A weakened Bristol Bears outfit missing 16 regulars have named a former Australian international in their starting lineup to face South Africa ‘A’ on Thursday night.
A record stadium crowd of 26,387 will watch Bristol Bears take on South Africa XV at a sold-out Ashton Gate. Kick-off is at 9.30pm (South Africa time).
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Bristol will be without, among others, England internationals Kyle Sinckler and Ellis Genge, American flyhalf AJ MacGinty, Fijian back Semi Radradra and Tongan Charles Piutau.
However, the Premiership outfit will still have former Wallabies speedster Luke Morahan at fullback. Morahan is joined in the back three by former England U20 flier Gabriel Ibitoye.
Scotland loose forward Magnus Bradbury adds further experience to the Bears’ pack.
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Bristol Bears – 15 Luke Morahan, 14 Deago Bailey, 13 Piers O’Conor, 12 Sam Bedlow, 11 Gabriel Ibitoye, 10 Callum Sheedy, 9 Will Porter, 8 Fitz Harding, 7 Jake Heenan, 6 Magnus Bradbury, 5 Joe Batley, 4 Joe Joyce (c), 3 Max Lahiff, 2 Bryan Byrne, 1 Yann Thomas
Subs: 16 Harry Thacker, 17 Jake Woolmore, 18 Jonathan Benz-Salomon, 19 John Hawkins, 20 Sam Lewis, 21 Andy Uren, 22 Joe Jenkins, 23 Rich Lane.
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Photo: Getty Images
