Team news: Sale Sharks vs Bristol Bears
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Pedro Rubiolo makes his long-awaited return from injury for Bristol Bears’ Gallagher PREM season opener against Sale Sharks at Corpacq Stadium on Saturday (5.30pm KO, live on TNT Sports).
The Argentina international returns to the starting XV after recovering from a knee injury sustained in January, packing down in the second row alongside Joe Batley.
Bristolian duo Ellis Genge and George Kloska return from international duty to join England hooker Gabriel Oghre in an all-international front row.
Georgia international Luka Ivanishvili starts at openside flanker, with Joe Owen on the blindside and captain Fitz Harding completing the pack at number eight.
In the backline, Pat Lam welcomes Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Tom Jordan and Louis Rees-Zammit back from international duty, while Harry Randall and AJ MacGinty join forces at half-back.
Janse van Rensburg partners James Williams in midfield, with Rees-Zammit and Gabriel Ibitoye forming an exciting back three alongside Jordan.
Among the replacements, Academy trio Tomas Gwilliam, Jimmy Halliwell and George Taylor are included, with Argentina international Benjamin Grondona also named on a six-two bench.
Bears centurions Steven Luatua and Jake Woolmore add their experience from the bench, alongside Kieran Marmion and the versatile Max Pepper.
15. Tom Jordan (20 apps), 14. Louis Rees-Zammit (15 apps), 13. Benhard Janse van Rensburg (73 apps), 12. James Williams (77 apps), 11. Gabriel Ibitoye (74 apps), 10. AJ MacGinty (59 apps), 9. Harry Randall (167 apps); 1. Ellis Genge (78 apps), 2. Gabriel Oghre (63 apps), 3. George Kloska (85 apps), 4. Pedro Rubiolo (14 apps), 5. Joe Batley (97 apps), 6. Joe Owen (66 apps), 7. Luka Ivanishvili (13 apps), 8. Fitz Harding (c) (123 apps).
System players: 16. Tomas Gwilliam (19 apps), 17. Jake Woolmore (188 apps), 18. Jimmy Halliwell (27 apps), 19. George Taylor (21 apps), 20. Steven Luatua (160 apps), 21. Kieran Marmion (76 apps), 22. Max Pepper (9 apps), 23. Benjamin Grondona (38 apps).
Unavailable: Max Lahiff, Harry Thacker, Josh Caulfield, Ethan Staddon, Viliame Mata, Khalik Kareem, Matias Moroni, Max Clark, Jack Bates Kalaveti Ravouvou, Noah Heward.
