Bristol Bears
BURGESS EMBRACING LEADERSHIP ROLE AHEAD OF ALLIANZ CUP SEMI-FINAL
Lucy Burgess is embracing her leadership role at the helm of the Bristol Bears pack as her side prepare for an Allianz Cup semi-final.
The 23-year-old thrived on Cup duty earlier in the season, captaining Bears in two of their three Pool A clashes, and has helped guide her side to a home tie against Gloucester-Hartpury at Shaftesbury Park.
Dave Ward’s squad have not switched off since their international contingent reported for Guinness Women’s Six Nations duty and now Bears are ready to seize their opportunity to make the final.
Burgess said: “We’ve tried to keep the momentum going in terms of training and we have had no time off, we’ve just been sticking at it.
“It’s been really good for everyone with people switching in and out.
“I really enjoy the Cup personally because it’s a great environment to be in, we spend a lot of time together, especially in training, and we really want to put our best foot forward with the Cup.
“It’s a great competition to be a part of and I love leading the team.
“It’s developed over time more than anything, at nine I’m quite chatty anyway. It has really helped me within the team having this role and being able to lead from the front.
“I think everyone has bought into it as well.”
Making the final four of the Allianz Cup is a familiar feeling for Bears, who have lost out to eventual winners Exeter Chiefs in the past two seasons.
Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby leaders and reigning champions Gloucester-Hartpury await this time around in a fierce West Country derby which Burgess believes has all the ingredients to be a thriller.
The scrum half backed speedster Reneeqa Bonner to inspire a performance worthy of a final against the winner of Chiefs and Saracens on Saturday.
Burgess said: “Reneeqa is such a strong, powerful young runner and she’s got so much potential ahead of her.
“She’s got so much to give to the game as well, she’s only going to grow in this environment.
“There are a lot of younger girls who you wouldn’t see week to week that will go on to do really well.
“It’s going to be a really exciting game that gives everyone an opportunity to show off what they’re capable of.
“We’ve got some big ball carriers and speedsters on the outside.
“We’ve been in quite a few semi-finals now but this year we’ve worked so hard to get to where we are.”
Bears booked their semi-final spot by finishing top of Pool A, winning all their matches and topping 50 points in every fixture.
The hosts have home advantage on Sunday when The Circus arrive in town as both sides have eyes for their first silverware opportunity this season.
Burgess added: “We love playing at home and we really thrive off the crowds we get as well, to have home support is class for us.
“I really enjoy Ashton Gate, I love the atmosphere and going into the changing rooms but we’ve also got that home environment at Shaftesbury Park where we can all enjoy that experience too.
“Dave (Ward) has wanted us to keep working and keep pushing each other.
“Having this weekend is going to be really special for myself and a lot of girls to get that game time and prove what we can do.”
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