NICK CAIN

Bristol’s 17-10 win over Bath at Ashton Gate in front of more than 26,000 fans on Friday night will have sent shock waves through the Premiership, and the owners looking to ring-fence it.
Their clamour to turn the top tier into a closed shop is likely to grow louder because Bristol’s first round victory over their arch West Country rivals sends a signal that Pat Lam’s side are unlikely to be the relegation fall guys they were on their visit to the top tier the year before last.
The resilience Bristol showed in defence against a disappointing Bath side was match...