Oghre and Kloska return for Tigers clash

Gabriel Oghre and George Kloska return to the starting lineup for Bristol Bears’ Gallagher PREM round five showdown with Leicester Tigers at Ashton Gate on Friday night (7.45pm KO, live on TNT Sports).

The pair join England and British & Irish Lions loosehead Ellis Genge in the front row, as Director of Rugby Pat Lam makes three changes to the side that defeated West Country rivals Exeter Chiefs last weekend.

Pedro Rubiolo and Joe Batley continue their partnership in the second row, while Georgian international Luka Ivanishvili comes in at number eight alongside centurions Steven Luatua and skipper Fitz Harding.

Luatua is set to make his 164th competitive appearance for the club, with Harding leading the Bears into a mouth-watering clash between two of the Gallagher PREM’s early-season frontrunners.

In the backline, last weekend’s Player of the Match Harry Randall continues at scrum half alongside experienced USA international AJ MacGinty, with James Williams and Argentina international Matias Moroni combining in midfield.

The dangerous back three of Gabriel Ibitoye, Louis Rees-Zammit and Tom Jordan is retained, with Rees-Zammit looking to add to his impressive tally of four tries in his opening four Gallagher PREM appearances.

Among the replacements, Academy hooker Tomas Gwilliam provides front-row cover alongside Jake Woolmore, who is set for his 194th competitive appearance for the club, and Lovejoy Chawatama.

Josh Caulfield, Joe Owen and Ben Grondona offer further forward options, while experienced scrum half Kieran Marmion and versatile back Jack Bates complete the matchday 23.

The Friday night encounter forms the centrepiece of the club’s Legends Night celebrations, with the Bears set to wear letters instead of numbers on their shirts in a special tribute to the club’s rich history and heritage.

Bristol Bears team to face Leicester Tigers at Ashton Gate on Friday night (7.45pm KO, live on TNT Sports):

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).

System players: 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).

Unavailable: Max Lahiff, Harry Thacker, Ethan Staddon, Viliame Mata, Khalik Kareem, Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Max Clark, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Noah Heward, Josh Carrington.