Bears face 'huge ask' in next two games - Ward

Dave Ward's Bristol Bears are unbeaten in their past three Premiership Women's Rugby games

Bristol Bears face a "huge ask" to try and take maximum points from games against Sale Sharks and Saracens before Christmas, according to head coach Dave Ward.

The Bears' most recent Premiership Women's Rugby match against Exeter Chiefs was cancelled last Saturday due to Storm Darragh.

The team have won their past three league games - including against reigning champions Gloucester-Hartpury - but remain fifth in the table with a game in hand on three of the four teams above them.

"In a weird way we just have to look at it as a massive positive - we got a break when most teams haven't. From that perspective we can now throw everything we've got into seven days of Sale into Saracens," Ward told BBC Radio Bristol.

"If we can come out with anything like eight, nine, or 10 points from those two games we've got ourselves into an amazing position in the new year.

"It's a huge ask but it's one were really looking forward to."

Ward - who signed a contract extension with the club at the end of November until 2026 - said the fixture against Exeter was "likely" to be rearranged for 8 February.

It means the Bears potentially face seven consecutive weeks of matches before the regular season games conclude on 22 February.

"That weekend is the next available weekend for both teams," Ward said.

"It just means we have seven games off the back of the new year to look forward to.

"If there's any more games that fall foul of the weather there could be midweek games - we knew this season was always going to be like this."