Owner Steve Lansdown, below, whose funding had enabled the Bears to attract sought-after players like Charles Piutau, Semi Radradra and Steven Luatua, made his frustration known, not just at the results but the performances which he felt were a world away from the running game that was at the heart of the club's playing philosophy.
His intervention proved transformative. Bristol, who had worked on their kicking game in the close season, won nine of their final 11 league games to mount an assault on the top four that had seemed unlikely at the turn of the year, missing out after Sale's victory at Saracens in the final round.
Bristol were at Harlequins that day, the club that had knocked the Bears off course three years before when, having topped the table in the regular season, they faced the Londoners in the play-off semi-final at Ashton Gate and were on their way to Twickenham when they took a 28-0 lead in the opening half.
Quins took the tie into extra-time and sealed victory with Joe Marchant's try in the biggest comeback in the history of the Premiership. They went on to win the title while Bristol were left nursing a hangover that took a long, long time to shake off.
The resurrection started with a 51-26 home victory over rivals Gloucester at the beginning of December and they started the new year with victory at Sale and defeated Bath 57-44 to go into the break for the Six Nations very much on the up.
The two-month break cost them nothing in terms of momentum.
They put 52 points on leaders Northampton on the resumption, and hit Newcastle for 85 either side of victories on the road at Gloucester and Leicester.
Their penultimate game was at home to Saracens who drew on all their experience to win by 21 points but going to Quins for the final game, the Bears were still in reach of the top four.
This story is from the July 28, 2024 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 28, 2024 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Ring fence has made English rugby go soft
THE most positive aspect to come out of the opening round of the European Cup was that, despite six out of the eight English clubs losing, it can get better and relatively quickly.
The global travellers who light up game
THERE is nothing especially funny about short-term memory loss, but it may just have an upside when it comes to rugby.
Battling Bath looking to revive cup campaign
JOHANN van Graan is braced to take on the Italian national team in all but name as Bath look to revive their Champions Cup campaign.
Off-target Gloucester get lesson in finishing
KIWI Michael Ruru scored two early tries and put in a silky display as Vannes created a famous night in their history, securing a first ever Challenge Cup win over a misfiring Gloucester.
We're happy to be the hunted, says Beckett
SARAH Beckett admits Gloucester-Hartpury have made an underwhelming start to their title defence but believes that's partly due to competition across the PWR being at an alltime high.
Heard takes charge to keep out Sarries
GLOUCESTER-HARTPURY secured a pulsating victory over Saracens to leapfrog the Londoners in the PWR table.
Hellfire Corner gives a warm welcome to all
RUGBY was undergoing a massive boom 150 years ago so we shouldn’t be surprised so many teams are celebrating their sesquicentennial anniversary as those who glory in long words like to call it.
My fierce Tigers are roaring-Howison
A RUTHLESS second-half display saw Sheffield Tigers come from behind to score 29 unanswered points and seal a vital bonus point win against bottom of the table Billingham.
Brave Lupus banking on Mo'unga class
THE fourth season of Japan Rugby League One kicks off this week, with the tournament opening with the clash between Mie Honda Heat and Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo on December 21.
Oyonnax must live without El-Abd
OYONNAX’S seven-try 53-10 bonus-point win over ProD2 rivals Soyaux-Angouleme on Friday – their first victory since October 25 – was a relief in more ways than one. In fact, relief probably doesn’t cover it.