Wolstenholme captains young Bears in cup derby clash

Sam Wolstenholme returns from injury to captain the Bears in their PREM Rugby Cup round three clash with Bath Rugby at Ashton Gate on Friday night (7.45pm KO).

The scrum half makes his comeback from a hamstring injury sustained during pre-season to partner debutant Raff Weston at half-back for the derby clash.

In the midfield, there’s a senior debut for Academy centre Victor Worsnip alongside Bristolian Jack Bates, while in the back three, Mat Protheroe is named at full back after re-joining the club on a short-term deal, alongside Josh Carrington and Aidan Boshoff.

In the pack, Georgian international Luke Ivanishvili starts on the blindside flank, with Kofi Cripps on the openside. In the front row, Academy duo Jimmy Halliwell and Tomas Gwilliam join Sam Grahamslaw, while in the engine room, Joe Owen packs down alongside Paddy Pearce.

Among the replacements, there’s a potential debut for Welsh international Ellis Bevan, who joined on a short-term deal from Cardiff this week.

Bristol Bears team to face Bath Rugby in the PREM Rugby Cup on Friday night (7.45pm KO):

15. Mat Protheroe (34 apps), 14. Josh Carrington (6 apps), 13. Jack Bates (55 apps), 12. Victor Worsnip (debut), 11. Aidan Boshoff (6 apps), 10. Raff Weston (debut), 9. Sam Wolstenholme (c) (9 apps); 1. Sam Grahamslaw (17 apps), 2. Tomas Gwilliam (7 apps), 3. Jimmy Halliwell (13 apps), 4. Paddy Pearce (15 apps), 5. Joe Owen (15 apps), 6. Luka Ivanishvili (3 apps), 7. Kofi Cripps (5 apps), 8. Benjamin Grondona (26 apps).

System players: 16. Gabriel Oghre (49 apps), 17. Louie Trevett (4 apps), 18. Lovejoy Chawatama (12 apps), 19. Steele Barker (5 apps), 20. Kenzie Jenkins (5 apps), 21. Ellis Bevan (debut), 22. Evan Morris (1 app), 23. Benjamin Elizalde (21 apps).