Bristol Bears host an Argentina XV on Friday night in an exhibition game at Ashton Gate
09:41, 07 Nov 2025
Joe Owen of Bristol Bears is tackled by Daniel du Preez of Sale Sharks (Photo by Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images)
Bristol Bears take on an Argentina XV at Ashton Gate on Friday night looking to create a night that will live long in the memory.
The Bears have made taking on international touring teams something of a tradition in recent years, beating a South Africa XV 26-18 back in 2022 before drawing 10-10 against an Australia XV in 2024, but face a stern test this weekend with so many players unavailable through injury and international call-ups.
READ MORE: Bristol Bears vs Argentina XV LIVE: Play-by-play updates from Ashton Gate
Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam said: “It is another wonderful opportunity to play international opposition, and the relationship with Bristol and Argentina is huge [with five Argentina players currently at the Bears] and it will continue. So it’s a historic game for the club. I think they’re great. The boys talk about a chance to go against international opposition.
“I think obviously the injury situation and where we’re at in the season, the guys that’ll get the chance to go out there, and Noah Heward in particular, coming back from injury, are buzzing. They’re excited by this chance to go out, play number one on Ashton Gate, number two against an international touring side.
“We 100 percent want to go and win the game, but there’s a process of doing that and that’s the challenge.”
Here are all the ways you can follow all the action this weekend…
When is the game?
Bristol Bears vs Argentina XV is being played on Friday, November 7 at Ashton Gate Stadium.
What time is kick-off?
The kick-off time is at 7.45pm.
Is the game on TV or being streamed?
No. Sadly the match is not being shown by any broadcaster and is not being streamed online either.
Highlights are expected to be made available after the match and will be shared in our live blog.
How else can I follow the game?
If you are not going to be inside the stadium, and even if you are, BristolLive will be live blogging the match bringing you all the build-up, team news, live play-by-play match updates, reaction, stats, analysis, interviews and highlights from inside the ground.
Will there be live radio commentary of the match?
BBC Radio Bristol and will also be providing live commentary of the game.
What’s the team news?
Bristol Bears: 15. Noah Heward (28 apps), 14. Evan Morris (2 apps), 13. Jack Bates (56 apps), 12. Victor Wornsip (1 app), 11. Aidan Boshoff (7 apps), 10. Mat Protheroe (36 apps), 9. Sam Wolstenholme (c) (10 apps); 1. Sam Grahamslaw (18 apps), 2. Gabriel Oghre (49 apps), 3. Lovejoy Chawatama (13 apps), 4. Ethan Surrey (3 apps), 5. Steele Barker (6 apps), 6. Joe Owen (42 apps), 7. Kenzie Jenkins (6 apps), 8. Paddy Pearce (16 apps).
Replacements: 16. Nathan Langdon (debut), 17. Louie Trevett (5 apps), 18. Jimmy Halliwell (14 apps), 19. Will Ramply (1 app), 20. John Edwards (debut), 21. Ellis Bevan (1 app), 22. Raff Weston (1 app), 23. Ollie Harris (debut).
Argentina XV: 15 Tobias Wade, 14 Santiago Pernas, 13 Agustín Fraga, 12 Faustino Sánchez Valarolo, 11 Mateo Soler, 10 Julián Hernández, 9 Alejo Sugasti, 1 Rafael Garrido, 2 Leonel Oviedo, 3 Francisco Moreno, 4 Lorenzo Collidium, 5 Federico Albrisi, 6 Nicolás D’Amorim, 7 Facundo Cardozo, 8 Juan Cruz Pérez Rachel (capt).
Replacements: Matías Medrano, 17 Diego Correa, 18 Octavio Filippa, 19 Lautaro Simes, 20 Juan Pedro Bernasconi, 21 Estanislao Pregot, 22 Bautista Farise. 23 Tomas Medina.
Who are the officials?
Referee: Sara Cox
Assistant referees Harry Walbaum & Jonathan Healy
