MACGINTY BOOST FOR BRISTOL BEARS

The Investec Champions Cup is set to resume on January 12, and Bristol Bears will see the return of American international AJ MacGinty in their match against Sale Sharks in the Gallagher English Premiership. MacGinty, who suffered a hamstring injury in October against Leicester Tigers, will replace the injured Callum Sheedy as the fly-half.

Bristol Bears, currently fifth in Pool 1 with the same number of points as Saracens and Vodacom Bulls, are making several changes for the upcoming fixture. Inside centre James Williams comes in for the injured Virimi Vakatawa, and wing Gabriel Ibitoye takes the place of Rich Lane in the backline. In the forward pack, Josh Caulfield replaces the injured James Dun in the second row, and Jake Woolmore is brought into the front row.

 

On the Sale Sharks side, currently third in Pool 4, centre Rekeiti Ma’asi-White will make his first Premiership start, and Rob du Preez will switch to fly-half in the absence of the injured George Ford. Sale Sharks will travel to face DHL Stormers on January 13.

In the other Premiership game of the night, Harlequins are making six changes for their match against Newcastle Falcons. They are preparing for a visit to Cardiff Rugby on January 13 in Pool 2, where they currently hold the fourth position. The changes include Fin Baxter replacing the injured Joe Marler at loosehead prop, a new second-row pairing of Irne Herbst and George Hammond, and the recall of James Chisholm at blindside flanker. In the backs, Will Porter and Will Edwards form a fresh half-back partnership.