Latest news with #Ibitoye

Gabriel Ibitoye is the most divisive player in English rugby

Yahoo

7 days ago

Sport
Yahoo

Gabriel Ibitoye is the most divisive player in English rugby

Whether you are staring at his entrancing footwork or examining his mind-bending statistics, you can quickly start to feel dizzy around Gabriel Ibitoye. At the end of the regular season, the Bristol Bears winger finished as the Gallagher's Premiership joint top try scorer with Ollie Hassell-Collins, having played fewer games. Advertisement Among English wings, he finished top for carries (152), break assists (11), metres gained (1179), offloads (25) and passes (117) – the latter three categories by massive margins. Extrapolate that across the United Rugby Championship and Top 14 and no other wing in Europe scores more tries, gains more metres, passes more frequently or carries more on a per-80 minute basis than Ibitoye, according to statistics provided by Opta. Even Bordeaux sensation Louis Bielle-Biarrey does not match his strike rate of more than a try a game. And yet the 27-year-old remains uncapped by England and did not even feature in head coach Steve Borthwick's most recent training squad, which did not include any Lions, Bath or Northampton players. Advertisement Certainly with the likes of Tommy Freeman, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Tom Roebuck, England are well stocked in the wing department, but Ibitoye's combination of devastating footwork and freakish handling skills seem born from a different planet. It is hard to escape the feeling that there's a peculiar English mistrust of those who possess a startling point of difference over more well-rounded alternatives, a sentiment shared by Pat Lam, the Bears director of rugby. 'I honestly believe he would be an All Black if he was born there, I really do,' Lam told Telegraph Sport. 'I know Scott Robertson well and if he was a Kiwi he would be an All Black and thriving at that.' Beyond reference to the 'competitive arena' in the wide positions, Borthwick has not directly referenced why he has overlooked Ibitoye. Others have taken up that mantle on his behalf, referencing Ibitoye's defence, high-ball work and perceived work-rate. There are few more divisive players in the Premiership on social media. Advertisement Lam is keen to address what he calls some 'lazy narratives' that have sprung up around Ibitoye, authorising Bristol's strength and conditioning team to release the metrics they keep on players' work-rate in games. On average, Ibitoye will record up to 1,200 metres of high speed running, which is defined as 19km/h in an average game – more than a Bronco Test and more than 400m of very high-speed running, defined as 25.2 km/h; this would be the equivalent of running a 5km race in 11min 54sec. Ibitoye will also record 23 repeat-effort bouts which consist of three individual efforts separated by 20 seconds or less. 'Sometimes with the guys who are different you find that they don't work but honestly his work-rate is so high,' Lam said. His other standout quality, according to Lam, is his game intelligence and being able to anticipate how play will develop. 'It is not an accident that he ends up in the right places,' Lam said. 'When you understand the game, you're one step ahead so then you can get to those positions really quickly.' Advertisement As an example, Lam highlights Ibitoye's try against Harlequins at the Stoop earlier this season (see 1m 33sec into video below). By his standards, it was a fairly routine affair, taking Kieran Marmion's pass and running 40 metres untouched, but the simplicity of the finish belies the anticipation of where the space would be. 'He came from the other wing on that score because he could see that the D was coming up on the edge and he started to wander down the front line and then he saw there was no one down the short side,' Lam said. 'We have a call for it and he said that to Kieran and then, bang, he was able to give the dummy. He knew that Gabs was there without looking. Gabs changed his angle as well to get the run-in. That's an example of his ability to know what is going to happen next and put himself in a position to do it.' Lam does not pretend that Ibitoye is the complete package. He would not match the high-ball work of either Freeman or Roebuck. Defensively, he can occasionally look vulnerable, but Lam believes that Ibitoye's failings are put under a greater microscope than his rivals. Advertisement 'He has made mistakes,' Lam said. 'I have seen all those England wingers miss tackles but when they miss tackles no one talks about it. When he misses a tackle, everyone focuses on that rather than the eight or nine that he makes. Same with his high-ball work. You can set the narrative to anything you want if you go searching for examples.' After being named in the Premiership's team of the season, Ibitoye will have a further opportunity to put his name in lights in Friday's Premiership semi-final against Bath at the Rec. Lam believes that should Ibitoye carry over his form into next season then Borthwick would have no choice but to pick him. 'There's no doubt when Steve came in with the England team a couple of years ago that he would have struggled in the way they were playing,' Lam said. 'But the England team now, with the way they have evolved, the generation that are coming through now and the desire to attack, he would really thrive with that. Advertisement 'There's so many good players, but Gabs is something that is slightly different to everyone else. Someone like Tommy Freeman is a class player, but you need a complement to him. Tommy does the basics really well. He might not have the skill-set that Gabs has but he has the basics of chase hard, get up quickly, he's strong, he's powerful, he's tall. If those two played together you would have a great complement.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.

Bristol thrash Quins to book semi-final derby spot

Yahoo

02-06-2025

Business
Yahoo

Bristol thrash Quins to book semi-final derby spot

Gallagher Premiership Bristol (26) 52 Tries: Kloska, Batley, Ravouvou, Mata, Ibitoye (2), Grondona, Janse van Rensburg Cons: MacGinty (6) Harlequins (12) 26 Tries: Murley (2), Dombrandt, Hammond Cons: Benson (3) Advertisement Bristol secured their Premiership semi-final at Bath in style with a superb attacking display in a 12-try epic at Ashton Gate. The Bears needed a win to be sure of a top-four spot and made the perfect start, registering a bonus point inside 24 minutes with close-range scores from George Kloska and Joe Batley and explosive Kalaveti Ravouvou and Viliame Mata tries. Cadan Murley's fine first-half double reduced the gap to a 14-point lead at the break. Gabriel Ibitoye extended the advantage to 31-12 soon after the restart but memories of the 2021 'Bristanbul' comeback by Quins at Ashton Gate loomed large as the visitors notched quickfire tries from Alex Dombrandt and George Hammond to go within five points. Advertisement However, scores from Santiago Grondona and Ibitoye settled the nerves before Benhard Janse van Rensburg brought up the half-century as the Bears booked a trip to their West Country neighbours on Friday night. Blistering start sets the tone for Bears Noah Heward made his first Bears start at full back since January after injury while Pat Lam handed Argentina international lock Pedro Rubiolo his Bears debut. With a semi-final spot out of reach Danny Wilson made three changes to the Quins starting XV as Jamie Benson made his first Premiership start at fly-half while Luke Northmore returned at centre and Nick David started at full back. Advertisement It took just 93 seconds for the hosts to break the deadlock as quick hands from MacGinty sent Ibitoye flying down the left wing and despite some good defence from Quins near their own line, prop George Kloska plunged over near the posts, with MacGinty slotting the extras. The second try arrived inside five mins as lock Joe Batley stretched to touch down over the line after another powerful drive, with MacGinty again converting. A penalty kick into the corner and a deep lineout paved the way for Luke Northmore to cross for Quins after an angled run on 10 minutes but the try was chalked-off for a forward pass from Dombrandt, who was then held-up over the line by Fitz Harding after a bulldozing run straight from the restart. Quins got back in it on 17 minutes when Murley raced onto a clever chip forward from Benson on the 22 to catch a high bouncing ball and plunge over, allowing Benson to add two points from infront of the posts. Advertisement Bristol extended their lead just three minutes later as Harry Randall found space on the right and Fijian flyer Ravouvou raced down the whitewash to acrobatically dive over in the corner for his 11th try of the campaign, though the conversion sailed wide. The onslaught continued and Mata produced a brilliant angled run and bulldozed his way under the posts through some rather static defence for Bristol's fourth try and a bonus point on 24 minutes, with MacGinty notching the conversion to make it 26-7. Bears' 16th try bonus point of the season is a new Premiership record. Batley was denied a second try by another forward pass to the left wing before MacGinty's pass was intercepted by Hammond in midfield and a long ball out wide paved the way for Murley to step inside his man and scorch down the left from inside his own half for his 11th try of the season just after the half-hour, though Benson missed the conversion attempt from out wide. Gabriel Ibitoye beats Jamie Benson to the line and finished as joint top try-scorer with Ollie Hassell-Collins with 13 [Getty Images] Bears battle back after nervy start Six minutes after the turnaround Quins replacement Sean Kerr almost broke away but Bears won back possession and Ravouvou's break down the left and some fine passing across the width of the field paved the way for Ibitoye to stroll into the right corner for his 12th try of the campaign, a new club record, against his former club, though the conversion was unsuccessful. Advertisement Bears nerved started jangling, as memories of the 28-point collapse in the 2021 semi-final against Quins returned as the visitors notched two converted tries in three minutes. Dombrandt reduced the arrears after a slick dummy through the line from Benson created space and Quins added another from close range on 52 minutes after a break from Northmore, with Hammond diving through a crowd to touch down on the line, with Benson's third conversion making it a five-point game. The hosts could breathe again on 58 minutes when Grondona plunged over to end a series of goalline probes, with MacGinty adding the two points, and some lightning hands and feet from MacGinty saw the ball spread to Ibitoye on the left to jink his way to the line for try number 13, the joint most in the league this season, with MacGinty adding the extras from the whitewash to restore the 19-point lead and bring up 1,000 in his Premiership career for Bears and Sale. As Quins wilted in the Bristol sunshine Bears were denied a penalty try for Benson's slap into touch behind the posts, however Janse van Rensburg barged through a gap to dot down behind the posts to bring up the half-century, with MacGinty adding his sixth conversion. Advertisement The hosts saw out the final 10 minutes without further alarm to register their biggest ever win over Harlequins, secure their return to the semi-finals for the first time in four years and book a mouthwatering clash at the Rec on Friday night. 'We know how to beat Bath' Pat Lam, Bristol director of rugby, told BBC Radio Bristol: "I am very proud of this group, this is probably one of the highlights of my time at Bristol Bears. "We know there's areas we can improve on. To be missing stardust players for several months at a time, the squad has really gelled together to get us through the tough times." Advertisement [On the derby date at the Rec on Friday night] "We're excited. Bath have only lost three games this year, and we've beaten them twice. "We've played them 14 times since we've been back in the Premiership, won all of them at Ashton Gate, once at the Principality and we've won more at the Rec than we've lost. "We know how to beat Bath. The challenge is it's now a semi-final. I have to get the game plan right." Quins head coach Danny Wilson said: "We started the game terribly today and it put us in a bit of a hole. "We were back in it at 31-26, but then Bristol capitalised on their opportunities. Advertisement "They are a very, very good side if you let them let rip. It has been a painful end to the season." Bristol: Heward, Ravouvou, Janse van Rensburg, Williams, Ibitoye; MacGinty, Randall; Thomas, Oghre, Kloska, Rubiolo, Batley, Grondona, Harding, Mata. Replacements: Thacker, Woolmore, Lahiff, Owen, Luatua, Marmion, Byrne, Bates. Harlequins: David; Isgro, Beard, Northmore, Murley; Benson, Porter; Baxter, Walker, Lamositele, J Green, Hammond, Kenningham, Evans, Dombrandt. Replacements: Jibulu, Els, Streeter, Launchbury, Lawday, Murray, Kerr, Halfpenny. Referee: Luke Pearce

BBC News

31-05-2025

General
BBC News

Bristol thrash Quins to book semi-final derby spot

Steward steers Leicester to victory at Bristol to boost title push

Yahoo

20-04-2025

Sport
Yahoo

Steward steers Leicester to victory at Bristol to boost title push

Freddie Steward secures the try bonus point for Leicester. Photograph: Steven Paston/PA In theory it was a day for Bristol to consolidate second place and reaffirm their Premiership title credentials. The sun shone, the pitch was hard and fast and the free-scoring Bears welcomed back the inspirational wing, Gabriel Ibitoye, after a four-month injury absence. In reality, however, what materialised was a largely dominant victory for Leicester that saw them overhaul Bristol and take second place, on points difference, with four matches remaining. Michael Cheika's one-year assignment as Tigers coach will soon be over, but the possibility of him departing a Premiership champion cannot be discounted. Advertisement Related: Gloucester fans ruffle feathers in boisterous start for experiment The memory of last December's return fixture had loomed over the buildup, when Pat Lam's side stuck 54 points on their opponents at Welford Road. 'We realise there will be a bit of vengeance coming back at us,' Lam told TNT Sports before kick-off. He was right. The Tigers were hurt by that festive humiliation, no doubt, but might also have reminded themselves the Bears were thrashed 38-0 at home by Sale a week later, the night that Ibitoye was injured. Here, too, Bristol seamlessly switched from the sublime to ridiculous. Adam Radwan's try had put the visitors in front when Bristol's Kalaveti Ravouvou made a burst into their 22 on 11 minutes. He looked isolated after being dragged down, but the covering Tigers defenders could not have imagined the vision and accuracy of a frankly ludicrous one-handed offload promptly arrowed by Ravouvou to Ibitoye, who lurked near the touchline. The wing made the finish look easy. Soon came the ridiculous. With Bristol's attack apparently starting to tick, Ibitoye's overly ambitious pass drifted into the grateful hands of an onrushing Ollie Hassell-Collins, near halfway, and the wing was gifted a clear run to the line. Jack van Poortvliet soon scored a third try for Leicester and when Handré Pollard added a penalty to his two conversions, it added up to a 22-5 half-time lead for Cheika's side. Not the script Lam had in mind. The only downside for Leicester was losing Joe Heyes to the sin-bin for an accidental high shot on Fitz Harding. Advertisement Still, this being Bristol, it felt unlikely that the Tigers would serenely close out the win. Ravouvou was duly sent scorching in under the posts six minutes after the break and when AJ MacGinty converted, the Bears were back to within 10. Bristol's attacking potency remained a worry but when the Bears fluffed a defensive lineout on 63 minutes, the full-back Freddie Steward applied a classy finish, securing a try bonus point in the process. Game over? Not a bit of it. Harry Randall's sniping effort for Bristol again made it a 10-point game and their offloading excellence continually asked questions of a tiring Tigers rearguard. Randall would touch down again with six minutes left, after being hauled down near the posts by Leicester's replacement scrum-half Ben Youngs, but had knocked on after getting back to his feet. A converted try then would have reduced their arrears to three points with a couple of minutes to play. It wasn't to be and Cameron Henderson even smashed over for a fifth Leicester try, converted by Jamie Shillcock with the last kick. Considering Bristol's tricky looking run-in – Northampton and Sale away, Bath and Quins at home – if they don't improve on this showing their season could go south quickly. Fresh disappointment may loom for the Bears' faithful fans, while Cheika's men appear to be moving through the gears.

The Guardian

20-04-2025

Sport
The Guardian

Steward steers Leicester to victory at Bristol to boost title push

In theory it was a day for Bristol to consolidate second place and reaffirm their Premiership title credentials. The sun shone, the pitch was hard and fast and the free-scoring Bears welcomed back the inspirational wing, Gabriel Ibitoye, after a four-month injury absence. In reality, however, what materialised was a largely dominant victory for Leicester that saw them overhaul Bristol and take second place, on points difference, with four matches remaining. Michael Cheika's one-year assignment as Tigers coach will soon be over, but the possibility of him departing a Premiership champion cannot be discounted. The memory of last December's return fixture had loomed over the buildup, when Pat Lam's side stuck 54 points on their opponents at Welford Road. 'We realise there will be a bit of vengeance coming back at us,' Lam told TNT Sports before kick-off. He was right. The Tigers were hurt by that festive humiliation, no doubt, but might also have reminded themselves the Bears were thrashed 38-0 at home by Sale a week later, the night that Ibitoye was injured. Here, too, Bristol seamlessly switched from the sublime to ridiculous. Adam Radwan's try had put the visitors in front when Bristol's Kalaveti Ravouvou made a burst into their 22 on 11 minutes. He looked isolated after being dragged down, but the covering Tigers defenders could not have imagined the vision and accuracy of a frankly ludicrous one-handed offload promptly arrowed by Ravouvou to Ibitoye, who lurked near the touchline. The wing made the finish look easy. Soon came the ridiculous. With Bristol's attack apparenlty starting to tick, Ibitoye's overly ambitious pass drifted into the grateful hands of an onrushing Ollie Hassell-Collins, near halfway, and the wing was gifted a clear run to the line. Jack van Poortvliet soon scored a third try for Leicester and when Handré Pollard added a penalty to his two conversions, it added up to a 22-5 half-time lead for Cheika's side. Not the script Lam had in mind. The only downside for Leicester was losing Joe Heyes to the sin-bin for an accidental high shot on Fitz Harding. Still, this being Bristol, it felt unlikely that the Tigers would serenely close out the win. Ravouvou was duly sent scorching in under the posts six minutes after the break and when AJ MacGinty converted, the Bears were back to within 10. Bristol's attacking potency remained a worry but when the Bears fluffed a defensive lineout on 63 minutes, the full-back Freddie Steward applied a classy finish, securing a try bonus point in the process. Game over? Not a bit of it. Harry Randall's sniping effort for Bristol again made it a 10-point game and their offloading excellence continually asked questions of a tiring Tigers rearguard. Sign up to The Breakdown The latest rugby union news and analysis, plus all the week's action reviewed after newsletter promotion Randall would touch down again with six minutes left, after being hauled down near the posts by Leicester's replacement scrum-half Ben Youngs, but had knocked on after getting back to his feet. A converted try then would have reduced their arrears to three points with a couple of minutes to play. It wasn't to be and Cameron Henderson even smashed over for a fifth Leicester try, converted by Jamie Shillcock with the last kick. Considering Bristol's tricky looking run-in – Northampton and Sale away, Bath and Quins at home – if they don't improve on this showing their season could go south quickly. Fresh disappointment may loom for the Bears faithful fans, while Cheika's men appear to be moving through the gears.

Latest news with #Ibitoye

Gabriel Ibitoye is the most divisive player in English rugby

Bristol thrash Quins to book semi-final derby spot

Bristol thrash Quins to book semi-final derby spot

Steward steers Leicester to victory at Bristol to boost title push

Steward steers Leicester to victory at Bristol to boost title push

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