It was a day of mixed emotions at Ashton Gate on Saturday as a big crowd arrived on Coronation Day. Clearing skies, live music and a buzz of anticipation around the ground, with a good contingent of Gloucester supporters bedecked in their cherry and white adding to the occasion.
But much of the talk before kick-off was not about this fixture, but the game down the A4 in Bath that would ultimately impact our chances of Champions Cup rugby next season. I like many didn’t expect Saracens to bring their full starting XV but was rather surprised at the second string team they put out at the Rec. We all knew that this meant Bristol would need to win, and win big.
Things looked promising at half-time with the Bears deservedly ahead and Bath trailing - that Champions Cup qualification looked tantalising close. But, in what seemed a microcosm of our season, the tides turned in the second half and ultimately we were pipped at the post for eighth place and top-flight European rugby next season.
