Team news: Bath Rugby vs Bristol Bears - GP R18

Thursday, February 23rd 2023

Sam Jeffries makes his long-awaited return from injury when Bristol Bears take on West Country rivals Bath at The Rec on Friday night (7.45pm KO).

Sam Jeffries and Charles Piutau return from injury
Harry Randall captains the side for the first time
Bears targeting back-to-back Premiership wins

The flanker is back in action for the first time since September, after injuring his hamstring in the round two victory over Wasps.

Charles Piutau also returns from a period on the sidelines, joining Siva Naulago and Gabriel Ibitoye in a potent back three.

Joe Joyce is another to return from injury, replacing the absent Joe Batley in the second row. The Bristolian partners Chris Vui, who makes his 100th competitive start for the Bears, in the engine room.

Yann Thomas is named at loosehead for the derby clash, with scrum-half Harry Randall captaining the side for the first time.

Sam Bedlow returns from injury to take his place among the system players.

Bristol Bears team to face Bath at The Recreation Ground on Friday night (7.45pm KO):

15. Charles Piutau (72 apps), 14. Siva Naulago (20 apps), 13. Semi Radradra (47 apps), 12. James Williams (8 apps), 11.Gabriel Ibitoye (10 apps), 10. AJ MacGinty (17 apps), 9. Harry Randall (c) (94 apps); 1. Yann Thomas (103 apps), 2. Harry Thacker (93 apps), 3. Max Lahiff (60 apps), 4. Joe Joyce (161 apps), 5. Chris Vui (110 apps), 6. Sam Jeffries (56 apps), 7. Fitz Harding (44 apps), 8. Magnus Bradbury (15 apps).

System players: 16. Bryan Byrne (41 apps), 17. Jake Woolmore (126 apps), 18. George Kloska (21 apps), 19. Jake Heenan (87 apps), 20. Sam Lewis (8 apps), 21. Andy Uren (152 apps), 22. Sam Bedlow (58 apps), 23. Ioan Lloyd (72 apps).

Unavailable: Will Capon, Ellis Genge, Kyle Sinckler, Joe Batley, John Hawkins, Ed Holmes, Steven Luatua, Will Porter, Callum Sheedy, Joe Jenkins, Piers O’Conor, Jack Bates, Deago Bailey.