Premiership Rugby is back!

Premiership rugby is back, and not a moment too soon!

For rugby fans, the summer may have felt too long, with the international tours being the only rugby enjoyed.

But for Bristol Bears (formerly Bristol Rugby) fans, Friday night's Premiership opener is nearly two years in the making following their relegation a couple of years ago.

But now under Pat Lam, Bristol Bears promotion back to England's top division felt different. No longer hoping for victory, but maybe more expectant. Last year felt like an extended pre-season for the Bears, preparing for life in the Premiership, rather than simply focused on getting back to the top. 

Bristol have invested heavily in the team, but not purely with top, international talent, something that Bath is blessed with. Pat Lam believes much more in having players he can coach the way he wants them to play, rather than have to work with what they already are. You can't help but be amazed by his morals and ethics - which he spoke about on BBC's Rugby Union Weekly podcast (if you want to listen to it further) - and helps distill more optimism and faith in the Bears season.

But despite all this, Bath were still comfortable favourites going into Friday's week 1 opener at an almost sold out Ashton Gate. It was time for the newly named Bristol Bears to set the records straight and turn the Gallagher Premiership upside down after one week.

I'm not going to do a full break down of the game as if you have any interest in rugby, or live anywhere in the West Country, you're probably familiar with the result - but here is a match report if you want it from Sky Sports. 

Both teams will have reasons to believe they should have won the game. Bath missed some big chances - Preistland couldn't convert two relatively simple penalties and who can forget Tom Homer's fumble whilst already over the try line - but Bristol controlled the game and ultimately deserved to win the game. 

They won't be let off so easily against opposition such as Saracens, whom they face in their second match of the Premiership season. But already, Bristol have set a marker. It took them until December to win their first match the last time they graced the top flight, so to claim it on the last day of August is a huge step in the right direction. The season is already set to be a more successful one.


How do you think Bristol will get on in their first season back? Can they surprise more than just Bath this year? Share and comment.

You can read my other blogs at ScriptEye and I Can't Write Words here.