Catch the Bears this Boxing Day as they take on Leicester Tigers at Ashton Gate
Pat Lam's Bears side round off their festive fixture list at home to Steve Borthwick and will be desperate to round off the year on a positive note after a disappointing start to the Premiership season.
The last time the two sides met saw Bristol bears running out 26-23 winners at Ashton Gate in a match that saw a very dramatic climax. With the home side leading 26-16 in the final stages of the match, Lam's side conceaded a plethora of late penalties - allowing Leicester to come back within touching distance of a win. On top of this on field drama, at the final whistle playing and coaching staff from both clubs were invloved in a spat that concluded with physical clashes - with this in mind, this fixture could be a tasty one.
About Bristol Bears
Following a disappointing relegation to the Greene King Championship in the 2016/17 season, Bristol Rugby shone in the following campaign, securing their return to rugby's top division at the first time of asking.
Rebranded as the Bristol Bears and playing at a refurbished Ashton Gate Stadium, the side endured an up-and-down first season back in the top flight, finishing ninth before a fantastic 3rd place finish in the delayed 2019/20 season before succumbing to Wasps in the play offs semi final. The Bears pushed on impressively under the stewardship of head coach Pat Lam, however, winning their first-ever European Challenge Cup at the tail end of the 2019/20 season.
The club continued this impressive form last season, winning 17 out of 22 matches and achieved their highest ever finish by being top of the table at the end of the normal season. However, the Bears' season ended in disappointment as they lost to eventual champions Harlequins at Ashton Gate in the semi-finals. Despite a successful campaign, Pat Lam's side will be hoping to go a step further in the 2021/22 season.
Find a full fixture list and follow updates on the club's official website.