Fitz Harding returns for the Bears vs Connacht

January 18, 2024
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Ultimate Rugby

The Bristol Bears’ Investec Champions Cup clash with will see the return of Fitz Harding vs Connacht at The Sportsground on Friday night (7.45pm KO, live on TNT Sports).

The 24-year-old skipper lines up at openside for the Pool A fixture in Galway, as Pat Lam makes five changes from last weekend, with Jake Woolmore and Kyle Sinckler returning in the front row.

Harry Randall starts at scrum half and will make his 10^th Champions Cup appearance for the club – joining Darren Crompton as the club’s joint highest capped player in the competition.

In the back line, Virimi Vakatawa and Kalaveti Ravouvou come into the starting XV with Benhard Janse van Rensburg shifting to inside centre.

Bristol Bears to face Connacht at The Sportsground in the Investec Champions Cup on Friday (7.45pm KO, live on TNT Sports):

15. Max Malins (27 apps), 14. Kalaveti Ravouvou (5 apps), 13. Virimi Vakatawa (12 apps), 12. Benhard Janse van Rensburg (16 apps), 11. Gabriel Ibitoye (32 apps), 10. AJ MacGinty (29 apps), 9. Harry Randall (117 apps); 1. Jake Woolmore (144 apps) 2. Gabriel Oghre (9 apps), 3. Kyle Sinckler (52 apps), 4. Josh Caulfield (18 apps), 5. Joe Batley (55 apps), 6. Steven Luatua (121 apps), 7. Fitz Harding (63 apps) (c), 8. Magnus Bradbury (36 apps).

System players: 16. Will Capon (83 apps), 17. Sam Grahamslaw (6 apps), 18. Max Lahiff (79 apps) 19. Joe Owen (3 apps), 20. Dan Thomas (142 apps), 21. Kieran Marmion (16 apps), 22. James Williams (33 apps), 23. Piers O’Conor (129 apps).

Unavailable: Ellis Genge, Yann Thomas, Harry Thacker, James Dun, Chris Vui, Santiago Grondona, Callum Sheedy, Siva Naulago, Noah Heward, Rich Lane.