Rokoduguni, Cokanasiga tries help Bath defeat Bristol in Western Country Derby

Tom de Glanville’s try helped Bath beat Bristol for the first time in five matches. Photo: Getty Images

Gallagher Premiership
Bath (5) 29
Tries: Rokoduguni, Joseph, Faletau, Cokanasiga, De Glanville Cons: Cipriani 2
Bristol (24) 27
Tries: Thacker 2, Naulago Cons: Sheedy 3 Pens: Sheedy, Thacker

Tom de Glanville’s stoppage-time try helped Bath beat 14-man Bristol 29-27 in a thrilling West Country derby in the Gallagher Premiership on Sunday.

Sporting bodies ban Russian athletes amid Ukraine invasion

Carabao Cup Final – Chelsea v Liverpool – Wembley Stadium, London, Britain – February 27, 2022 General view of a big screen in support of Ukraine inside the stadium before the match. Photo: REUTERS/David Klein

FIFA and UEFA suspended Russia’s national teams and clubs from international football on Monday as sporting bodies around the world moved to bar Russian athletes from competing in international events in protest over the war in Ukraine.

Murimurivalu brace helps Tigers pip Connacht

Left winger Kini Murimurivalu scores one of his tries for Leicester Tigers. Photo: Independent

Connacht (14) 28

Tries: O’Halloran 2, Prendergast, Marmion Cons: Carty 4

Leicester Tigers (10) 29

Tries: Heyes, Murimurivalu 2, Clare, Saumaki Con: Burns 2

Score-line for Leicester Tigers v Connacht. Artwork: BBC

A last-gasp try from Hosea Saumaki saw Leicester Tigers come from 18 points behind to earn a dramatic 29-28 win over Connacht in the Champions Cup this morning.

Randall shines as Bristol beat Stade Francais

Bristol Bears centre Semi Radradra (right) tries to stop Stade Francais at the try-line. Photo: Planet Rugby

Harry Randall did his Six Nations hopes no harm after producing a scintillating display in Bristol Bears’ 28-17 Champions Cup victory over Stade Francais this morning.

Randall, who has only recently come back from injury, was superb, setting up the first try as the West Country outfit went into the break 14-7 ahead.

Boyd praises Matavesi’s ‘goal kicking’ ability

Flying Fijians hooker Sam Matavesi (right) lined up against Wales in the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Oita, Japan. Photo: World Rugby

Northampton Director of Rugby Chris Boyd has paid a fulsome tribute to the impact Sam Matavesi is making at Northampton and revealed an ability that is unknown to many.

Boyd claims the Fijian is the club’s “second best goal kicker” behind Dan Biggar and has a lot of skills he has developed over the years.

Matson ‘tips hat off’ to gritty Chiefs

Former Flying Fijians coach Tabai Matson. Photo: Planet Rugby

Former Flying Fijians coach and Harlequins head coach Tabai Matson had sympathy for Exeter after the 14-man Chiefs fell to a 14-12 defeat in a gripping Premiership fixture at The Stoop.

In a repeat of last season’s final, Exeter had things tough as they played the second period a man down after Alec Hepburn was sent off for a dangerous clearout.

Play Six Nations games in one country: Baxter

Top wingers in the Six Nations Louis Rees-Zammit and Jonny May played in empty stands last season. Photo: Wales Online

The coach of champion English Premiership club rugby Exeter Rob Baxter has called for the whole Six Nations to be played in one country considering the risks with Covid 19 protocols and the potential shortage of spectators.

The tournament is due to kick off in Dublin and Edinburgh on February 5, but currently finds itself shrouded in uncertainty.

Matson rues Quins missed chances against Tigers

Harlequins Huw Jones is tackled by Leicester Tigers Harry Potter during the Gallagher Premiership match at Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium, Leicester last Sunday.

Former Flying Fijians centre and Harlequins head coach Tabai Matson lamented his side’s inability to take their chances as they lost 16-14 to Gallagher Premiership leaders Leicester Tigers on Sunday.

Harry Potter’s converted try and three penalties from the boot of George Ford helped the Tigers to an amazing ninth successive win in the league this season.

Radradra recovers two months earlier for Bears

A young fan got an early Christmas present from Flying Fijians centre Semi Radradra after the match on Sunday. Photo: Chef Koj

Flying Fijians centre Semi Radradra who came in as a replacement in the second half for his English premiership club Bristol Bears against Gloucester on Sunday morning recovered two months earlier as anticipated.

Radradra who was part of Team Fiji 7s wining the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in July was to be sidelined “for an anticipated four months.”

Radradra’s return boosts Bristol Bears

Semi Radradra to return for Bristol tomorrow morning against Gloucester. Photo: Planet Rugby

Flying Fijians Semi Radradra returns to the 23-man squad as Bristol face Gloucester in the West Country derby in the English Premiership tomorrow morning (Fiji Time).

Radradra returns with Harry Randall as one of six changes to the XV that slipped to defeat against Northampton, as Bristol Bears head coach Pat Lam welcomes skipper Steven Luatua back into the side for the Kingsholm clash.