Bristol Bears were put through their paces by Connacht at the High Performance CentreBristol Bears’ Benhard Janse van Rensburg (Photo by Bob Bradford – CameraSport via Getty Images)

Bristol Bears were given a timely reminder of the defensive work still required before the fast-approaching Gallagher PREM season arrives after they were beaten 54 -12 by Connacht in a behind-closed-doors game at the English club’s High Performance Centre last Friday.

While Bristol have kept the details of the contest under wraps, the United Rugby Championship side have posted a highlights video as their side – skippered by former Bears favourite Joe Joyce – ran in nine tries in head coach Stuart Lancaster’s first game in charge.

The Bears, who also ran out against Champ Rugby side Hartpury a week earlier in another behind-closed-doors fixture, were exploited around the edge of the ruck for the first three scores by the Irish side, with Shamus Hurley-Langton dummying and diving over before Sean Jansen was latched onto and driven over the line. A smart offload after a carry around the edge of the breakdown, then allowed Byron Ralston to dot down under the sticks.

Having been tendorised in the tight, quick hands and a long miss-pass then put winger Shane Jennings down the left flank to finish in the corner.

In the second half, against a less experienced Bristol side, a wrap-around looping move then created an overlap to allow former Bears winger Chay Mullins to finish.

Jansen crossed for his second of the game with a powerful pick and go before Mullins finished a 50m backs move from the back of an advancing scrum, stepping in off his left foot to round the final defender and score under the posts.

Jansen completed his hat-trick, again from close range, before Dylan Tierney-Martin dotted down at the back of a well-formed driving maul.

While the Bears were without their international contingent for the game, there were plenty of highly experienced Premiership players on display in the match including the likes of Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Gabriel Ibitoye, Steven Luatua, Joe Batley and Fitz Harding.

After the defeat at home, the Bears have flown out to Portugal for a warm-weather training camp before kicking off their Prem Rugby Cup campaign away at Sale Sharks on September 13.