Bristol relishing ‘tough game’ against old rivals

AT Lam is not shying away from the challenge of tackling “outstanding” Bath - with the Bears director of rugby claiming Bristol fans look forward to the game because of the toughness of it.

- ALAN BROWN Rugby writer

Gloucester director of rugby George Skivington

(David Rogers/Getty Images)

Near neighbours Bath and Bristol clash at the Rec this afternoon with both teams having won three games and lost once so far this season.

Lam said: “They (Bath-Bristol matches) are always big games. All Bristolians look forward to this game because it is a tough game with a lot of passion, a lot riding on it... where they (Bath) are as club at the moment, which is outstanding”

Two Bristolians who will be able to have an impact on the pitch are prop Ellis Genge and wing Jack Bates, who return to the Bears starting lineup.

The duo, who both missed last Friday's bonus-point victory over Gloucester at Kingsholm, are named in Lam's side for the round five clash with the reigning champions.

The Bears boss makes just three changes for the short trip along with A4, with Argentina international Santiago Grondona replacing the injured Steven Luatua (calf) in the back row.

Academy fly-half Sam Worsley continues in the number ten shirt after his 19-point haul - and record number of conversions for the club in a Premiership fixture - last time out. Among the replacements, there is a return for Josh Carrington after he missed round four with concussion.

For Bath, Tom Dunn, fresh from making his 250th appearance for the club last week, packs down between Beno Obano and Thomas du Toit.