INTERNATIONAL QUARTET RETURN TO STARTING XV FOR SHARKS SHOWDOWN

Pat Lam makes nine changes to his matchday 23 for the visit of Sale Sharks to Ashton Gate on Friday night (7.45pm KO, live on TNT Sports).

The Director of Rugby welcomes back a quartet of internationals to his starting XV with two more named among the replacements for the Gallagher PREM round nine clash.

Argentina international Santiago Grondona is named on the blindside in the absence of the suspended Joe Batley, with Joe Owen switching to second row as one of six changes from the side that beat Newcastle Red Bulls last time out.

Ellis Genge – who has been shortlisted for Gallagher Player of the Month for December – starts at loosehead, with England’s Gabriel Oghre and Argentina’s Pedro Rubiolo also back in the starting XV after their impact from the bench against Newcastle. Kieran Marmion and Benjamin Grondona are also recalled to the matchday squad.

In the backline, Benhard Janse van Rensburg comes back into the midfield, with Academy wing Aidan Boshoff also returning.

Wales speedster Louis Rees-Zammit, who this week signed a new long-term deal with the club, continues at full back after a blistering two-try display in round eight.

Academy duo Sam Worsley and George Taylor are named among the replacements.

Bristol Bears team to face Sale Sharks at Ashton Gate on Friday night in Gallagher PREM round nine (7.45pm KO, live on TNT Sports):

15. Louis Rees-Zammit (8 apps), 14. Aidan Boshoff (13 apps), 13. Benhard Janse van Rensburg (60 apps), 12. James Williams (62 apps), 11. Kalaveti Ravouvou (42 apps), 10. Tom Jordan (9 apps), 9. Harry Randall (150 apps); 1. Ellis Genge (67 apps), 2. Gabriel Oghre (53 apps), 3. Lovejoy Chawatama (20 apps), 4. Pedro Rubiolo (10 apps), 5. Joe Owen (48 apps), 6. Santiago Grondona (22 apps), 7. Fitz Harding (c) (108 apps), 8. Viliame Mata (26 apps).

System players: 16. Harry Thacker (145 apps), 17. Max Lahiff (115 apps), 18. George Kloska (72 apps), 19. George Taylor (7 apps), 20. Benjamin Grondona (30 apps), 21. Kieran Marmion (62 apps), 22. Sam Worsley (28 apps), 23. Noah Heward (32 apps).

Unavailable: Will Capon, Jake Woolmore, James Dun, Joe Batley, Paddy Pearce, Steven Luatua, Kofi Cripps, AJ MacGinty, Toby Baker, Joe Jenkins, Jack Bates, Gabriel Ibitoye.