SCOTLAND international Sean Maitland described playing in an empty stadium as “weird”.
The Saracens full-back admitted: “It’s going to take a couple more games to get used to this and hopefully the fans can come back soon.” But both Sarries and the Bears tried to step up the energy level at Ashton Gate and Maitland said: “The bench and the subs and the managers tried to make noise and it certainly echoes round this stadium.” Bristol rugby director Pat Lam insisted: “It doesn’t change the way you do your job.

“Our bench, the staff...