International Quartet Return For Chiefs Derby Clash

Bristol Bears welcome back four international stars for Saturday’s Gallagher PREM round three clash with Exeter Chiefs at Ashton Gate on Saturday (3pm KO).

Ellis Genge, Pedro Rubiolo, Benjamin Elizalde and Santiago Grondona are all back in Pat Lam’s starting XV after their summer exploits with the British and Irish Lions and Los Pumas, as the Bears take on their West Country rivals on Derby Weekend.

Bristolian Genge makes his first Bears appearance of the season at loosehead, while Argentina lock Rubiolo is back from an impressive Rugby Championship campaign.

Elizalde, who won his first cap for Argentina against England in July, starts at full back while Grondona is named on the blindside flank.

Rubiolo, one of the stars of The Rugby Championship, packs down alongside Joe Batley, who this week signed a new long-term contract with the club, while in the back row, skipper Fitz Harding is back from injury to join Grondona and Viliame Mata.

Kieran Marmion and Tom Jordan continue at half-back, with Jack Bates returning from injury to partner Benhard Janse van Rensburg in the midfield. Josh Carrington switches to the wing in place of the injured Louis Rees-Zammit, with Kalaveti Ravouvou and Elizalde completing the back three.

Bristol Bears team to face Exeter Chiefs at Ashton Gate in round three of the Gallagher PREM on Saturday (3pm KO, live on Discovery+):

15. Benjamin Elizalde (18 apps), 14. Josh Carrington (4 apps), 13. Jack Bates (53 apps), 12. Benhard Janse van Rensburg (53 apps), 11. Kalaveti Ravouvou (34 apps), 10. Tom Jordan (3 apps), 9. Kieran Marmion (55 apps); 1. Ellis Genge (61 apps), 2. Gabriel Oghre (46 apps), 3. George Kloska (68 apps), 4. Pedro Rubiolo (2 apps), 5. Joe Batley (78 apps), 6. Santiago Grondona (16 apps), 7. Fitz Harding (c) (100 apps), 8. Viliame Mata (20 apps).

System players: 16. Harry Thacker (136 apps), 17. Jake Woolmore (172 apps), 18. Lovejoy Chawatama (9 apps), 19. James Dun (55 apps), 20. Joe Owen (39 apps), 21. Oscar Lennon (12 apps), 22. Sam Worsley (19 apps), 23. Max Pepper (3 apps).

Unavailable: Will Capon, Max Lahiff, Will Ramply, George Taylor, Steven Luatua, Harry Randall, Sam Wolstenholme, AJ MacGinty, James Williams, Toby Baker, Joe Jenkins, Gabriel Ibitoye, Louis Rees-Zammit, Noah Heward, Rich Lane.