Bok-less Bulls wary of Bears’ bite

Bulls director of rugby Jake White is refusing to focus on Bristol Bears’ patchy English Premiership form as he prepares to take his United Rugby Championship squad to Ashton Gate in Round 3 of the Champions Cup on Saturday. 

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Although Pat Lam’s side are eighth, White prefers to concentrate on their impressive performance in winning at high-flying Sale Sharks last weekend, especially as both clubs are locked on five points in Pool 1. 

“I don’t think they are an eight on the log team,” he told Rugby365. “I think they started badly and they now have to catch up. And that log is so close; it changes every week. Maybe that was the motivation they needed to beat the Sale Sharks. 

“Winning one and losing one puts us in the middle of the pool. This will determine whether we go through or not. 

“Yes, I know Bordeaux still have to come play us, but once this game is over, you will know where you will finish in the pool and if you are in or out of the playoffs,” the Bulls big boss added.  

BULLS BOSS ON SPRINGBOKS’ ABSENCE

White’s Bulls will be without World Cup-winning South Africa stars Willie le Roux, Canan Moodie, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Marco van Staden, as he decided to give them their obligatory rest period now. 

He explained: “If I am going to do it, this is probably the best time post-Christmas [to rest the Bulls’ Springbok players]. There’s an extra week’s holiday in the Cape with their families. There is nothing untoward. No-one is less important or one tournament is more important.” 

Bristol Bears director of rugby Pat Lam, meanwhile, regards Saturday’s encounter against the Bulls as the first of two “big games” at Ashton Gate, with the next being the local derby against Bath Rugby. 

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