Team news: Bristol Bears vs Leicester Tigers – GP R14

Bristol Bears welcome back Gabriel Ibitoye for Sunday’s Easter Sunday clash with Leicester Tigers at Ashton Gate.

Ibitoye returns on the wing for the round 14 meeting with third-place Tigers, making his first appearance since January.

Kalaveti Ravouvou switches to outside centre to partner Benhard Janse van Rensburg, while fly-half AJ MacGinty makes his first start since the return fixture at Mattioli Woods Welford Road in December.

In the pack, there’s a return for Joe Batley, partnering James Dun – making his 50^th competitive appearance – in the engine room, with George Kloska back at tighthead having missed the round 13 fixture at Kingsholm.

Fitz Harding captains from the openside flank, while Steven Luatua makes his 149^th competitive appearance for the club from the blindside.

Bristol Bears team to face Leicester Tigers at Ashton Gate on Sunday (3pm KO):

15. Rich Lane (56 apps), 14. Jack Bates (51 apps), 13. Kalaveti Ravouvou (26 apps), 12. Benhard Janse van Rensburg (44 apps), 11. Gabriel Ibitoye (53 apps), 10. AJ MacGinty (47 apps), 9. Harry Randall (140 apps); 1. Ellis Genge (56 apps), 2. Gabriel Oghre (37 apps), 3. George Kloska (59 apps), 4. James Dun (49 apps), 5. Joe Batley (71 apps), 6. Steven Luatua (148 apps), 7. Fitz Harding (c) (91 apps), 8. Viliame Mata (12 apps).

System players: 16. Harry Thacker (129 apps), 17. Yann Thomas (126 apps), 18. Max Lahiff (105 apps), 19. Josh Caulfield (32 apps), 20. Jake Heenan (121 apps), 21. Kieran Marmion (46 apps), 22. James Williams (50 apps), 23. Joe Jenkins (25 apps).

Unavailable: Lovejoy Chawatama, Steele Barker, Joe Owen, George Taylor, Santiago Grondona, Harry Byrne, Sam Worsley, Noah Heward, Harry Rowson, Siva Naulago, Max Malins.