Bristol: Premiership break has been a ‘blessing’, says Steven Luatua

Back-row Steven Luatua believes the six-week break from the Premiership during the Six Nations turned Bristol into top four contenders.

Bristol are the in-form side in the league, having won their last six games since the start of the year to propel themselves into fourth place with two games to go.

The 33-year-old winger, who signed a new contract with the Bears this week, said the period allowed the team to refocus on the basics in practice.

“The weeks before when we fight, we watch the tape and it’s not what we train for,” he told BBC Radio Bristol.

“Our blessing in heaven (is) we had that time off, six weeks when the Six Nations opened and we put a lot of groundwork in and a lot of guys started to have confidence.

“When we came out the other side of it, we were able to execute the plays that we planned to do from the beginning.”

Luatua has been a consistent leader for Bristol during his seven years with the club, joining when they were still a Championship side and part of the team that finished top of the table in 2020-21.

The Bears have won nine of the 10 Premiership games the Samoan international has played in this campaign.

“That’s exactly what we’re striving for as a club – to be in the top four and hopefully make it to the top four,” Luatua said.

“When it comes to the play-offs, it’s anybody’s game.”

Bristol face two crucial games, firstly against second-placed Saracens at Ashton Gate on Saturday, before traveling to Harlequins – currently level on points with the Bears in fifth – on the final day (Saturday 18 May) of the regular season.

While Bristol’s attacking flair has been on display in recent weeks on the pitch – they top the stats for most tries and points scored and most meters gained – Luatua said against Saracens he will have to play “Smarter”.

“Now we’re in this play-off hunt, I think the intensity will increase,” he said.

“A lot of kicks from the nine, a lot of kicks from the 10, and when we get the opportunity, we have to execute (and) expect to play from deep in our half if we have to.”