Premiership/URC
The Gallagher Premiership is the premier rugby competition in England, featuring 10 clubs. It features a total of 14 players of Fijian heritage or nationality.
The United Rugby Championship is a tier 1 rugby competition featuring the top clubs from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Italy and South Africa. 6 players of Fijian heritage or Nationality are rostered amongst its 16 teams.
Bristol shock competition with 18-14 win over Exeter
Bristol shocked the competition with a gutsy and gritty win over the much fancied Exeter.
Better known for their flair and attacking brilliance, the Bears showed a side to them that was not believed to be in their DNA - pure defensive resilience.
Viliame Mata scored their opening try in the 25th minute. He beat the initial 2 defenders before running the best part of 50 metres untouched.
In the closing 15 minutes, the home side defended their line as the Chiefs tried desperately to score what would have been a go-ahead score, instead denied time and time again by a resolute Bristol defence.
Head Coach Pat Lam called it "the proudest I have ever been" post game.
Sela scores first Premiership try
Bath Prop Billy Sela scored his first Premiership Rugby try in Bath's season opening game against Harlequins.
The England U20 rep powered over from close range in the 33rd minute as the visitors mounted a comeback after trailing early in the first half.
In other Premiership news, Eroni Mawi came off the bench in Saracens 39-17 win over the Newcastle Red Bulls while Kalaveti Ravouvou and Viliame Mata have both been named on the Bristol bench for their match against Leicester.
Bath take Premiership
Bath have won the Gallagher Premiership final, beating Leicester in a tense and exciting match 23-21. The Tigers scored 3 tries to Bath's 2 but it wasn't enough in the end. Joe Cokanasiga wins his first title while Ben Volavola didn't take the field for Leicester.
Volavola named in Final lineup
Ben Volavola has been named on the bench for Leicester in the Premiership final against Bath. The former Flying Fijians pivot set up a crucial try for the Tigers in last weekend's Semi Final when he found a flying Izaia Perese who took it 40 metres to score.
For Bath, hot favourites coming into the match, Joe Cokanasiga has been named on the right wing.
Tuisue joins Provence
Flying Fijians backrower Albert Tuisue will join Provence in the Pro D2 next season, leaving Gloucester after 3 years. Tuisue is due to join the Fiji test camp for their upcoming tests against the Wallabies and Scotland. See all transfers
Player Updates
Viliame Mata scored his first try of the Premiership season for Bristol in their win over Exeter 18-14.
The Flying Fijians veteran turned back the clock on a sideline dash beating 2 players in a 50 metre run to score the Bear’s first try of the afternoon.
It wasn’t your typical flashy Bristol performance rather a gritty and defence-led match. At one point the Bears defended their line for nearly 10 minutes at the end of the match.
Mata played the full 80, making 13 carries for 54 metres, 1 linebreak, 1 offload and 6 tackles defensively.
They’re on the road again next week against Gloucester.
Defending Premiership champions Bath have started the new campaign with 3 straight wins, earning a maximum 15 points.
In round 3 they hosted the winless Gloucester and were too good at home, winning 38-17.
Joe Cokanasiga started the season off rather quiet by his own standard but against the Cherry and Whites, he made a game high 96 metres from 10 carries, 2 linebreaks and beat 3 defenders.
Bath certainly look the goods early in the season. They’re on the road next up against Leicester.
Bath took on Harlequins in their season opening match and trailed 12-0 after 8 minutes.
They eventually worked their way back into the game and in the 33rd minute young Prop Billy Sela powered over from close range to score his first Premiership try.
He also made 9 tough carries into contact, with 19 metres gained and 5 tackles defensively. Bath also were perfect in their scrum efficiency with 100% retention of their own put-ins.
