International trio to play final game for Bristol

A trio of internationals are set for their final Bristol Bears bow after being named in the squad that is set to play Sale this weekend in the final round of the Gallagher Premiership regular season.

John Afoa, Alapati Leiua and Nathan Hughes will make their last outings for the club before departing at the end of the season.

All three at set to depart the club following a difficult season for Pat Lam’s side, with a named number of players having to be cut from the books following a salary cap administration error behind closed doors.

James O’Connor is brilliantly open about his life & career | RugbyPass Offload | Episode 36

James O’Connor joins the lads this week to walk us through his phenomenal and often misunderstood career. He talks to us about being the youngest player to line out in Super Rugby and for the Wallabies, struggling with alcohol, fame and partying, as well as playing in London, Manchester and Toulon before returning to Australia. One of the most talented players of his generation, he gives us an incredible insight into the highs and lows of his career so far and what his plans are next. Max and Ryan also cover off the Champions Challenge Cup Finals and the jubilant scenes in La Rochelle

James O’Connor is brilliantly open about his life & career | RugbyPass Offload | Episode 36

James O’Connor joins the lads this week to walk us through his phenomenal and often misunderstood career. He talks to us about being the youngest player to line out in Super Rugby and for the Wallabies, struggling with alcohol, fame and partying, as well as playing in London, Manchester and Toulon before returning to Australia. One of the most talented players of his generation, he gives us an incredible insight into the highs and lows of his career so far and what his plans are next. Max and Ryan also cover off the Champions Challenge Cup Finals and the jubilant scenes in La Rochelle

Afoa and Leiua – who leave for RC Vannes in the ProD2 – start, while Hughes. who is set to join Clermont, is named on the bench for the game at the AJ Bell Stadium.

Elsewhere Jack Bates comes into the back line, while Jake Kerr, John Hawkins and Dan Thomas earn starts in the pack for the Sale Sharks encounter.

Kick-off is at 3pm.

BRISTOL BEARS: 15. Charles Piutau (63 apps), 14. Luke Morahan (97 apps), 13. Jack Bates (21 apps), 12. Alapati Leiua (102 apps), 11. Toby Fricker (28 apps); 10. Callum Sheedy (131 apps), 9. Harry Randall (84 apps); 1. Jake Woolmore (107 apps), 2. Jake Kerr (20 apps), 3. John Afoa (87 apps), 4. John Hawkins (35 apps), 5. Chris Vui (92 apps), 6. Steven Luatua (c) (98 apps), 7. Dan Thomas (109 apps), 8. Sam Jeffries (53 apps).

REPLACEMENTS: 16. Bryan Byrne (31 apps), 17. Jono Benz-Salomon (6 apps), 18. George Kloska (15 apps), 19. Ed Holmes (84 apps), 20. Nathan Hughes (53 apps), 21. Andy Uren (134 apps), 22. Ioan Lloyd (61 apps), 23. Henry Purdy (40 apps).