BRISTOL BEARS buzzing ahead of opening test at Wasps

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Created on Sunday, 22 November 2020 08:24

Last Updated on Sunday, 22 November 2020 09:16

Published on Sunday, 22 November 2020 08:24

Written by SWSN rugby desk

Siale Piutau will skipper Bristol in today's Premiership Rugby opener as Pat Lam's Bears go in search of a first at the Ricoh Arena in the competition (1300ko).

Wasps have won their last 10 Premiership Rugby fixtures against Bristol and are unbeaten in their last 14 such encounters since the Bears’ 26-21 victory at Memorial Stadium in September 2006.

With Callum Sheedy, Max Malins and Ioan Lloyd all away on international duty, Sam Bedlow makes his first start at fly half in the Premiership, while Piers O’Conor switches to full back.

Lam said: "For us, it’s about moving on to the next moment of inspiration – what we do daily here and what we can do throughout the whole season, and that’s why we’re excited to start again, and you couldn’t ask for a tougher game than Wasps away.

"We have set our goals for the campaign and have absolute clarity about what we want to achieve and what we expect of ourselves. That long road begins at the Ricoh and we can’t wait to get started."

Teenage Academy fly half Tom Wilstead is listed among the replacements as Lam continues to give opportunities to homegrown youngsters. Wilstead is 19 years old. 

Bristol Bears starting 15 Piers O’Conor 14 Niyi Adeolokun 13 Alapati Leiua 12 Siale Piutau (capt) 11 Henry Purdy 10 Sam Bedlow 9 Harry Randall 1. Yann Thomas 2 Bryan Byrne 3 John Afoa 4 Ed Holmes 5 Joe Joyce 6 Chris Vui 7 Dan Thomas 8 Jake Heenan

Ready on the replacements bench 16 Will Capon 17 Jake Woolmore 18 Jake Armstrong 19 John Hawkins 20 James Dun 21 Tom Kessell 22 Tom Wilstead 23 Toby Fricker

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