Bristol Bears bring back snubbed England duo for visit of Leicester

Pat Lam has recalled Gabriel Oghre and George Kloska to his Bristol Bears side for their annual Remembrance fixture against Leicester Tigers at Ashton Gate on Friday night.

Oghre and Kloska are back from injuries they suffered in the defeat to Saracens, their only reverse they have suffered in the Gallagher Prem so far this season, and they will replace Tomas Gwilliam and Lovejoy Chawatama respectively.

Lam keeps the same back seven as in the 20-7 win over Exeter Chiefs last weekend, with the only other change coming at the back of the pack, where Georgian star Luka Ivanishvili starts at No.8 in place of Benjamin Grondona.

Back rower Steven Luatua, who took a nasty hit to the mouth against the Chiefs, keeps his place, as Lam told his midweek media call. England centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg is still missing after suffering two significant concussions this year.

Van Rensburg, who will return for the next PREM game at Bath in December, heads an injury list that also includes Max Lahiff, Harry Thacker, Ethan Staddon, Viliame Mata, Khalik Kareem, Max Clark, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Noah Heward, Josh Carrington.

Gallagher Premiership

P

W

L

D

PF

PA

PD

BP T

BP-7

BP

Total

1

Gloucester

4

3

1

0

16

2

Leicester

4

3

1

0

16

3

Bristol

4

3

1

0

14

4

Northampton

4

2

2

0

11

5

Saracens

4

2

2

0

11

6

Bath

4

2

2

0

11

7

Sale

4

2

2

0

9

8

Newcastle

4

1

3

0

8

9

Exeter Chiefs

4

1

3

0

8

10

Harlequins

4

1

3

0

7

Lam knows the Tigers, who beat reigning PREM champions Northampton Saints 28-7 in their East Midlands derby last weekend, will be tough opposition, but the reward for the winners is at least top of the table overnight.

“We’ve given ourselves an opportunity. Both clubs will be going all out for a win because the winner finishes Friday night at the top of the table.

“It’s a great reward for the players, but saying that Leicester were outstanding last week as well, we understand the challenge that we face against them. So it’s going to be a great game,” he said.

Bristol Bears: A. Tom Jordan (23 apps), B. Louis Rees-Zammit (19 apps), C. Matias Moroni (17 apps), D. James Williams (81 apps), E. Gabriel Ibitoye (78 apps), F. AJ MacGinty (62 apps), G. Harry Randall (171 apps); H. Ellis Genge (80 apps), I. Gabriel Oghre (66 apps), J. George Kloska (88 apps), K. Pedro Rubiolo (18 apps), L. Joe Batley (101 apps), M. Steven Luatua, N. (163 apps). O. Fitz Harding (c) (127 apps), N. Luka Ivanishvili (18 apps).

Replacements: P. Tomas Gwilliam (24 apps), Q. Jake Woolmore (193 apps), R. Lovejoy Chawatama (30 apps), S. Josh Caulfield (38 apps), T. Joe Owen (71 apps), U. Kieran Marmion (81 apps), V. Jack Bates (67 apps), W. Ben Grondona (42 apps).