BEARS NAME EXPERIENCED SIDE FOR FINAL CUP CLASH BEFORE PREM RETURN

Pat Lam names an experienced side to take on Sale Sharks at Ashton Gate in round eight of the PREM Rugby Cup, in the Bears’ final outing before the Gallagher PREM Run-In kicks off next month (3pm KO).

The Director of Rugby welcomes back a host of senior players as preparation ramps up for the return of the PREM, with skipper Fitz Harding starting at openside and Benhard Janse van Rensburg returning in midfield.

Gabriel Oghre joins Max Lahiff and Bristolian George Kloska in an all-English front row, with Joe Batley packing down alongside Academy lock George Taylor in the engine room.

The Argentinian duo of Santiago Grondona and Benjamin Elizalde are all included in the matchday squad, as are Fijians Kalaveti Ravouvou and Viliame Mata.

Bristolian Jack Bates partners Janse van Rensburg in the midfield, with James Williams earning a start at fly half, where he partners Harry Randall. Rich Lane and Gabriel Ibitoye join Ravouvou in a dynamite back three.

Academy pair Jimmy Halliwell and Sam Worsley are named among the replacements.

Bristol Bears team to face Sale Sharks in the PREM Rugby Cup on Saturday (3pm KO):

15. Rich Lane (65 apps), 14. Kalaveti Ravouvou (46 apps), 13. Jack Bates (61 apps), 12. Benhard Janse van Rensburg (64 apps), 11. Gabriel Ibitoye (65 apps), 10. James Williams (67 apps), 9. Harry Randall (155 apps); 1. Max Lahiff (121 apps), 2. Gabriel Oghre (57 apps), 3. George Kloska (76 apps), 4. George⁠ ⁠⁠Taylor (10 apps), 5. Joe Batley (89 apps), 6. Santiago Grondona (26 apps), 7. Fitz Harding (c) (112 apps), 8. Viliame Mata (30 apps).

System players: 16. Harry⁠ ⁠⁠Thacker (151 apps), 17. Sam⁠ ⁠⁠Grahamslaw (23 apps), 18. Jimmy⁠ ⁠⁠Halliwell (23 apps), 19. James Dun (60 apps), 20. Joe⁠ ⁠⁠Owen (55 apps), 21. Kieran⁠ ⁠⁠Marmion (66 apps), 22. Sam⁠ ⁠⁠Worsley (34 apps), 23. Benjamin⁠ ⁠⁠Elizalde (26 apps).

Unavailable: Will Capon, Ellis Genge, Jake Woolmore, Lovejoy Chawatama, Paddy Pearce, Kenzie Jenkins, Steven Luatua, Kofi Cripps, AJ MacGinty, Tom Jordan, Toby Baker, Victor Worsnip, Aidan Boshoff, Josh Carrington, Noah Heward, Louis Rees-Zammit, Evan Morris.