It was quite the weekend for our West Country sides as the Gallagher Premiership made an enthralling return, packed with giant killings, stunning debuts and enthralling comebacks.
Following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday night, Bristol Bears and Bath’s curtain raiser at Ashton Gate was bafflingly delayed by 22 hours, but the rugby certainly did not disappoint when it got underway as the hosts marginally defeated their derby rivals 31-29, with both teams looking vastly improved from their disappointing 2021/22 seasons.
Exeter Chiefs meanwhile hosted defending champions Leicester Tigers at Sandy Park, overcoming their visitors 24-20 with a score in the final play, with hopes this season will right the wrongs of the past 12 months..
