This week we focus on the Bears Women's upcoming semi-final play off with Gloucester-Hartpury on Sunday 2nd March at 3pm. Not only do we invite a proper dual season ticket holder onto the pod as a special guest but we also have an exclusive and in-depth interview with Dave Ward and Tom Luke. They give us a behind-the scenes deep dive into the seaso…

The boys are back at the Bristol Beer Factory for yor favourite Bristol rugby lock-in. Unashamedly long but to help you out here is the running order: 0 - 6m45s: Intros, beer review, riders and the BBF Quiz night details 6m45s - 22m0s: Bears Women's win at Quins and qualify for play-offs 22m0s - 29m33s: PWR Commentator cliches 29m33s - 30m40s: Inst…

As we head towards the Six Nations break we are sitting pretty in second place in the Prem table on 40 points. It might have been a bit of a topsy turvey win against Falcons that we appeared to try and win at least three times, but ultimately we scored 8 tries and pulled away in the final 'quarter'. We break down the game in our somewhat cheery and…

You’re listening to Bears Beyond The Gate, a Bristol Bears podcast made by fans for fans. We three regulars at Ashton Gate who love the club, the game and all things Bears. This week we look back on two Saturday fixtures with the Women going first with a bonus point victory 43-29 win against Leicester Tigers women at Ashton Gate and the Men managin…

The boys come together at the Bristol Beer Factory after a couple of cheeky pints to review the narrow victory at the Gate aganst Benetton. It was an inconsistent win but with plenty to be postive about despite almost losing at the end. Before that though, Miles issues a public apology to the whole Italian nation and we run through a large list of …

So, after the Christmas comedown, a visit to Saracens was always going to be a tough assignment given their team and our track record in North London. In the end a cheeky point was probably about right although we did look a few gift horses in the mouth and on another day we might have left with a few more. The Bears Women were also in action today…

In this week's episode Miles is off sick so we bring in a heavyweight replacement to provide laser sharp analysis of where it all went wrong. Welcome Mr Dave Attwood for his second appearance on the pod! Dave breaks down Friday's disappointing result from a recent player's perspective and we jump on his bandwagon to give our view from the stands. U…

We are back after a two week break and dive straight into a quick review of the tough European campaign. A great effort from the lads away at La Rochelle but ultimately we are sitting at the bottom of the table. We briefly discuss what this might mean for the ‘Andy Uren derby’ when Benetton come to town in January and then swiftly move on to more p…

In a very short late Sunday night post-match pod Pete and Miles reflect on the defeat to Leinster at a very windy Ashton Gate. Lets be honest - they were lucky to be 7-7 at the break having lost two men to the bin and struggling to find a way through the Bristol's inspired defence that also had to contend with the loss on AJ MacGinty after 5 mins, …

To mark the European heavyweights from Dublin's visit to Ashton gate on Sunday, former Bristol Bear and Leinster player Ian Madigan joins us for an episode packed with insights and nostalgia. He shares treasured memories from his time at Bristol, revealing what it was like to play under Pat Lam's leadership and how it shaped his approach to rugby. …

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Ever wondered how professional rugby players navigate the transition from one team to another while maintaining their game and sanity? Join us as we chat with Callum Sheedy and Dan Thomas, ex Bears who recently set up shop in Cardiff. They share what it's like to move from familiar territory, the emotional rollercoaster of starting anew, and how co…

What happens when you mix a makeshift dining room studio with lively rugby banter? You get a fun-filled episode of Bears Beyond the Gate! Join us as our usual podcast space at the Bristol Beer Factory Taproom is commandeered by the BBC, forcing us into the homely pod studio. Miles shares his up-close experience from the England versus Australia cla…

In this week’s episode we discuss the extent to which Ashton Gate is on its first steps to becoming a fortress after the first home win of the season against Saints despite our general lack of historical knowledge and the fact that the boys had to dig deep from 15-0 down. We also analyse TNT’s official post match interview with Joe Batley as well a…

In this week's episode we re-live the agonising defeat against Sarries, who are now well established as our Ashton Gate bogey team. We were much the better side but just couldn't put the game to bed when in front and on top. However it was a great spectacle for the 18K fans who turned up for the family day double header and long may the fast flowin…

This week the boys break down yet another away win for the Bears down at Sandy Park. At 32-12 down with all stats against us and only 14 minutes left on the clock, we somehow snatch victory from the jaws of defeat leaving us in dreamland and top of the table after four games. We try to make sense of the mayhem whilst opening cans of beer and marvel…

We can bearly contain ourselves this week as the Boys went to the Rec on Saturday as underdogs but left it with a wholehearted Blackbird ringing in their ears. It was a game of passion, purpose and no little skill on both sides but for the 145th time in the history of this fixture the Bears were triumphant. We break down the events at the Rec and t…

In this week's show Pete and Miles review the Friday night harem scarum defeat to Gloucester with help from many listener contributions and the Deputy Manager of the Bristol Bear Factory, Lewis. It was one of those games where every single statistic was in our favour apart from the one that matters, that is, the final score and perhaps on another d…

This week we review the start of the Premiership with the gritty but points-profitable win away at Newcastle. Was it a solid start with a few leanings or rather as good as you might expect given the time of year, the weather and the fact that they are coached by Steve Diamond? We read out listener thoughts, both poetic and prosaic, give our views o…

The boys get Season 6 (yes 6!) off to a solid start from the world famous Bristol Beer Factory and 'talk about' the following things: The Big Day out - good, bad or a bit of both? The new home and away kit - obviously good but just how good? The pre-season game vs Dragons - Miles and Pete report back along from a wet night at Clifton RFC with a bon…

The lads finally manage to organise a time to meet up and record their final thoughts on what turned out to be yet another roller coaster season for the Bears. They run through the season and their memories of each game, reveal the results of the listener vote and outline one final Lee-related Goat. Has he managed to secure a seat for next season o…

In this week's pod we re-live our epic journey to SW London on the Supporters Coach where we experienced, quite simply, one of the best rugby away days ever. We loved the Stoop... We loved the running rugby... We loved the ale and the Chicken Caesar burger (albeit a bit pricey) And one of us loved the cheeky little techno DJ... What a day, what a w…

In this week's episode, Pete, Miles and Lee review the defeat against Saracens at Ashton Gate. Despite a good start the Bears ultimately lost control of the game in the face of an incredibly experienced, focused and effective opposition who delivered a classic 'been there, seen that and worn the T-shirt' sort of performance led by the mercurial Owe…

This week we pick over the carcass that was the massacre in BS3 and we’re not talking about the hammering of Falcons at Ashton Gate last weekend. No, we’re talking about the first ever live pod at the Bristol Beer Factory Taproom. We look back on an evening of structured chaos, discuss the learnings and then move quickly on to more pressing matters…

It's a carnival atmosphere down at the Bristol Beer Factory Taproom this week as having constantly 'talked about' doing a live pod the lads actually execute one straight after the 13-try massacre of Newcastle Falcons at Ashton Gate. It's raw and it's raucous but the lads try their best to analyse the game despite 10% off the beers and 50% of the ch…

In this week's episode we formally announce our first ever live pod, in the sense that we are inviting an audience to the Bristol Beer Factory Taproom post Falcons at 6.30pm next Sunday. If you are interested in finding out more, and even contemplating joining us, then complete the Eventbrite registration below (it's free but it helps us get an ide…

You’re listening to Bears Beyond the Gate, a Bristol Bears podcast made by fans for fans. We’re two and a half season cardholders at Ashton Gate who love the club, the game and all things Bears. Well, Miles is happy as Pat listens to his selection advice from the ski slopes of France and moves Max to full back, Noah Howard to the wing and gives Gen…

In this week’s episode Pete and Miles dial in from their respective ski resorts whilst Lee shakes his head at the whole middle classy-ness of it all. That said, it was worth the effort as the boys chew over the fantastic victory against Saints on Friday and give their thoughts on what was very close to being the elusive 80- performance. They discus…

In this weeks's episode we preview the return of the Prem with help from the Telegraph's Charlie Morgan. It's been a long break but there's all to play for and as we're only three points off 6th and six points off 4th can we dare to dream? We also comment on Pat's interview on Bears TV this week and then try and pick the team for Friday. With a lot…

In the second of our occasional 'doc-pods' we head towards the end of this long fallow period by hearing from Paul Morgan, who is the Communications Lead of PWR and previously Communications Director at Premier Rugby and before that editor of Rugby World. He talks about the rebranding of the PRW this season, his thoughts about Bears Women team and …

In this week's slightly delayed pod (technical difficulties) we hear from Bristol legend and current Galway resident Joe Joyce . He gives us some insight into what it's like getting a bit of niggle going with some of your best mates in the European Cup, speaks candidly about why he left his home town for pastures new and 'talks about' his future as…

It's only Pete and Lee this week down at the Bristol Beer Factory Taproom supping a couple of cheeky beers, as Miles calls in sick at the last minute. However, they still manage to fill the time, with help from listener posts, discussing the Bears Women victory against Loughborough Lightening in particular and how their season is hotting up more ge…

In this week's BUMPER episode we hear from Dave Attwood about: His life since retirement... His time at the Bears and what it was like working under Pat... THAT semi final defeat and why it all went wrong... What he thinks about Bristol's season so far AND how we are not 'a million miles away from clicking' and finally... His answers to some incred…

In the first ever Bears Beyond The Gate 'docu-pod' we hear from Kiera, Kaye and Sophie about the work of the Bears Together Supporters Advisory Committee (SAC) an initiative that was announced at the start of the season as a way of the club being able to gather more direct feedback from fans about off-field matters. They talk about who they, and ot…

As the Premiership takes a mid season break for the Six Nations, we review the monumental banger at Ashton Gate as Bristol maintain their seven-game home town winning streak against Bath. Basically it was just a mental game of rugby. Multiple line breaks, gorgeous offloads and 14 tries AND virtually no box kicks or scrums. It was rugby played the w…

In this week's episode we welcome work experience fella Reg to deputise for Lee who is still in witness protection after his new year Bristol Post article - or is he just taking the Christmas Tree down? We discuss the poor result and performance against Connacht which essentially saw us dumped out of both European Cups in one go and debate what thi…

Vote for us at the Sports Podcast Awards 2024 and help us bring home some silverware for the Bears! Click on the link below... https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-rugby-podcast/ And in other news, the Bears lose to a decent Bulls outfit who out-muscle them in the scrum and generally look a bit better all round. Hear our thoughts…

In this week's show we prepare, bake and scoff large amounts of humble pie after the surprise Bears' victory away at Sale Sharks. How can we be so bad and so good all in one week? We get the views of regular social media followers and also hear from yet another roving reporter who saw the game live, as well as throwing in our thoughts and opinions …

Crocodile Dundee returns to chew the Christmas cud with a somewhat unstructured ramble thought the festive period culminating in a long discussion about the impacts of last Friday's hugely disappointing defeat against Exeter 2.0 in front of sell-out crowd. Despite leading 14-12 at the break the Bears were bageled in the second half at the hands of …

In this week's episode we relish the record breaking 51-26 victory over Gloucester and the retention of the Rifles Cup. After five losses on the bounce this was as a cathartic an experience as you are likely to get and the relief flowing around the Gate on the final whistle was palpable. We read and hear the thoughts of our listeners and then brief…

We slip to a fifth defeat in a row at the Stone X but battle hard for a cheeky try bonus point which was the least we deserved. We may have scored a couple of worldies but we also shipped seven and if Owen Farrell had put his boots on the right way round it could have been a lot worse. We review the game with help from a few listeners and the Chair…

In this week's episode - our 150th - we chew over the agonising last ditch defeat at the Rec with help from our listeners and reflect on how we really need to start getting on the right side of 'fine margins' otherwise the season is going to slip away. That said, there were plenty of positives to take from the game and we pray that they might be so…

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WARNING - THERE IS THE SOUND OF RAIN FALLING AT VARIOUS POINTS DURING THIS RECORDING BUT WE WERE TRYING SOMETHING NEW SO BE PATIENT WITH US! 😩 So, our unerring ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory continues with a second frustrating result in a week down at Sandy Park. To be fair it was a gritty performance at the place where both Sarr…

So, the brief winning run is over thanks to a last gasp penalty for Quins at the death on Saturday. It was family day at the Gate but unfortunately the Bears were unable to keep all the kids happy with a mixed display that included some very good but also some frustratingly sloppy bad. Ultimately we were the architects of our own downfall and our d…

It's the first time in three years that we have won away at Franklin’s Gardens although after going 18-9 down early in the second half it was great to see the boys ‘dig’ themselves out of a hole and ‘sow the seeds’ of a victory with a penalty and a converted try before the break ultimately making Miles ‘soil’ his pants at the death by efficiently m…

Well, the waiting was over and after an extended pre-season the Premiership finally returned to Ashton Gate with the visit of Leicester Tigers. With both teams missing international players, it was an opportunity for new signings and squad players to impress, and impress they did, albeit mainly for Bristol. At 25-0 up and cruising some of us were w…

In this week's episode we round up the Premiership Cup/pre-season campaign and reflect on the shellacking meted out to poor Cambridge who were universally challenged all over the park. It was great to see a tsunami of tries but we ultimately finished second in our group and therefore miss out on two more games and a chance of silverware later on in…

In this term’s opener we reveal some earth shattering news from the summer break but pull ourselves together and cast an eye over the pre-season so far. After welcoming the Baa Baas to Ashton Gate with a gift of 50 plus points, shipping even more down at Sandy Park with a team requiring parental permission to play, and then getting ‘edged out’ by E…

In our final episode of the season we discuss the bonus-point victory against Gloucester which wasn't quite enough to gain a Champions Cup place next year. In this bumper edition we look back at our highlights of the past year and chat about the impact some of our departing players have had on the club and the fans. We give our thoughts on the play…