Louis Rees-Zammit made a try-scoring return to the Gallagher Prem as Bristol overcame a triple damage setback to beat Leicester 42-24 at Ashton Gate.
The Wales wing impressed on his first Prem look since December 2023 after leaving rugby union to pursue an American Soccer profession.
Coaching squad stints adopted with Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars, however he didn’t make a daily season look and was snapped up by Bristol as their star summer time signing.
Although he had restricted possibilities in assault, a 60-metre breakaway rating within the remaining minute showcased his high quality as Bristol prevailed regardless of fly-half AJ MacGinty struggling an Achilles damage, whereas hamstring points compelled off scrum-half Harry Randall and wing Gabriel Ibitoye.
Rees-Zammit, Ibitoye, flanker Fitz Harding, hooker Gabriel Oghre and substitute Josh Carrington scored Bristol’s tries in a bonus-point success, whereas Tom Jordan added 4 conversions and two penalties, with MacGinty additionally touchdown a penalty.
Wing Adam Radwan touched down twice for Leicester in Geoff Parling’s first Prem sport as head coach, with half-backs Jack van Poortvliet and Orlando Bailey additionally scoring and Bailey booting two conversions, however Tigers needed to be content material with a dropping bonus-point.
Rees-Zammit had his first contact contained in the opening minute, and preliminary Bristol dominance was rewarded when MacGinty kicked a short-range penalty, however Leicester responded instantly as Van Poortvliet rounded off a flowing counter-attack and Bailey transformed.
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Sam Warburton discusses the return of Louis Rees-Zammit and hopes for his return to the Welsh aspect.
Bristol then suffered a serious blow when MacGinty was compelled out of the motion after simply 13 minutes. Carrington went on, with Scotland worldwide Jordan transferring from full-back to fly-half as MacGinty’s substitute.
There was no let-up within the scoring, with Radwan breaking three tackles for Tigers’ second attempt as Bristol regrouped, and simply when the house aspect wanted factors skipper Harding obliged on his a hundredth league look, touching down from shut vary and Jordan transformed.
Radwan continued to impress, claiming a attempt double by way of one other good end, however there was extra damage woe for Bristol as scrum-half Randall exited clutching his left hamstring.
Bristol had been being examined in all areas, but they refused to buckle and drew degree after some crisp passing allowed Ibitoye enough area to attain, with Jordan’s conversion squaring the competition 17-17 at half time.
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Louis Ress Zammit speaks to Sky Sports activities after ending his NFL journey to return again to Rugby
A Jordan penalty early within the second interval nudged Bristol forward, and his affect on proceedings grew impressively as he displayed assured tactical management.
Bristol’s damage issues wouldn’t ease, although, and Ibitoye went off attributable to hamstring bother, however not earlier than Oghre crashed over from shut vary and Jordan’s conversion opened a 10-point lead.
It was a dominant third-quarter show from the house aspect, but Leicester completed it strongly courtesy of Bailey weaving his means over and including the conversion, making it 27-24.
However again got here Bristol, and Carrington’s sturdy end gave his workforce enough respiratory area to safe a powerful conquer adversity that Rees-Zammit sealed late on.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso’s attempt accomplished an astonishing second-half comeback by Exeter because the guests claimed a 33-33 draw at Northampton.
