Charles Piutau back for Bristol’s clash with Newcastle

David Skippers
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Charles Piutau is set for his return to first-team action when Bristol Bears kick off 2021 against high-flying Newcastle Falcons on Friday.

The All Black is one of seven changes to Pat Lam’s men ahead of the Premiership encounter.

Earlier this week, the Bears received their first positive result for a player since testing began in July. Despite all other players in the squad receiving negative results, the club followed Covid-19 competition protocols to isolate all front-row players who featured in the matchday squad versus Harlequins.

As a result, Peter McCabe, George Kloska and Jake Armstrong form a new-look front-row, with all three set for first Premiership starts.

Meanwhile, Ed Holmes, Ben Earl, Dan Thomas, Siale Piutau and Max Malins are all handed rest weeks.

Andy Uren is recalled to the backline, while Joe Joyce and Jake Heenan are also named in the starting line-up.

The Bears are boosted by the return of Luke Morahan to the replacements, while Academy scholar hooker Aaron Thompson and Integrated Academy prop Andrew Turner are also named in the 23-man squad and could make competitive debuts.

Kyle Sinckler returned to camp early from mandated leave for a Covid test and then took part in Thursday’s captain’s run to be listed among the replacements.

Meanwhile, Argentina centre Matias Orlando lines up for his Newcastle Falcons debut on Friday when they make the Premiership trip to Ashton Gate.

The 47-times-capped Pumas star has been named at inside centre for the clash, number eight Philip van der Walt also making his Premiership debut in a game which has been moved to a 3pm kick-off.

Mark Wilson skippers Falcons

Mark Wilson captains the side having made a successful return from injury in Newcastle’s 26-17 away victory over Castres – Tom Arscott starting at full-back after scoring in the Challenge Cup triumph.

Sam Stuart, who scored in both of the Falcons’ recent European encounters, starts at scrum-half, with Toby Flood moving to fly-half.

George Wacokecoke comes in at outside centre for a Falcons side who have won all three of their Premiership games this season, the Kingston Park outfit having also been awarded a further four points from their cancelled Boxing Day match against Leicester Tigers.

Jamie Blamire starts at hooker having earned man-of-the-match honours against Cardiff Blues during the recent European window, while Newcastle’s bench could see a Premiership debut for hooker Charlie Maddison.

Form: Bristol Bears have won their last three Premiership Rugby fixtures since their opening weekend defeat at Wasps. Bristol have lost only once at Ashton Gate in Premiership Rugby since last January: 22-25 to Exeter on 25 August. Newcastle’s only defeat so far this season was at home to Cardiff Blues in the European Challenge Cup on December 11. The Falcons have not been defeated away from home in any competition since a trip to Gloucester in May 2019. The Bears won both encounters when the two clubs last met in Premiership Rugby in season 2018/19, whilst the Falcons have been victorious on three of their last four visits to Bristol in all competitions.

The teams:

Bristol Bears: 15 Charles Piutau, 14 Siva Naulago, 13 Semi Radradra, 12 Piers O’Conor, 11 Ioan Lloyd, 10 Callum Sheedy, 9 Andy Uren, 8 Nathan Hughes, 7 Jake Heenan, 6 Steven Luatua (c), 5 Joe Joyce, 4 Dave Attwood, 3 Jake Armstrong, 2 George Kloska, 1 Peter McCabe
Replacements: 16 Aaron Thompson, 17 Andrew Turner, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 John Hawkins, 20 Fitz Harding, 21 Harry Randall, 22 Alapati Leiua, 23 Luke Morahan

Newcastle Falcons: 15 Tom Arscott, 14 Adam Radwan, 13 George Wacokecoke, 12 Matias Orlando, 11 Ben Stevenson, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Sam Stuart, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Mark Wilson (c), 6 Sean Robinson, 5 Marco Fuser, 4 Greg Peterson, 3 Logovi’i Mulipola, 2 Jamie Blamire, 1 Trevor Davison
Replacements: 16 Charlie Maddison, 17 Kyle Cooper, 18 Mark Tampin, 19 Connor Collett, 20 Josh Basham, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Brett Connon, 23 Gareth Owen

Venue: Ashton Gate
Kick-off: 15:00 GMT
Referee: Christopher Ridley
Assistant Referees: Paul Dix, Jamie Leahy
TMO: Graham Hughes

Bristol