Bristol Bears announce their team to face the Bulls at Loftus
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BRISTOLIAN GEORGE KLOSKA RETURNS TO STARTING XV TO FACE VODACOM BULLS IN PRETORIA
George Kloska returns to the starting XV for Bristol Bears’ Investec Champions Cup round three clash with Vodacom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday (1pm KO GMT, live on Premier Sports).
The Bristolian is named at tighthead for the clash with the South Africans, as Pat Lam’s side go in search of a third successive Investec Champions Cup win at the altitude and heat of Pretoria. Max Lahiff packs down at loosehead with Joe Batley returning from suspension to partner Argentina’s Pedro Rubiolo in the second row.
Louis Rees-Zammit is unavailable as he continues through the GRTP process, so Rich Lane comes in at full-back to make his first start of the season, having returned from injury off the bench against Newcastle Falcons a fortnight ago.
Kieran Marmion starts at scrum half, with international trio Ellis Genge, Harry Randall and Matias Moroni set to make an impact off the bench in Pretoria.
Joe Owen could make his 50th appearance for the club from the bench, while Academy duo Jimmy Halliwell and Sam Worsley are also selected in the matchday 23.
Bristol Bears team to face Vodacom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday (1pm KO GMT):
15. Rich Lane (61 apps), 14. Noah Heward (33 apps), 13. Benhard Janse van Rensburg (61 apps), 12. James Williams (63 apps), 11. Kalaveti Ravouvou (43 apps), 10. Tom Jordan (10 apps), 9. Kieran Marmion (63 apps); 1. Max Lahiff (116 apps), 2. Gabriel Oghre (54 apps), 3. George Kloska (73 apps), 4. Pedro Rubiolo (11 apps), 5. Joe Batley (86 apps), 6. Santiago Grondona (23 apps), 7. Fitz Harding (c) (109 apps), 8. Viliame Mata (27 apps).
System players: 16. Harry Thacker (146 apps), 17. Ellis Genge (68 apps), 18. Jimmy Halliwell (19 apps), 19. Joe Owen (49 apps), 20. Ben Grondona (31 apps), 21. Harry Randall (151 apps), 22. Sam Worsley (29 apps), 23. Matias Moroni (4 apps).
Unavailable: Will Capon, Jake Woolmore, Lovejoy Chawatama, James Dun, Paddy Pearce, Steven Luatua, Kofi Cripps, AJ MacGinty, Toby Baker, Joe Jenkins, Jack Bates, Gabriel Ibitoye, Louis Rees-Zammit.
