In this show we reflect on Bristol's narrow 18-17 win against Northampton Saints at Ashton Gate. It wasn't pretty but we just managed to get over the line for our second win of the season. We look ahead to our Champions Cup game against Clermont Auvergne next week, our first fixture in this competition for 12 years. Giving us a French insight is special guest, Veronique Landew, the host of the French Rugby Connections podcast in the UK. She tells us what to expect from Clermont and the players t...
Dec 06, 2020•57 min•Season 2Ep. 51
In this special 50th edition we talk to Pat Lam, Bristol's inspirational Director of Rugby. Pat talks about building a winning culture, the impact of the Autumn Nations Cup call ups and when we will see our international players back wearing a Bristol shirt again. We also give our thoughts on Bristol's 30-13 win over Worcester Warriors at Ashton Gate and we preview the next game at home to Northampton Saints. There's also our thoughts on Kyle Sinckler's recent comments about settling in at Brist...
Nov 29, 2020•1 hr 7 min•Season 2Ep. 50
The boys are back with a new season of Bears Beyond The Gate. In this episode we review the narrow defeat to Wasps in the opening league game. A wasted opportunity with Wasps snatching victory in the dying minutes, or a sterling effort with 17 players unavailable through international duty and injuries? We take a look ahead to the next game at home to Worcester. Will Pat keep faith with the 23 that went to the Ricoh Arena or could we see some fresh faces? There's discussion over the Government's...
Nov 22, 2020•44 min•Season 2Ep. 49
In the season finale we take a look back over the past 14 months at the games, the players and the stand out moments for Bristol Bears. Thanks to a delayed start due to the 2019 Rugby World Cup; the Saracens points deduction for salary cup breaches; and the COVID-19 pandemic this has been a season like no other. But with 24 wins from 36 competitive games and the European Challenge Cup in the Bears’ trophy cabinet it has been a season to remember for Bristol fans. As well as picking out key games...
Oct 25, 2020•1 hr 20 min•Season 1Ep. 48
Welcome to this week's podcast in this historic week for the Bears following our 32-19 victory over French giants Toulon. We review the game, the performances and what this European Challenge Cup win means to Bears fans around the world. As well as the game we talk about some of the pre-match news including the new black and pink kit for the big game and Steven Luatua's last-minute withdrawal from the starting 15. We also take a look at some of the comments on social media that made us smile and...
Oct 18, 2020•50 min•Season 1Ep. 47
In this week's show we take a look at the 47-24 playoff semi-final defeat away at Wasps. After the longest league season ever, was this a game too far for the brave Bears. Hear our thoughts on the match, player performances and one or two debatable referring decisions! We also look ahead to the European Challenge Cup Final against Toulon on Friday. How will the defeat at Wasps affect the team, who will Pat pick and what we need to do to beat the French team? There's also our take on the new home...
Oct 11, 2020•59 min•Season 1Ep. 46
In this show the boys comment on a remarkable week for Bristol Bears with a 40-3 home win on Wednesday against Leicester followed by a 36-7 win away at London Irish. Two victories, ten points and a top-four place guaranteed. But with Sale's game with Worcester controversially postponed to next Wednesday after 19 players and officials test positive for COVID-19 we speculate on who are semi-final opponents will be. To say we are annoyed with how 'Salegate' has been handled would be the understatem...
Oct 04, 2020•55 min•Season 1Ep. 45
In this week's show we talk about the dramatic European Challenge Cup semi-final against Bordeaux. Once again it was a slow start at Ashton Gate before Bristol came back from 0-13 down to lead 20-13 deep into the second half. But a late Bordeaux try took the game into extra time at 20-20. The Bears powered through the extra 20 minutes to win 37-20 and seal a first ever European final. What a nail biter! What a win! What a night! With two games in five days we review the upcoming games against Le...
Sep 27, 2020•55 min•Season 1Ep. 44
This week we reflect on Bristol Bears convincing 56-17 win against Dragons in the European Challenge Cup at Ashton Gate. Bristol were slow to start but when they got going the rugby was spellbinding at times. Listen to who we think stood out and what this win means for the club. We also look forward to the upcoming semi-final against Bordeaux Begles and wonder if Pat will keep faith with the 23-man squad that overcame the Dragons. We also discuss a possible Welsh call up for Callum Sheedy, the n...
Sep 20, 2020•52 min•Season 1Ep. 43
In this show we review the 47-10 mid-week home win against Northampton Saints. Some outstanding individual performances and possibly the best try ever scored at Ashton Gate by Bristol. We then move on to the away game against Wasps where a much changed Bristol team went down 59-35 having coughed up 26 points in an error-strewn first quarter. But five tries, a bonus point and an outstanding performance at fly half by Max Malins did provide a little comfort and something positive to take away from...
Sep 14, 2020•55 min•Season 1Ep. 42
In this week’s show we talk about breaking the Curse of Sixways with Bristol’s 36-13 win at Worcester. We preview the midweek game agsinst Northampton and wonder if it will be a second string XV that make the trip to Wasps five days after that. There’s also chat about the European cups format for next season, the new England kit and why does Callum Sheedy keep hitting the woodwork! Let us know what you think!...
Sep 07, 2020•50 min•Season 1Ep. 41
In this week's show we discuss the Bears' seven-game winning streak hitting the buffers with a home defeat against Exeter Chiefs followed by a big loss away at Sale. Did Pat get his squad selections right for the two games in five days? We preview the away game at Worcester and debate how the squad will be used with three league games and a cup quarter final squeezed into less than three weeks. Our 'Gets My Goat' section is back where we talk about the frustrations felt by hundreds of supporters...
Aug 31, 2020•59 min•Season 1Ep. 40
In this week's show we review the memorable 24-33 victory over Gloucester at Kingsholm. This is Bristol Bears first win their since 2006 and we once again retain the Rifles Cup. New signing Semi Radradra caught the eye with a stunning first half performance but who else did we think had a good game. We discuss Pat's team selection for the first midweek fixture against Exeter Chiefs on Tuesday and consider what this may mean for the squad to travel to Sale on Saturday. The boys give their score p...
Aug 24, 2020•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 39
After five long months, Tony, Lee, Miles and Pete have an actual game of rugby to discuss! And what a game. It wasn't pretty but Bristol Bears pull off a memorable 16-12 victory over reigning champions Saracens. We look at performances, tactics, what worked and what didn't. We then look ahead to Friday night's trip up the M5 to take on Gloucester at Kingsholm. We give our thoughts and also catch up with Cherry Jam - the new Gloucester rugby podcast to get an inside line on what to expect. This e...
Aug 17, 2020•1 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 38
In this week's show we (at long last) have a proper game of rugby to preview! We give our thoughts on the squad to take on Saracens at Ashton Gate on Saturday and reveal our score predictions. There's the arrival of scrum half Tom Kessell who joins for the rest of the season to cover for the injured Chris Cook We also discuss the timing and content of last week's announcement regarding refunds for season card and match ticket holders. There's our thoughts on BT Sport covering all the remaining g...
Aug 10, 2020•55 min•Season 1Ep. 37
In this week's show Tony, Lee and Pete discuss the first four games of the rescheduled season and give their predictions for the games against Saracens, Gloucester, Exeter and Sale. With no crowds expected in sporting grounds until October at the earliest the boys debate the need for some clarity from the club on refunds for season card holders and people who have bought match tickets. Pete is all at sea for this one talking about his Speedos fetish and a winking prawn. Keep listening and all wi...
Jul 22, 2020•40 min•Season 1Ep. 36
In this week's show we talk about the new coaching setup with the arrival of new scrum and defence coaches. There's also the resigning of Irish hooker, Bryan Byrne and Luke Hamilton finds a new club across the Channel. Monday 6 July saw the return to level 2 training and the magnificent new Failand training facility open and ready for business. We discuss how good it was to see the big-name recruits in Bristol kit at last, and wonder how much of an impact they may have in the second part of the ...
Jul 09, 2020•48 min•Season 1Ep. 35
The boys are back and discuss the salary cap arrangements for the next few seasons. A climbdown by Bristol or a clever compromise that will protect the Bears squad? When the season starts will we see all games played or a compromise fixture list like the PRO 14? With Bristol city's new Hummel training kit all over social media we ask when will we see something from Umbro for Bristol Bears. There's something magical happening at Welford Road but will it spread across the Premiership! Let us know ...
Jun 25, 2020•45 min•Season 1Ep. 34
In this week's episode the boys talk about the retained list for next year with 19 senior players departing. Do we have the depth of squad to compete next season? We also talk about the target to resume the Premiership on 15 August and what the knock on effect will be for the 2020/21 season. There's also news of a victory over Bath, an upcoming Bears quiz and Nathan Hughes' new fashion range. Bears Beyond The Gate is a Bristol Bears rugby podcast made by fans for fans. Let us know what you think...
Jun 07, 2020•42 min•Season 1Ep. 33
In this episode we talk about the arrival Siva Naulago who joins from rugby league club Hull FC. Is he a bit of a gamble or shrewd move from Pat Lam? We also talk about three academy players stepping up to senior contracts and the new intake of players to the Integrated Academy and the new Academy Scholars programme. We also discuss Steve Lansdown's letter in support of the salary cap and marquee players, and calls for ringfencing to be implemented as soon as possible. Bears Beyond The Gate is a...
May 25, 2020•44 min•Season 1Ep. 32
In this episode the boys talk about the arrival of Chris Cook from Bath and wonder where he will fit in the scrum-half pecking order and discuss the departure of Joe Batley to Worcester Warriors. There's also news of Aly Muldowney's next move in the world of rugby. With the Umbro announcement made last week we ponder on the term 'Technical Kit Partner' and wonder why this phrase was used. We also talk about our hopes for the new partnership with Umbro, including a ladies range and of course the ...
May 17, 2020•46 min•Season 1Ep. 31
The boys discuss Shaun Malton's departure at the end of the season and wonder if three hookers is enough for 2020/21. We also talk about the fly-half situation with Nathan Chamberlain on his way north of the border next season. There's also the news that Mark Irish (scrum coach) follows Jonathan Thomas on taking a new coaching role with Worcester Warriors next season. We ask will we see new faces at the Gate or will Pat promote from within to the coaching team? As this episode was recorded just ...
May 10, 2020•41 min•Season 1Ep. 30
In the episode the boys talk about the departures of two of the current squad at the end of the season - scrum half Nic Stirzaker and tight-head prop Lewis Thiede. Will they be replaced or in the current climate will we make do with what we've got? With Will Hurrell's retirement from rugby confirmed, we reminisce on the four season that Will has served for the Bears and wish him all the best for the future. Also in the pod we talk about the recent Premiership statement that the league has now be...
Apr 13, 2020•39 min•Season 1Ep. 29
In this week's show we discuss Jake Armstrong's contract extension and the strength in depth we have at tight head. We touch on the rumour that Bath scrum half Chris Cook has been linked with Bristol Bears and the news that players and staff are taking a 25 per cent pay cut. We also pick out the opposition players that have impressed us in games against Bristol this season. Do you agree with our selections from Bath, London Irish, Worcester Warriors and Harlequins? This edition was recorded by p...
Mar 22, 2020•37 min•Season 1Ep. 28
In this week’s show the boys discuss the suspension of the season due to Coronavirus. What does it mean for Bristol, the wider game and the future of the professional game? There’s also Ian Madigan’s departure to Ulster at the end of the season and Nathan Chamberlin’s sensational performance for Scotland against Wales in the recent U20s fixture. Bears Beyond The Gate is a Bristol Bears rugby podcast made by fans for fans. Let us know what you think!...
Mar 17, 2020•40 min•Season 1Ep. 27
This week the boys are joined by former Bristol scrum half, Mark Newall, to talk about the Bear’s 28-15 win to establish a club record five-game winning streak in the Premiership. We review the game, the performances and the talking points. There are also our thoughts on the loan deals for Saracen’s duo Ben Earl and Max Malins; Joe Marler’s antics in England’s win against Wales; and a round up of your comments on social media. In the second half of the show we talk to Mark about his playing days...
Mar 08, 2020•54 min•Season 1Ep. 26
The boys talk about doing the double over arch rivals Bath. Bristol win 13-19 at the Rec for our first league victory since 2006. Are we happy? Not half! We also look ahead to the Harlequins game and round up rugby news from BS3 and beyond. Bears Beyond The Gate is a Bristol Bears rugby podcast made by fans for fans. Let us know what you think!
Mar 01, 2020•42 min•Season 1Ep. 25
The boys discuss the hard-fought 13-10 win against Worcester Warriors at Ashton Gate that sees Bristol climb up to third in the league. We look ahead to next week's game against arch-rivals Bath at the Rec' and round up the comings and goings on the player front. We also talk about the shocking news that Bristol centre, Will Hurrell, suffered a stroke during the away game at Leicester. We send our best wishes to Will and hope he makes a full recovery. We finish with our 'Gets My Goat' feature an...
Feb 23, 2020•48 min•Season 1Ep. 24
We discuss the dramatic turnaround in fortunes for Bristol Bears to run out 20-14 winners away at Northampton Saints. From an error-strewn first 60 minutes to a clinical final 20. We look ahead to the game against Worcester and wonder if Pat will change a winning team. In our round-up we give our thoughts on the future of the Championship, development plans at Ashton Gate and the arrival of Umbro to make next year’s kit. We also cover the rumoured arrival of an England international on loan. Bea...
Feb 16, 2020•50 min•Season 1Ep. 23
In this week's show it's Six Nations sausages from Knowle West's finest Ellis Genge. We talk about the Scotland v England game and some of the incidents on and off the pitch. We look ahead to next weekend's league game against Northampton and pick our Bear's 15 to take on the high-flying Saints. We also read out a listeners email that prompts a debate about the atmosphere down at the Gate. What are we missing? All will be revealed. We close the show with some new transfer rumours involving the B...
Feb 09, 2020•48 min•Season 1Ep. 22
