05 Mar Rugby union: talking points from the Premiership and international action

Bristol’s second-highest win took them into the top half of the Premiership table, although they fell back to seventhon Sunday and confirmed the tightness of the battle to avoid the drop. The promoted Bears are looking upwards and a squad that already includes Charles Piutau, Steven Luatua, Ian Madigan and John Afoa is set to be supplemented next season by the England No 8 Nathan Hughes, who is in the final year of his contract with Wasps. He looks set to move to Ashton Gate on a £500,000 annual wage, a significant hike on his current deal that Wasps are unable to match because of the salary cap. Given Jordan Crane’s form against his former club, it is not a position Bristol are weak in but they want depth in every position as they aim to join Europe’s elite within five years.