Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Bears recall Radradra for derby against rivals Bath
Bears select Fijian star for clash with Blue, Black & Whites at the Rec
SEMI Radradra and Tom de Glanville will return to their respective starting line-ups when Bath Rugby host derby rivals Bristol Bears in this afternoon’s Gallagher Premiership clash.
Fijian superstar Radradra is one of five changes made by Pat Lam as Bristol aim to bounce back from defeat to Exeter in their previous league outing.
Siale Piutau joins Radradra in the midfield, while Callum Sheedy is named at fly-half, with Max Malins switching to the wing.
In the pack, England international duo Ben Earl and Nathan Hughes come into the back row, while hooker Jake Kerr – formerly of Leicester Tigers – is on the bench, having agreed a short-term deal at the Bears.
Lam said: “Jake has impressed us since he arrived at the Bears High Performance Centre on a trial basis.
“With Harry Thacker now getting closer, but not ready for first-team rugby just yet, we needed to bolster our depth in the hooker position ahead of the crucial run-in.
“Jake has settled in well, made a positive impact and he will be available for selection with immediate effect.”
For Bath, De Glanville is selected in the 15 jersey, meaning a switch to the wing for Anthony Watson, who was named in the British & Irish Lions squad on Thursday.
Watson is joined on the Lions’ 37-man list by Taulupe Faletau. The Wales international switches from blindside flanker to number eight in a back row containing Academy graduates Josh Bayliss and Miles Reid.
Max Clark comes into the centres with the rest of the backline unchanged from last week.
A replacement against Montpellier, Elliott Stooke partners captain Josh McNally in the second row, while the front row is unchanged.
On the bench, Tom Ellis is set for his 100th Bath Rugby appearance. The 26-year-old made his debut for the club in 2014 and has been a consistent performer in Blue, Black and White ever since.
Fly-half Rhys Priestland is also in the matchday 23. It is the first time the Welshman has featured since the middle of March.
Bath Rugby: T de Glanville; A Watson, M Clark, C Redpath, W Muir; O Bailey, B Spencer; J Schoeman, T Dunn, W Stuart, J McNally (capt), E Stooke, J Bayliss, M Reid, T Faletau. Replacements: J du Toit, J Bhatti, C Judge, C Ewels, T Ellis, W Chudley, R Priestland, A Gray
Bristol Bears: C Piutau; L Morahan, S Radradra, S Piutau, M Malins; C Sheedy, A Uren; Y Thomas, B Byrne, K Sinckler, D Attwood, C Vui, S Luatua (capt), B Earl, N Hughes. Replacements: J Kerr, J Woolmore, J Afoa, E Holmes, J Heenan, T Kessell, I Lloyd, A Leiua.
■ Hartpury do not have a game this weekend as there are no GKIPA Championship fixtures scheduled for any of the 11 teams.