Bath respect the Bears but are focused on their own performance, says Redpath

CRUNCH TIME IN CARDIFF

- John EVELY

BRISTOL Bears are not Bath Rugby’s bogey side, but they are a ‘very good’ side that have well and truly earned their respect, says centre Cam Redpath.

The Bears certainly have the bragging rights in the derby in recent years, with Bath having won just twice in the last 13 meetings in the Premiership since Bristol returned to the top flight in 2018 and have managed to stay there.

Now, the derby is being taken to the Principality Stadium for the Big Day Out to further pump up the volume on the massive occasion.

The noisy neighbours have become rather loud and the sound of their victory song Blackbird being sung on the Recreation Ground pitch will be etched into the memory of Bath’s players and fans. However, with the Blue, Black and White sitting top of the table in the league and with the Premiership Rugby Cup already in their trophy cabinet and another final to come in the EPCR Challenge Cup, you would imagine the Bears would happily swap places with Bath this season.

For director of ruby Pat Lam's side, this latest edition of the derby comes with significant consequences and jeopardy, with the Bears sitting fourth in the standings and in need of a victory to stay in the fight for the play-offs with just three rounds of the regular season remaining.

Redpath returned from a hamstring injury to come off the bench in October's 26-36 defeat to the Bears at the Rec, in one of just two defeats Bath have suffered in the Premiership this season, but he believes the club has come a long way since those early days of the campaign.