality: Eng), N Brew (NZ), S Cox (Eng), V Going (NZ), D Gray (Eng), T Hayes (NZ), R Higgitt (Wales), D Hill (NZ), D Lemi (Sam), B Lima (Sam), C Morgan (Wales), G Nicholls (Eng), B O’Riordan (Ire), S Perry (Eng), W Pozzebon (It), A Reay (Eng), L Robinson (Eng), M Stanojevic (It), B Stortoni (Arg), J Strange (Wales), J Taumalolo (Ton).

FORWARDS: N Budgett (Wales), N Clark (Eng), A Clarke (Eng), D Crompton (Eng), J El Abd (Eng), D Hilton (Sco), J Hobson (Eng), S Hohneck (NZ), M Irish (Eng), G Lewis (Wales), G Llewellyn (Wales), R Martin-Redman (Eng), S Nelson (Wales), M Regan (Eng), M Salter (Eng), M Sambucetti (Arg), C Short (Eng), W Thompson (Eng), A To’oala (Sam), D Ward- Smith (Eng), R Winters (Eng), J Wring (Eng).

ONE TO WATCH

SHAUN PERRY

The scrum half will be looking to bounce back after the disappointment of missing England’s tour of Australia through injury

FIXTURES

September

2 Worcester (a)

10 Saracens (h)

16 London Irish (a)

24 London Wasps (h)

October

1 Bath (h)

7 Gloucester (a)

15 Harlequins (h)

21 Bucharest (a)

27 NG Dragons (h)

November

3 Newcastle Falcons (a)

10 Sale Sharks (h)

17 Bath (a)

24 Gloucester (h)

December

1 Ospreys (a)

8 (tbc) Bayonne (a)

15 Bayonne (h)

22 Leicester (a)

27 Bath (h, Ashton Gate)

January

1 Sale Sharks (a)

7 Northampton (h)

12/13/14 NG Dragons (a)

19/20/21 Bucharest (h)

27 Northampton (a)

February

18 Newcastle Falcons (h)

24 Harlequins (a)

March

4 London Wasps (a)

10 London Irish (h)

18 Saracens (a)

April

8 Worcester (h)

15 Leicester (h, Ashton Gate)

28 Gloucester (a)

KEY

Premiership

EDF Anglo-Welsh Cup

European Challenge Cup