This is an Anglo-Welsh encounter savour as the Dragons head over the Severn Bridge with a side jam-packed with talent.
The most unloved of the Welsh regions are starting to finally make waves again and have announced on paper their strongest team for many years, quite probably since the likes of Percy Montgomery wore black and amber at the turn of the Millennium.
Jamie Roberts and Jonah Holmes made their debuts for the region in a power-packed midfield, while Wales internationals Aaron Wainwright and Ross Moriarty will stand toe-to-toe with their Bears back-row counterparts.
It’s in the tight five, though, where the Bears should have the edge. Harry Thacker is loving life under Pat Lam at hooker and Kyle Sinckler is now starting to bed in at tight-head.. At lock, Chris Vui is possibly one of the most under-rated players in the Premiership.
Steven Luatua, Ben Earl and Nathan Hughes will keep the Dragons busy in the tackling stakes with their big ball carries, while outside the pack Semi Radradra has almost ran as many metres as it takes to get to Wales and back.
Charles Piutau and Luke Morahan add to the star-studded roster at full-back and wing respectively and the Bears rightly start as favourites at Ashton Gate.
Lam has made no secret of the fact he’s after European silverware and it will take a monumental effort from the Dragons to win in England for the first time since 2016.
In the PRO14, the Dragons are used to spending long periods without the ball – the average possession time of the opposition is higher against them than any other team (over 19 minutes per match on average) – and that’s something Bristol will relish.
Whether they can cover an 18-point handicap against them is a moot point, but it’ll be fun watching them try.
