Bears boosted by return of Lahiff and Williams

BRISTOL Bears welcome back centre Jimmy Williams and prop Max Lahiff for this afternoon's trip to Exeter Chiefs in the Prem Rugby Cup.

- JOHN EVELY

The duo are looking to get some valuable minutes under their belts after returning to full fitness from injuries. Williams suffered an ankle problem in Bristol’s first competitive game of the season away at Sale Sharks in the Prem Rugby Cup back in September and will be a highly-useful returnee with the Bears short of options at fly-half and at centre, with Tom Jordan still away with Scotland and a significant injury list across the backline.

Speaking ahead of the trip to Sandy Park, Bristol head of academy John Barnes said: “It’s great to have Jimmy back, obviously I've worked a lot with him at Hartpury.

“He's great on the training pitch, he’s a real rugby man who works hard on the training pitch and brings a lot out of the youngsters.

“He’s done brilliantly here. The last couple of seasons, he’s been one of the first names on the team sheet, and he really gels the team.”