STEVEN LUATUA RETURNS FOR BEARS’ TRIP TO LEICESTER
Steven Luatua returns to action as Bristol Bears travel to face Leicester Tigers in Gallagher PREM Round 11 at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Sunday (3pm KO, live on TNT Sports).
The Bears centurion starts in the back row alongside captain Fitz Harding and number eight Viliame Mata.
In the second row, Bristolian James Dun partners Joe Owen, while Jake Woolmore returns in the front row after recovering from the fractured jaw he sustained against Harlequins in December.
Centurion Harry Randall is named at scrum half, linking up with Academy fly-half Sam Worsley. James Williams and Benhard Janse van Rensburg form the midfield partnership.
In the back three, Gabriel Ibitoye makes his first PREM start since the opening round meeting with Leicester. Noah Heward starts at full back, with Kalaveti Ravouvou completing the starting XV.
Among the replacements are Academy trio Tomas Gwilliam, George Taylor and Aidan Boshoff, who returns to the matchday squad, alongside Argentina internationals Santiago and Matias Moroni.
Bristol Bears team to face Leicester Tigers at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Sunday (3pm KO, live on TNT Sports):
15. Noah Heward (36 apps), 14. Kalaveti Ravouvou (47 apps), 13. Benhard Janse van Rensburg (65 apps), 12. James Williams (68 apps), 11. Gabriel Ibitoye (66 apps), 10. Sam Worsley (35 apps), 9. Harry Randall (156 apps); 1. Jake Woolmore (179 apps), 2. Gabriel Oghre (58 apps), 3. George Kloska (77 apps), 4. James Dun, 5. Joe Owen (61 apps), 6. Steven Luatua (157 apps), 7. Fitz Harding (c) (113 apps), 8. Viliame Mata (31 apps).
System players: 16. Tomas Gwilliam (13 apps), 17. Max Lahiff (122 apps), 18. Lovejoy Chawatama (21 apps), 19. George Taylor (11 apps), 20. Santiago Grondona (27 apps), 21. Kieran Marmion (67 apps), 22. Matias Moroni (7 apps), 23. Aidan Boshoff (13 apps).
Unavailable: Harry Thacker, Ellis Genge, Paddy Pearce, Pedro Rubiolo, Joe Batley, Kenzie Jenkins, Kofi Cripps, AJ MacGinty, Tom Jordan, Jack Bates, Josh Carrington, Rich Lane, Louis Rees-Zammit, Evan Morris.
