Eves: Bristol Rugby ready for Munster test
Monday, November 23, 2009, 08:33
Luke Eves says Bristol will head to Munster on Friday brimming with confidence after opening their British & Irish Cup campaign with victory at Neath.
A much-changed Bristol team, with an average age of 23, went to the Gnoll on Friday and won 18-11 against the side that lie third in the Principality Premiership.
Bristol head to Ireland on Friday to face Munster A in Nenagh – and centre Eves sees nothing to fear for Bristol’s youngsters.
“We’ll be confident going to Munster now,” said Eves.
“I’ve never played against Munster, so if I’m picked for that game it will be big for me. For our young lads, it will be a really good learning curve.
“I haven’t started too many games recently, but I’m just keen to play rugby – and I was happy to be a senior guy in the team on Friday.”
Eves, at 20, was one of the more experienced players in Bristol’s starting line-up at the Gnoll – and was impressed with the performances of the youngsters around him.
Teenagers Jack Tovey, George Watkins and Jack Gadd all took their chances – with winger Watkins making the break that led to Iain Grieve scoring Bristol’s first try.
“Before the game, we said to the lads, ‘back yourselves – and back your skills’,” said Eves.
“The boys were out there to have a go – and if it comes off, it comes off; if it doesn’t, it doesn’t. That one did come off on Friday – and it was probably one of the tries of the season.
“If you’re good enough, you’re old enough – and I think the coaches are keen to put that message across.”
Bristol gave recent signing Sam Giddens a debut from the bench on Friday – and the 25-year-old is expected to play a key role in the club’s push for promotion back to the Guinness Premiership.
“Sam’s been playing for Hawke’s Bay in New Zealand, which is a high standard of rugby,” said Eves.
“He’s obviously going to be a great signing for us and he showed some great touches when he came on.”
Luke Eves in the thick of it for Bristol Rugby against Exeter Chiefs
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