Skip to content

Ealing v Bristol: Two players to watch

Watch live on Sky Sports Action from 6.45pm on Saturday

Alun Walker on the charge for Ealing Trailfinders
Image: Alun Walker on the charge for Ealing Trailfinders

Something has to give in west London on Saturday night. It will either be the Ealing Trailfinders' unbeaten home record, or Bristol's 100 per cent run in the Championship.

It's first against second in the league, both sides have promotion ambitions and Ealing are going to make sure it's not a procession back to the Premiership for Bristol. Here are two players to look out for on Saturday night:

Live Championship Rugby Union

Steven Luatua

Luatua is one of nine internationals in Bristol's starting line-up. The 15 cap All Black has picked up man-of-the-match accolades, captained the side, and has scored four tries in his nine Championship games this season.

Steven Luatua of the Barbarians encapsulated his side's free-styling performance
Image: Steven Luatua in action for the Barbarians

Luatua is central to Pat Lam's plans to get Bristol back to the Premiership and keep them there. Lam has also signed fellow All Blacks Charles Piutau and John Afoa for the 2018/19 season.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Ealing Trailfinders welcome Greene King IPA Championship leaders Bristol to London on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Action.

Alun Walker

Walker is Ealing's outstanding hooker and is the joint top try scorer in the league coming into the round with 13 tries. The former Scotland age-grade player is in his third season at the club, having helped the side win promotion from National league 1.

The set-piece was an area where the Ealing pack targeted Bristol in the reverse fixture in Round 5, with Walker and fellow front rower Will Davis crossing the whitewash.

Around Sky