Bears are under no illusions, says Lam

DAN Thomas will represent Bristol Bears for the 100th time in a competitive fixture when they face Welsh side Scarlets in the European Champions Cup this evening.

The back row man – who joined the Bears in 2017 having graduated through the Scarlets Academy and then moved on to Gloucester – is one of four changes to the starting lineup compared to last weekend when Stade Francais were beaten 28-17 at Ashton Gate.

Hooker Bryan Byrne makes a return to the starting XV for the first time since May, while Siva Naulago could make his first outing of the campaign from the replacements bench after breaking his arm during pre-season.

Charles Piutau comes into an exciting backline with Ioan Lloyd switching to midfield, while Ed Holmes is named in the second row.

The Bears are going in search of a high-ranking seeding among the 16 teams, having already clinched a spot in the knockout stages.

Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam told his pre-match press conference: “It’s about performing better and better each week – and we’re under no illusions about how tough this match is going to be.”

The teams meet for the first time in the competition this season, with the Ashton Gate contest having been called off due to Covid. The Bears were awarded a 28-0 victory by the tournament organisers. ■ Arthur Cordwell will make his first European start when Bath Rugby host Leinster in round four of the European Champions Cup today.

The Academy graduate, who debuted in the tournament against the Irish province in round one, takes the number one jersey for his seventh appearance in Blue, Black and White.

Starting the other side of the front row is England international Will Stuart, who returns from a head knock, while Jacques du Toit, who showed the pace of a wing in the lead up to Joe Simpson’s try against La Rochelle, is promoted to the number two jersey.

Will Spencer starts at lock with captain Charlie Ewels, while Tom Ellis, Sam Underhill and Josh Bayliss line up in the back row.

Like Stuart and Ewels, Orlando Bailey received a Six Nations call-up from Eddie Jones in the week, and the Academy fly-half is back in the Bath XV with Ben Spencer at nine.

Cameron Redpath moves to his familiar inside centre position, Max Clark is at 13, while Tom Prydie is on the wing, Gabriel Hamer-Webb lines up on the oppositte flank with Ruaridh McConnochie at full-back for the Blue, Black & Whites.

Bath Rugby:

R McConnochie; G Hamer-Webb, M Clark, C Redpath, T Prydie; O Bailey, B Spencer; A Cordwell,

J du Toit, W Stuart, W Spencer, C Ewels, T Ellis, S Underhill, J Bayliss. Replacements: T Doughty, W Vaughan, J Jonker, J McNally, M Williams, J Simpson, M Ojomoh, W Butt.

■ Newcastle Falcons’ scheduled European Challenge Cup game against Toulon today has been cancelled due to coronavirus cases at the Gallagher Premiership club.