The Bristol Bears are set to face the Exeter Chiefs at Ashton Gate with an expected crowd of around 25,000, marking Bristol's highest attendance since pre-COVID and against any club other than Bath. The previous record was 23,078 against Wasps in the 2029/20 season. Over 22k tickets have already been sold for the event. Player lineup changes include Evan Lloyd as hooker, Craig Hudd moving to the second row, and Joey Tomlinson covering the blindside. Lucas de la Rua is back, while Harri Wilde starts due to Beetham and Harrison James being on the bench. The 'Drane Train' will start with Adam Court resting, and Morgan Davies's return from injury is a significant boost. Edd Howley is back, with Chris Williams rested for Callaghan Smith, and Gareth Harvey starting. Leon Randall will play fullback, Corum Nott returns on the wing, and Ben Leung is back involved. James Soanes starts at center, Jack Kathrens on the wing, and new signing Chad Thomas is back on the bench. Delnevo returns after his U20s appearance, and Joe Gage is fit again, prompting changes in the pack with Andrew Waite rested. Meanwhile, other Premiership Rugby games are also expecting high attendances, with sellouts at Saints and Saracens, over 75,000 at Twickenham for the Quins Big Game, and a likely sellout at Tigers on Sunday, potentially setting a record for Premiership Rugby attendances. The Ospreys have announced a sellout for their New Year's Day Derby against Cardiff Rugby at Dunraven Brewery Field in Bridgend, where Owen Watkin will make his 100th appearance for the team. Cardiff is preparing with a 6-2 split on their bench with forwards, and Ellis Jenkins and Lopeti Timani are returning to start. The matches follow the momentum of Neath's win last week and the Quins putting up a good fight against Llandovery.
π¨ IT'S A SELLOUT! Get ready for a packed Dunraven Brewery Field on New Year's Day as we face @Cardiff_Rugby in a huge festive derby. Thanks to all the supporters who've bought tickets: we can't wait to see you in your best Ospreys shirt as we go #BackInBlack. #TogetherAsOne https://t.co/FBkUYJVgGo
π΄ Tadhg Beirne and Conor Murray return to Munster XV. #CONvMUN π― up for Owen Watkin and Aaron Wainwright. #OSPvCAR #DRAvSCA π All the New Year's Day #URC team news including #LEIvULS. π https://t.co/mSkEX3Rlwp
A 6-2 split as Cardiff load their bench with forwards for the New Yearβs Day clash with the Ospreys in Bridgend. Ellis Jenkins and Lopeti Timani return to start in a rejigged back row. https://t.co/YqLdkXaacj
π§πππ ππ‘π‘π’π¨π‘πππ ππ‘π§ π’ Hereβs how we line up for our New Year's Day Derby against @Cardiff_Rugby at the Dunraven Brewery Field in Bridgend π Owen Watkin will make his 100th Ospreys appearance π #TogetherAsOne | #BKTURC | #OSPvCAR https://t.co/B3Sgl4xntr
24k at Bristol Bears last night. Sell outs coming at Saints and Saracens today. 75k+ at Twickenham for Quins Big Game and 25k+ at a likelyTigers sellout on Sunday. Must be a record weekend for Prem Rugby attendances?
Delnevo back after his U20s appearance. Joe Gage back fit as well is a major boost. Lots of changes in the pack, Andrew Waite rested with Rowan Jenkins and Geraint James off the bench. https://t.co/5BepssRXkL
The positive news is that is Bristolβs highest attendance since pre-COVID. It is also their highest attendance against a club other than Bath. The Bears previously saw 23,078 watch them play Wasps in 2029/20. https://t.co/BPnYT4tOWO
Lovely sight seeing Ashton Gate at near full capacity. Should be a great game for the 25,000+ watching as well, two sides with a raft of superstars. #BRIvEXE
π» Around 25,000 expected at Ashton Gate tonight! Few grounds beat Bear country under the Friday night lights. Hopefully theyβll be back for more later in the season. Vakatawa vs Slade the big draw tonight!
A bumper crowd of more than 24,000 is expected at Ashton Gate for a festive Friday night encounter between Bristol Bears and Exeter Chiefs. Read more about the clash here: β€΅οΈ #BRIvEXE https://t.co/t0obGPgpGS
Scrum half James Soanes starts at centre. Jack Kathrens comes in on the wing as Ben Jones covers fullback. Good to see Ben Sier back fit. New signing Chad Thomas back on the bench after a week off. One spot waiting to be confirmed following injury issues. https://t.co/tl3F5bhCOw
Leon Randall goes to fullback and Corum Nott returns on the wing. Big boost to have Ben Leung back involved. Should be a cracker this after Neath's win last week and Quins putting up a good fight vs Llandovery. https://t.co/sklTlAnJNr
Evan Lloyd comes in at hooker, Craig Hudd moves to 2nd row and Joey Tomlinson covers the blindside as Lucas de la Rua returns. No Beetham and Harrison James on bench so Harri Wilde starts. https://t.co/qEwygw3hbW
Scrum halves swap places. The Drane Train π starts with Adam Court resting. Big boost to have Morgan Davies back fit. Dragons youngster Kobi Rees a big boost to have back in the squad as well. https://t.co/Gsxo6vc8qi
Big boost to have Edd Howley. Chris Williams rested for Callaghan Smith and still no Luke Price. Gareth Harvey straight back into the 23 to start. https://t.co/pdVN7FomD4
Ashton Gate for Bristol Bears vs Exeter Chiefs tonight. Over 22k tickets sold. Excited.