HEWARD MAKES RETURN AS BEARS TAKE ON ARGENTINA XV
Noah Heward makes his return from injury when Bristol Bears take on Argentina XV in an exhibition clash at Ashton Gate on Friday night (7.45pm KO).
The full back, who has recovered from an achilles injury sustained during pre-season, starts in the back three against the young Pumas in BS3.
Pat Lam selects 12 Academy players in his matchday squad and eight in the starting XV, including three members of last season’s U18 side, in Victor Worsnip, Evan Morris and Ollie Harris.
Academy duo Aidan Boshoff and Evan Morris start on the wing, while in the midfield, Worsnip partners Jack Bates after making his senior debut for the club in last week’s PREM Rugby Cup match.
Mat Protheroe switches to fly-half with captain Sam Wolstenholme at scrum-half, while in the pack, Bristolian Academy player Paddy Pearce is named at number eight and Academy hooker Tomas Gwilliam also starts under the Friday night lights.
On the bench, Pat Lam names seven Academy players with back three player Ollie Harris and back row forward John Edwards set for their senior debuts, and Will Ramply making his first appearance of the season.
Former Northampton Saints hooker Nathan Langdon is named on the bench after joining on a short-term deal from Sale FC as injury cover.
Bristol Bears team to play Argentina XV at Ashton Gate on Friday night (7.45pm KO):
15. Noah Heward (28 apps), 14. Evan Morris (2 apps), 13. Jack Bates (56 apps), 12. Victor Worsnip (1 app), 11. Aidan Boshoff (7 apps), 10. Mat Protheroe (36 apps), 9. Sam Wolstenholme (c) (10 apps); 1. Sam Grahamslaw (18 apps), 2. Tomas Gwilliam (16 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).
System players: 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).
Unavailable: Ellis Genge, Will Capon, Harry Thacker, Gabriel Oghre, George Kloska, Max Lahiff, Pedro Rubiolo, James Dun, Joe Batley, George Taylor, Steven Luatua, Fitz Harding, Santiago Grondona, Kofi Cripps, Ben Grondona, Viliame Mata, Harry Randall, Max Pepper, AJ MacGinty, Sam Worsley, Tom Jordan, James Williams, Toby Baker, Joe Jenkins, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Gabriel Ibitoye, Louis Rees-Zammit, Josh Carrington, Rich Lane, Benjamin Elizalde.
