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Exeter Chiefs have endured a nightmare campaign that has seen them pick up just two wins all year, while Bristol Bears are flying high at the other end of the table.
Exeter Chiefs have endured a nightmare campaign that has seen them pick up just two wins all year, while Bristol Bears are flying high at the other end of the table.
In round 11, Bristol beat Newcastle Falcons 55-35, while Exeter picked up a rare 31-22 victory over Saracens.
Exeter are six points above bottom-place Newcastle, while Bristol headed into this weekend second and only six points off top spot.
Ravouvou is hard to stop once he gets on the scoresheet
Noah Heward and Kalaveti Ravouvou scored two tries in the win over Newcastle, meaning the latter has scored more than one try in three matches this season which is more than any other player and is the league’s top scorer with eight.
Back row Fitz Harding is a creative threat given he's offloaded more than any other player this season, a total of 21 times.
For Exeter, scrum-half Stu Townsend had five of his kicks regathered by a Exeter player against Saracens, the highest total of round 11.
Much of their creativity is conjured up by England star Henry Slade, who has assisted seven breaks this season.
Bears' deadly attack looks no match for Chiefs
The team stats are staggering when you compare the teams.
In tries scored Bristol are second with 56, while Exeter are ninth amassing only 29.
The contrasts in attacking numbers continue to be frightening with Bristol leading the league in visits to opposition 22 (141), carries (1692), metres (6322), clean breaks (181), defenders beaten (336), offloads (172) and passes (1881), showcasing their willingness to attack from all areas.
Exeter rank ninth in visits to opposition 22 (100), sixth in carries (1406), eighth in metres (3739), clean breaks (82) and defenders beaten (229), while in offloads (89) and passes (1409) they are sixth.
Chiefs hopes largely lay in the scrum
However, Bristol have struggled for turnovers this season ranking last with only 54, while Exeter are two places above with 67. While, Exeter also have the edge at scrum time, having a slightly lower scrum success rate of 89.29% compared to Bristol's 92.19% but winning 21 penalties - third in the league, while the Bears have won just 11 and are seventh in that area.
