Greene King IPA Championship Play Off Final Preview – Worcester vs Bristol – Wednesday 20th May, Ashton Gate. KO 19:45. Referee: Wayne Barnes.
Its crunch time in the Greene King IPA Championship this week, Bristol Rugby take on Worcester Warriors in the much anticipated and much predicted Championship final. The final is over two legs with the first being held at Ashton Gate on Wednesday and Bristol will want to take full advantage in terms of being at home first. Their efforts will be greatly helped, as 11,000 tickets have been sold so far and the crowd will look to play a huge influence in this one. No doubt however, it will be much the same in the reverse fixture.
The home side come into the game unbeaten in three, having seen off Rotherham in the two semi-final legs without too many hiccups. Their other victory, was of course over Worcester in the final game of the regular season. Bristol will be relatively happy with their semi-final performance, as expected Rotherham were tough customers but the power of Bristol was too much in the end and they eventually came out victorious. There is much to be improved on, the main thing however is the start of the game. Andy Robinson will want his men to come out of the blocks quicker in this encounter and get a hold on the game, something they struggled with against Rotherham. There are no fresh injury concerns, Marco Mama picked up a knee injury in the second leg of the semi-final but is expected to be fit to start.
Worcester come into the game with two wins in the last three, as mentioned losing to Bristol in their last scheduled game of the Championship. London Scottish were extremely tough customers in the two semi-final legs and they put up more of a fight than people initially expected. It is a testament to them as they have been impressive all season and pushed Worcester all the way. Much like Bristol, the sheer power from the bench and the fitness levels of the teams was the difference in the end and Worcester capitalised. Worcester have a few injury concerns coming into the game. Firstly at scrum half Charlie Mulchrone and Jonny Arr are fitness doubts, therefore with JB Bruzulier starting, 17 year old academy product Jamie Shillcock will provide cover from the bench again. He became the youngest Championship player when he came on against London Scottish. Ben Howard is also a fitness doubt after picking up concussion, therefore Chris Pennell faces a fitness race otherwise Warriors will be without a fullback.
The stage is set and all the time for talking is almost over, only one team can go up. This first leg is set to be a cracker, Bristol come into the game as slight favourites due to the Warriors injury list. However, the players coming in are more than capable and will be desperate to get the win.
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