"Nightmare” – Verdict on Louis Rees-Zammit’s first game back with Bristol
Rugby NewsTuesday, 16 September 2025 at 11:46
Bristol Bears fell to a 24-15 defeat away at Sale Sharks in their Premiership Rugby Cup opener – with all eyes on new superstar signing Louis Rees-Zammit, who endured a tough return to rugby union.
Pat Lam’s men made the brighter start at the Salford Community Stadium. Joe Jenkins crossed under the sticks after a sharp break from Harry Thacker, before Josh Carrington powered over on debut with AJ MacGinty supplying the assist. At half-time, Bristol deservedly led 15-7.
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But the second half was all Sale. With Fitz Harding in the bin, debutant Nathan Jibulu crashed over to drag the Sharks level. From there, the momentum never shifted back.
Replacement nine Dom Hanson sniped over after a brilliant burst from Ollie Davies, and the young back-row then grabbed one of his own, finishing in the corner after slick hands involving Rekeiti Ma’asi-White.
Rees-Zammit entered the fray on 50 minutes, but the Welsh flyer had a debut to forget. The winger was dumped on his backside by Ma’asi-White and struggled to make an impact as Bristol were pinned in their own half. One report branded it a “nightmare return” with the speedster looking “miles off it.”
The result leaves Sale sitting pretty with a bonus-point win in Pool A, while Bristol must regroup fast after a second-half collapse.
EDITORS PICKS:
2027 Rugby World Cup Draw: England get tough pool
The 2027 Rugby World Cup is set to be a landmark tournament, expanding to 24 teams and hosted by Australia from October 1 to November 13, 2027.
The official pool draw is scheduled for December 2025, but based on current World Rugby rankings, here's a predicted breakdown of the pools and profiles of the teams involved.
Pool A
New Zealand – The Mighty All Blacks
The All Blacks are perennial powerhouses with three World Cup titles (1987, 2011, 2015). They reached the final in 2023 but were narrowly defeated by South Africa 12–11.
Argentina – Los Pumas on the Prowl
Los Pumas are known for their physical play and passionate fan base, consistently challenging top-tier teams.
Portugal – The Lusitanian Lancers
Emerging as a strong contender, Portugal has been improving steadily, surprising bigger nations with their grit.
USA – The Eagle Soars
The Eagles are steadily developing their rugby program, with increasing participation and performance levels.
Pool B
Ireland – The Emerald Warriors
Ireland boasts a rich rugby history and a strong domestic league, making them a formidable opponent in any pool.
Scotland – The Braveheart Tacklers
Scotland is known for tactical play and resilience, consistently challenging the sport's elite.
Uruguay – Los Teros Tenacious
Uruguay has grown significantly in international rugby, showcasing strong defense and spirited play.
Chile – The Rugby Condors
Chile is making strides, with a growing domestic scene and increasing international experience.
Pool C
South Africa – The Springbok Stalwarts
South Africa are masters of forward play and history-makers, winning the 2023 Rugby World Cup with a thrilling 12–11 victory over New Zealand.
Fiji – The Flying Fijians
Fiji’s flair and skill make them exciting to watch, blending tradition with dynamic attacking rugby.
Tonga – The Island Titans
Tonga brings relentless physicality and passion, often punching above their weight.
Romania – The Oak Strongmen
Romania has a long-standing rugby tradition, emphasizing forward dominance and set-piece strength.
Pool D
France – Les Bleus Unleashed
France is unpredictable and dynamic, capable of taking down any team with flair and creativity.
Italy – The Azzurri Avengers
Italy has steadily improved, developing young talent and focusing on competitive consistency.
Spain – The Iberian Bulls
Spain is emerging in European rugby, combining speed, skill, and growing experience on the international stage.
Hong Kong China – The Dragon Chargers
Hong Kong China qualified for the first time by winning the 2025 Asia Rugby Championship, defeating South Korea 70–22 in the final. This marks a significant milestone for rugby in Asia.
Pool E
England – The Red Rose Rampagers
England has a rich rugby heritage, with a strong domestic league and impressive international pedigree.
Georgia – The Scrum Kings
Known for their formidable scrum and forward play, Georgia is a rising force in European rugby.
Samoa – The Island Hurricanes
Samoa’s team combines skill, physicality, and a passionate rugby culture.
Canada – The Maple Warriors
Canada continues to develop their program, aiming to compete strongly on the world stage.
Pool F
Australia – The Wallabies on Home Turf
The host nation brings talent and experience, ready to dazzle crowds across seven cities.
Wales – The Dragon Fire
Wales is known for passionate supporters and a team that often exceeds expectations.
Japan – The Rising Sun Speedsters
Japan has become a force with speed, discipline, and memorable performances in previous World Cups.
Zimbabwe – The Sables’ Return
Zimbabwe qualified for 2027 by defeating Namibia 30–28 in the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup, marking their first World Cup appearance since 1991.
Tournament Format
The 24-team format features a pool stage followed by knockout rounds, including a Round of 16, Quarter-finals, Semi-finals, and Final.
Host Cities
Matches will take place across Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth, Sydney, and Townsville.
Ticketing
Over 2.5 million tickets will be available, with travel packages launching in 2026.
QUIZ: Can you name all 26 teams to have played at the Men’s Rugby World Cups?
Think you know your rugby history? Test your knowledge and see if you can name all 26 teams that have played at the Men's Rugby World Cup.
You've got just 5 minutes on the clock – no pressure!
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- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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