Bristol Bears: Team News
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Toby Fricker makes his return from injury when the Bears welcome Exeter Chiefs to Ashton Gate on Friday night in round five of the Gallagher Premiership (7.45pm KO, live on BT Sport).
- Ellis Genge and Charles Piutau return
- Toby Fricker back from injury to start
- Lam makes seven changes from Falcons defeat
Ellis Genge and Charles Piutau also return to the starting XV having missed last week’s defeat at Kingston Park, while there’s also a start for John Hawkins in the second row.
Harry Randall comes in at scrum half where he partners Callum Sheedy, with Sam Bedlow rejoining Piers O’Conor in the Bears midfield and Rich Lane switching to the wing.
Among the system players, Tom Whiteley is set for his first league appearance since February.
Bristol Bears team to face Exeter Chiefs at Ashton Gate on Friday night (7.45pm KO):
15. Charles Piutau (66 apps), 14. Toby Fricker (29 apps), 13. Piers O'Conor (111 apps), 12. Sam Bedlow (51 apps), 11. Rich Lane (8 apps); 10. Callum Sheedy (135 apps), 9. 21. Harry Randall (89 apps); 1. Ellis Genge (26 apps), 2. Will Capon (63 apps), 3. Kyle Sinckler (35 apps), 4. John Hawkins (38 apps), 5. Joe Joyce (155 apps), 6. Chris Vui (97 apps), 7. Jake Heenan (c) (69 apps), 8. Magnus Bradbury (4 apps).
System players: 16. Jake Kerr (22 apps), 17. Jake Woolmore (112 apps), 18. Max Lahiff (44 apps), 19. Ed Holmes (89 apps), 20. Dan Thomas (111 apps), 21. Tom Whiteley (7 apps), 22. AJ MacGinty (4 apps), 23. Jack Bates (24 apps).
Unavailable: Harry Thacker, Steven Luatua, Sam Jeffries, Sam Lewis, Fitz Harding, Semi Radradra, Luke Morahan, Siva Naulago, Gabriel Ibitoye.
