final thing, in general our pack is currently too light weight. Rubiolo and mata being out are our main big bodies and losing them has been very detrimental to oppositions ruck speed and gain-line carries. Looking forward to seeing khalik kareem carrying in heavy traffic next season!

Hey lads, firstly my bad on the name front. I'm Henry. Good game last night, showed the grunt that we missed since the six nations. Few things: Firstly, sad to see some leavers going, especially Rich. Has sadly been plagued by injuries but our best fullback when fit for a while. With Elizalde going, fullback is looking a little thin, but think carrington might be stepping up and Jordan moving into the back field more regularly. Second, looking very light with regards to locks for next season (dunnie and Steele leaving) and I think this has been a big issue this season. No coincidence that we lost a lot of games while Rubiolo is injured. Need a big signing (in terms of weight) in the second row (will rowlands out of contract with Racing idk) Finally with comparison to how bath turned things around quickly, I think we need to be more appreciative of the slow path. Bath have been paying up to the salary cap and have been delaying increases to salary in order to get in the large talent pool. In addition, bath have a larger catchment area with rugby being the primary sport, which heavily favours their academy. And their uni is better at rugby than Bristol so their academy players can stay in the city for uni very easily. Bristol have been slowly building up the academy and uni rugby and that will bear fruits soon. This is exemplified by the large academy signings, but they won't be in their prime for 5-7 years probably

Don't mean to be a shit bloke, but where's the chat about the academy bears again lads! Sorry for the nagging, just a topic close to my heart. UTB 🐻!

I always enjoy the podcast but this one was particularly joyful and a great listen. I celebrated Friday’s victory all over again. And enjoyed Miles being pushed home in the pram again.

Dear fellas, just wanted to join the chorus in saying what a fantastic job you boys continually do in producing this podcast. I'm a life long briz fan living in Oxford for the past 15 years - I get down to the gate as often as I can (away games tend to be more accessible for me) but its easy to feel a bit cut off from the general Bristol Rugby community. The pod is a wonderful way that exiles like me can get that Bristol Bears connection and without it, I really wouldn't feel as tuned in to the fan community (me being social media phobic. Lee, i'm very much with you on being alergic to technology). It also does what the very best radio and podcasts do which is make the listener feel like they're part of the conversation- something that other apparently 'professional' shows made up of ex pros and sports hacks just aren't able to pull off. So keep at it lads, I'll look out for you at the Leinster game and who knows, one of these days I might even attempt an acrostic. Stay safe, Adrian (Ade).

really enjoying your pod cast 👍