Ever wondered how professional rugby players navigate the transition from one team to another while maintaining their game and sanity? Join us as we chat with Callum Sheedy and Dan Thomas, ex Bears who recently set up shop in Cardiff. They share what it's like to move from familiar territory, the emotional rollercoaster of starting anew, and how co…

What happens when you mix a makeshift dining room studio with lively rugby banter? You get a fun-filled episode of Bears Beyond the Gate! Join us as our usual podcast space at the Bristol Beer Factory Taproom is commandeered by the BBC, forcing us into the homely pod studio. Miles shares his up-close experience from the England versus Australia cla…

In this week’s episode we discuss the extent to which Ashton Gate is on its first steps to becoming a fortress after the first home win of the season against Saints despite our general lack of historical knowledge and the fact that the boys had to dig deep from 15-0 down. We also analyse TNT’s official post match interview with Joe Batley as well a…

In this week's episode we re-live the agonising defeat against Sarries, who are now well established as our Ashton Gate bogey team. We were much the better side but just couldn't put the game to bed when in front and on top. However it was a great spectacle for the 18K fans who turned up for the family day double header and long may the fast flowin…

This week the boys break down yet another away win for the Bears down at Sandy Park. At 32-12 down with all stats against us and only 14 minutes left on the clock, we somehow snatch victory from the jaws of defeat leaving us in dreamland and top of the table after four games. We try to make sense of the mayhem whilst opening cans of beer and marvel…

We can bearly contain ourselves this week as the Boys went to the Rec on Saturday as underdogs but left it with a wholehearted Blackbird ringing in their ears. It was a game of passion, purpose and no little skill on both sides but for the 145th time in the history of this fixture the Bears were triumphant. We break down the events at the Rec and t…

In this week's show Pete and Miles review the Friday night harem scarum defeat to Gloucester with help from many listener contributions and the Deputy Manager of the Bristol Bear Factory, Lewis. It was one of those games where every single statistic was in our favour apart from the one that matters, that is, the final score and perhaps on another d…

This week we review the start of the Premiership with the gritty but points-profitable win away at Newcastle. Was it a solid start with a few leanings or rather as good as you might expect given the time of year, the weather and the fact that they are coached by Steve Diamond? We read out listener thoughts, both poetic and prosaic, give our views o…

The boys get Season 6 (yes 6!) off to a solid start from the world famous Bristol Beer Factory and 'talk about' the following things: The Big Day out - good, bad or a bit of both? The new home and away kit - obviously good but just how good? The pre-season game vs Dragons - Miles and Pete report back along from a wet night at Clifton RFC with a bon…

The lads finally manage to organise a time to meet up and record their final thoughts on what turned out to be yet another roller coaster season for the Bears. They run through the season and their memories of each game, reveal the results of the listener vote and outline one final Lee-related Goat. Has he managed to secure a seat for next season o…

In this week's pod we re-live our epic journey to SW London on the Supporters Coach where we experienced, quite simply, one of the best rugby away days ever. We loved the Stoop... We loved the running rugby... We loved the ale and the Chicken Caesar burger (albeit a bit pricey) And one of us loved the cheeky little techno DJ... What a day, what a w…

In this week's episode, Pete, Miles and Lee review the defeat against Saracens at Ashton Gate. Despite a good start the Bears ultimately lost control of the game in the face of an incredibly experienced, focused and effective opposition who delivered a classic 'been there, seen that and worn the T-shirt' sort of performance led by the mercurial Owe…

This week we pick over the carcass that was the massacre in BS3 and we’re not talking about the hammering of Falcons at Ashton Gate last weekend. No, we’re talking about the first ever live pod at the Bristol Beer Factory Taproom. We look back on an evening of structured chaos, discuss the learnings and then move quickly on to more pressing matters…

It's a carnival atmosphere down at the Bristol Beer Factory Taproom this week as having constantly 'talked about' doing a live pod the lads actually execute one straight after the 13-try massacre of Newcastle Falcons at Ashton Gate. It's raw and it's raucous but the lads try their best to analyse the game despite 10% off the beers and 50% of the ch…

In this week's episode we formally announce our first ever live pod, in the sense that we are inviting an audience to the Bristol Beer Factory Taproom post Falcons at 6.30pm next Sunday. If you are interested in finding out more, and even contemplating joining us, then complete the Eventbrite registration below (it's free but it helps us get an ide…

You’re listening to Bears Beyond the Gate, a Bristol Bears podcast made by fans for fans. We’re two and a half season cardholders at Ashton Gate who love the club, the game and all things Bears. Well, Miles is happy as Pat listens to his selection advice from the ski slopes of France and moves Max to full back, Noah Howard to the wing and gives Gen…

In this week’s episode Pete and Miles dial in from their respective ski resorts whilst Lee shakes his head at the whole middle classy-ness of it all. That said, it was worth the effort as the boys chew over the fantastic victory against Saints on Friday and give their thoughts on what was very close to being the elusive 80- performance. They discus…

In this weeks's episode we preview the return of the Prem with help from the Telegraph's Charlie Morgan. It's been a long break but there's all to play for and as we're only three points off 6th and six points off 4th can we dare to dream? We also comment on Pat's interview on Bears TV this week and then try and pick the team for Friday. With a lot…

In the second of our occasional 'doc-pods' we head towards the end of this long fallow period by hearing from Paul Morgan, who is the Communications Lead of PWR and previously Communications Director at Premier Rugby and before that editor of Rugby World. He talks about the rebranding of the PRW this season, his thoughts about Bears Women team and …

In this week's slightly delayed pod (technical difficulties) we hear from Bristol legend and current Galway resident Joe Joyce . He gives us some insight into what it's like getting a bit of niggle going with some of your best mates in the European Cup, speaks candidly about why he left his home town for pastures new and 'talks about' his future as…

It's only Pete and Lee this week down at the Bristol Beer Factory Taproom supping a couple of cheeky beers, as Miles calls in sick at the last minute. However, they still manage to fill the time, with help from listener posts, discussing the Bears Women victory against Loughborough Lightening in particular and how their season is hotting up more ge…

In this week's BUMPER episode we hear from Dave Attwood about: His life since retirement... His time at the Bears and what it was like working under Pat... THAT semi final defeat and why it all went wrong... What he thinks about Bristol's season so far AND how we are not 'a million miles away from clicking' and finally... His answers to some incred…

In the first ever Bears Beyond The Gate 'docu-pod' we hear from Kiera, Kaye and Sophie about the work of the Bears Together Supporters Advisory Committee (SAC) an initiative that was announced at the start of the season as a way of the club being able to gather more direct feedback from fans about off-field matters. They talk about who they, and ot…

As the Premiership takes a mid season break for the Six Nations, we review the monumental banger at Ashton Gate as Bristol maintain their seven-game home town winning streak against Bath. Basically it was just a mental game of rugby. Multiple line breaks, gorgeous offloads and 14 tries AND virtually no box kicks or scrums. It was rugby played the w…

In this week's episode we welcome work experience fella Reg to deputise for Lee who is still in witness protection after his new year Bristol Post article - or is he just taking the Christmas Tree down? We discuss the poor result and performance against Connacht which essentially saw us dumped out of both European Cups in one go and debate what thi…

Vote for us at the Sports Podcast Awards 2024 and help us bring home some silverware for the Bears! Click on the link below... https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-rugby-podcast/ And in other news, the Bears lose to a decent Bulls outfit who out-muscle them in the scrum and generally look a bit better all round. Hear our thoughts…

In this week's show we prepare, bake and scoff large amounts of humble pie after the surprise Bears' victory away at Sale Sharks. How can we be so bad and so good all in one week? We get the views of regular social media followers and also hear from yet another roving reporter who saw the game live, as well as throwing in our thoughts and opinions …

Crocodile Dundee returns to chew the Christmas cud with a somewhat unstructured ramble thought the festive period culminating in a long discussion about the impacts of last Friday's hugely disappointing defeat against Exeter 2.0 in front of sell-out crowd. Despite leading 14-12 at the break the Bears were bageled in the second half at the hands of …

In this week's episode we relish the record breaking 51-26 victory over Gloucester and the retention of the Rifles Cup. After five losses on the bounce this was as a cathartic an experience as you are likely to get and the relief flowing around the Gate on the final whistle was palpable. We read and hear the thoughts of our listeners and then brief…

We slip to a fifth defeat in a row at the Stone X but battle hard for a cheeky try bonus point which was the least we deserved. We may have scored a couple of worldies but we also shipped seven and if Owen Farrell had put his boots on the right way round it could have been a lot worse. We review the game with help from a few listeners and the Chair…

In this week's episode - our 150th - we chew over the agonising last ditch defeat at the Rec with help from our listeners and reflect on how we really need to start getting on the right side of 'fine margins' otherwise the season is going to slip away. That said, there were plenty of positives to take from the game and we pray that they might be so…

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WARNING - THERE IS THE SOUND OF RAIN FALLING AT VARIOUS POINTS DURING THIS RECORDING BUT WE WERE TRYING SOMETHING NEW SO BE PATIENT WITH US! 😩 So, our unerring ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory continues with a second frustrating result in a week down at Sandy Park. To be fair it was a gritty performance at the place where both Sarr…

So, the brief winning run is over thanks to a last gasp penalty for Quins at the death on Saturday. It was family day at the Gate but unfortunately the Bears were unable to keep all the kids happy with a mixed display that included some very good but also some frustratingly sloppy bad. Ultimately we were the architects of our own downfall and our d…

It's the first time in three years that we have won away at Franklin’s Gardens although after going 18-9 down early in the second half it was great to see the boys ‘dig’ themselves out of a hole and ‘sow the seeds’ of a victory with a penalty and a converted try before the break ultimately making Miles ‘soil’ his pants at the death by efficiently m…

Well, the waiting was over and after an extended pre-season the Premiership finally returned to Ashton Gate with the visit of Leicester Tigers. With both teams missing international players, it was an opportunity for new signings and squad players to impress, and impress they did, albeit mainly for Bristol. At 25-0 up and cruising some of us were w…

In this week's episode we round up the Premiership Cup/pre-season campaign and reflect on the shellacking meted out to poor Cambridge who were universally challenged all over the park. It was great to see a tsunami of tries but we ultimately finished second in our group and therefore miss out on two more games and a chance of silverware later on in…

In this term’s opener we reveal some earth shattering news from the summer break but pull ourselves together and cast an eye over the pre-season so far. After welcoming the Baa Baas to Ashton Gate with a gift of 50 plus points, shipping even more down at Sandy Park with a team requiring parental permission to play, and then getting ‘edged out’ by E…

In our final episode of the season we discuss the bonus-point victory against Gloucester which wasn't quite enough to gain a Champions Cup place next year. In this bumper edition we look back at our highlights of the past year and chat about the impact some of our departing players have had on the club and the fans. We give our thoughts on the play…

Feelings run high in BBTG Towers as the Bears fall to a 22-21 defeat away at Exeter despite playing with an extra man for 60 minutes. A high penalty count and some costly errors mean the Bears lose another winnable game and face a last-day battle for a Champions Cup place for next term. Hear our thoughts on the game, tactics and levels of commitmen…

It was Go Green night at Ashton Gate but fans we're left seeing red and feeling blue after tasting defeat yet again against Sale as the Sharks glided off with a 20-36 victory. Hear our thoughts about the tactics, performances and one or two other things that caught our eye on Friday night. We discuss the trip to Exeter for the penultimate game of t…

Welcome to this week's show where we discuss the 26-33 home defeat at the hands of Clermont. A couple of gift-wrapped tries in each half meant Bristol had too much to do to snatch a victory at the end. All in all, a disappointing end to our European campaign. We also discuss the nine players who have extended their contracts plus the two new arriva…

Our four game winning streak came to an end on the road at Leicester but despite the 46-22 final score this was a game we could have won if we'd taken our chances and looked after our discipline. Hear our thoughts on the player performances, key moments and what it means for our league campaign. We then look ahead to the European Challenge Cup game…

It may have been a Sunday service, but there was nothing Godly about the rugby filth on show as Bristol backed up last week's big win with a another try fiesta to beat Harlequins 51-26. Memories of the 'Bristanbul' semi final defeat to Quins are starting to fade as Bristol completed the double on the fancy dans from South West London. Hear our thou…

Hell yeah. After a very long wait we finally got to see a full 80-minute performance from the Bears as they dismantled Northampton by nine tries to one. Hear our thoughts on the game, player performances and the sheer joy of Friday night after a long and fairly bleak winter. We'll also look ahead to the next game against Harlequins on Sunday and di…

This week we talk about Bristol's 15-13 win against old rivals Bath at the Rec. In one of the scrappiest games of the season the Bears pulled of the win, despite a stuttering performance. Hear our thoughts on the game and the player performances. We also look forward to the next home game against the Saints with the help of Tom Vickers, Sports Writ…

This week we talk about the long awaited 30-12 league win at home against Newcastle. After a 77-day break since the last home game in the Premiership, Bristol stepped up to grab a bonus-point victory with the last play of the game. Here our thoughts on the match, standout performances and what this means for the remaining campaign. On this show we …

In this week's show Pete and Lee chew over the last minute defeat against Saracens. How on earth did we manage to lose that one and what is it about the Bears and game management? More of a therapy session than an analytical deep dive the lads at least try to make some sort of sense of the nonsensical. Was it just 'one of those things' or symptomat…

A first half performance by Bristol which was full of brio warmed the cockles of the Ashton Gate faithful as a home tie in the Challenge Cup round of 16 was secured despite getting five points docked earlier in the week. After conceding an early try the Bears roared back with five unanswered dots over the whitewash with some sparkling back play bui…

In this week's show the boys discuss the win against Parma-Zebre in round three of the European Challenge Cup. After a totally forgettable first period the half time team talk seems to work for a change and eventually the Bears pull away with a feast of tries in the final quarter. Seeing both Harry Randall and Siva Nualago back on the park and seem…