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.
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).
Latest Comments
Lawrence/Slade is a settled combination - Slade is just not in great form atm, and given his age is unlikely to be at his best in 2027.
I think for the 6N, Lawrence/Slade is likely the best combo, but in the summer when Lawrence goes to the Lions we need to try out a young 12 or two with a view to replacing Slade long term.
Go to commentsNo disrespect to Wales intended, but Australia played the equivalent of a poor club team.
Go to comments