Siale Piutau returns from ban for Bordeaux semi-final

David Skippers

Bristol Bears' Siale Piutau (left) evades being tackled by Worcester Warriors' Melani Nanai during the Gallagher Premiership match at Sixways Stadium, Worcester.

Centre Siale Piutau makes his return to the Bristol starting line-up as the Bears face Bordeaux-Begles in the European Challenge Cup semi-final on Friday.

The former Tongan international captain is one of five changes to the side that overcame the Dragons in the quarters.

Ed Holmes comes into the second-row in place of Dave Attwood, while Harry Randall starts in place of Andy Uren. Max Malins is named at full-back in place of Charles Piutau (Achilles) and Alapati Leiua comes in for Henry Purdy (hamstring).

Bristol have reached the Challenge Cup semi-final for just the second time, and their only previous appearance at this stage was a 51-27 defeat by Pau in 1999/2000.

The Bears include academy utility back Ioan Lloyd among the replacements for the Ashton Gate clash.

Meanwhile, Bordeaux boss Christophe Urios has made three changes to the starting XV that defeated Edinburgh in the quarter-finals.

At tighthead, gargantuan prop Ben Tameifuna will make his first start with Vadim Cobilas taking his place on the bench.

In the back-row Cameron Woki, who was a replacement last weekend, is selected at blindside flanker, while Alexandre Roumat is back in the squad.

Finally, scrum-half Maxime Lucu is the only other alteration among in the starting XV.

The teams:

Bristol: 15 Max Malins, 14 Luke Morahan, 13 Semi Radradra, 12 Siale Piutau, 11 Alapati Leiua, 10 Callum Sheedy, 9 Harry Randall, 8 Nathan Hughes, 7 Ben Earl, 6 Steven Luatua (c), 5 Chris Vui, 4 Ed Holmes, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Harry Thacker, 1 Jake Woolmore
Replacements: 16 Will Capon, 17 Yann Thomas, 18 John Afoa, 19 Joe Joyce, 20 Daniel Thomas, 21 Andy Uren, 22 Ioan Lloyd, 23 Piers O’Conor

Bordeaux-Begles: 15 Nans Ducuing, 14 Santiago Cordero, 13 Jean-Baptiste Dubié, 12 Ulupano Seuteni, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Maxime Lucu, 8 Marco Tauleigne, 7 Guido Petti, 6 Cameron Woki, 5 Jandré Marais, 4 Kane Douglas, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Clement Maynadier, 1 Jefferson Poirot (c)
Replacements: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Lekso Kaulashvili, 18 Vadim Cobilas, 19 Cyril Cazeaux, 20 Alexandre Roumat, 21 Yann Lesgourgues, 22 Ben Botica, 23 Pablo Uberti

Date: Friday, September 25
Venue: Ashton Gate
Kick-off: 19:45 BST (18:45 GMT)
Referee: Frank Murphy (Ireland)
Assistant Referees: Luke Pearce, Tom Foley
TMO: Stuart Terheege

Bristol