Bristol Bears will be looking to break new ground on Saturday when they host Harlequins in the Gallagher Premiership semi-final at Ashton Gate.
Pat Lam's side have already made history this season by finishing top of the regular-season table for the first time, and now a maiden Premiership final appearance could be just 80 minutes away.
Match preview
© Reuters
History beckons for the Bears after they earned the honour of a home semi-final for the first time, and their performances throughout the regular season will have made them confident that this could be the year when they finally make it to the top of the mountain.
Bristol have reached this stage just twice before, and on both occasions they ended up on the losing side - away to Leicester Tigers in 2007 and then away to Wasps last year.
However, they were the best team over the 22 regular-season games, although they were unable to greet their top-of-the-table finish with the celebrations it deserved as their final-day clash with London Irish was cancelled due to a COVID-19 outbreak among their opponents.
Lam will hope that there are plenty more celebrations to come, and the matchday 22 cancellation could prove to be a blessing in disguise with the Bears coming into this match well rested.
Bristol still earned four points from that London Irish clash - enough to see them finish three points clear of defending champions Exeter Chiefs and 14 above their opponents on Saturday.
The Bears were also victorious in both regular-season meetings between these two sides, winning 27-19 at the Stoop in December before a thrilling 35-33 triumph when they met at Ashton Gate in March.
Indeed, Bristol have only lost once at Ashton Gate since early February, with that defeat coming at the hands of champions Exeter in April.
Bristol did lose two of the final five games they actually played at the end of the regular season, though, and they will no doubt be wary of the way Harlequins finished the season.
© Reuters
Paul Gustard's men have won five of their last seven outings, including a thumping eight-try victory over Newcastle Falcons on the final day.
The 54 points they scored at the Stoop saw them end the campaign as the leading scorers - some 79 points clear of the next highest - so Bristol's defence - the second-best in the division - can expect a stern test on Saturday.
What let Harlequins down was their defence, with only three teams shipping more points throughout the regular season, and that must improve if they are to be crowned Premiership champions for only the second time.
The 2011-12 champions have not made it into the semi-finals for seven years and have only won one of their previous four games at this stage - at home to Northampton Saints in 2012.
Quins will be looking to win an away semi-final for the very first time, then, but their recent form on the road does not bode well in that respect, with just one away victory under their belts since early February - and that was against capital rivals London Irish.
The winners on Saturday will face either Exeter or Sale Sharks in the Premiership final at Twickenham on June 26.
- W
- L
- W
- W
- L
- W
- W
- W
- L
- W
- L
- W
Team News
© Reuters
Bristol are fortunate enough to have almost a fully-fit squad heading into Saturday's match, with the cancellation of their final regular-season game contributing to them having their cleanest bill of health of the season.
Lions-bound Kyle Sinckler should return to the fold after a minor hamstring injury, while Charles Piutau has overcome an Achilles issue.
The hosts will be without hooker Bryan Byrne and winger Siva Naulago, though, with both players ruled out for the remainder of the season due to knee problems.
Harlequins are not quite so fortunate, with a long list of players unavailable for this match or with fitness doubts hanging over their heads.
Club captain Stephan Lewies missed the final game of the regular season due to injury, joining George Head, Jordan Els, Matas Jurevicius, Nathan Earle, Oscar Beard, Paul Lasike and Will Evans on the treatment table.
Andre Esterhuizen and Mike Brown are also suspended, although the former could be available for selection should Harlequins make it through to the final.
Head To Head
The Bears have had the better of this fixture in recent times, winning each of the last three meetings since Quins ran out 22-19 winners in October 2019.
Quins have only ever won once at Ashton Gate, though, with that coming in February 2017 in a dominant 42-8 triumph.
These two sides have met once in a semi-final before, with Bristol coming out on top courtesy of a 21-18 triumph in the old John Player Cup in 1984.
We say: Bristol to win
Harlequins have the attacking brilliance to beat anyone on their day - even the best the regular season had to offer in Bristol - but the hosts have a lot more in their favour heading into this one.
While Quins are missing some key players, Bristol are almost at full strength, and with home advantage behind them too, we expect Lam's side to reach the Premiership final for the first time.
No Data Analysis info
