Dave Ward: Bristol head coach says team already 'written off' by league rivals
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Fourth-placed Bristol are nine points behind Gloucester-Hartpury in the Premiership Women's Rugby table
Bristol's Premiership Women's Rugby campaign has been "disappointing" so far says head coach Dave Ward, with rivals already "writing them off".
The Bears are fourth in the table, nine points behind third-placed Gloucester-Hartpury, with three wins and three losses in their six games.
They travel to Welford Road on Saturday to play Leicester before games against Harlequins, Exeter and Gloucester.
"We've still got time to do something about it," Ward told BBC Radio Bristol.
"We've lost to the big three - Exeter, Gloucester, Saracens. They've kind of separated themselves within the league and we're the head of the chasing pack along with Quins, Loughborough, Sale and I think Trailfinders would shout their name in there as well.
"When we come to those big games, of which we've got three pretty quickly, we've got to make sure we're ready.
"Disappointing, but all is not lost and as the conditions firm up and it gets a bit warmer on the back end of February as well it should suit the way we play and we should go out there and play some decent rugby."
Bristol finished third in 2021-22 and fourth in the table last season to qualify for the play-offs but have never reached the Premiership final.
Ward brought in eight new players in the summer in a bid to bolster his squad and said the players are still getting used to playing together.
"You're talking about eight, nine changes in key positions. I think the girls have adapted brilliantly and we're getting there. We're far from the finished article, we know that," Ward said.
"Other teams have written us off a little bit and that's fine as well, I understand that, they're talking about a three-team league - fine.
"For us it means we can go under the radar a bit and go back to the old coaching cliche of concentrating on ourselves.
"I think we probably paid a little bit too much respect to the opposition sometimes, which is my fault, in terms of trying to nullify them rather than bringing our own strengths.
"The fact we've got no losing bonus points is a big area of concern for me. That's disappointing definitely."
Off the pitch, however, Ward said the club are taking steps forward.
They played their first Friday night match earlier this season, attracting 1,000 fans for the 12-0 loss to Gloucester-Hartpury, and have another Friday night match on 24 February against Loughborough at Ashton Gate.
"Although it's been disappointing on the pitch, off the pitch we've been making great strides," Ward added.