Talking point: Did Bristol Rugby’s youngsters take their opportunity to impress?

“I have to admit that my interest lies in soccer rather than rugby and this was my first visit to the Mem. since Bristol V Leicester Tigers in the late 1940's.
First can I say how much the ground has improved since then, and also the presentation. The players now enter the field through a tunnel, just as in football.
I shall never forget the sight (not to mention the shock), back in the '40's of the players elbowing their way down through the crowd (amateur or what)!
As to yesterday's game, it was a disappointment.
Forget the sick joke that half the Bristol side are long term injured hardly before a ball has been kicked, the team yesterday resembled a rag-bag pub side.
Newcastle, for all their early season rough edges, at least looked the part. Athletic, immaculately turned out, and professional in every way. They were Fererro Rocher to Bristol's licorice allsorts.
And full marks to the crowd. Compared to my game it was like having tea (or in yesterday's case, beer) with the gentry.
But will I be making a habit of it?
Not to watch this Bristol team, and certainly not at £32 a throw!”

“The better team definitely won today, but the 17 point margin probably flattered the Falcons. However, Bristol contributed to their own downfall. As so often in the past soft penalties and lapses in concentration in defence led to Falcons' scores, coupled with a failure to be precise near their opponents' try line meant that the winning margin should have been much smaller.

That being said, there were many positives to take from the match and both sides will improve, and I expect these two teams to contest the final at the end of the season and there was nothing from Newcastle to suggest that they are unbeatable.”

“What's the matter with our local sports teams?

Last season it was Bristol City who had a long string of injuries. This summer Somerset CCC have had and still have an unbelievably long injury list and now Bristol RFC.

Bristol could find themselves trying to to play a huge game of catch-up by the time their full squad is ready, if Middleton's comments are a guide. Could be too late by then for a realistic stab at the necessary top four.

That would be a supreme irony given that twice in the last three years Brisotl have topped the table at the end of the regular season when eight teams made the play-offs. Now it's four and the injury situation at the start of the season may mean Bristol struggle to qualify.

I was hoping that Steve Lansdown would have ensured a squad capable of winning the league and the play-offs. Getting Bristol into the Premiership would take but a tiny fraction of the amount of money needed to get Bristol City into the Premier League.”

“I like the look of Edwards, he is quick and strong and should definitely cause some of the weaker Championship clubs big headaches. Think Gadd deserves a chance as he has been very patient but also think he needs to step it up more if he is to play regularly for the first team.”