Bristol v Worcester: Tusi Pisi returns for crucial Premiership clash
Last Updated: 26/12/16 4:47pm
Tusi Pisi will make his first Bristol appearance since October in their must-win clash at home to relegation rivals Worcester on Boxing Day (kick-off 3pm).
The Samoa international has been sidelined with a groin injury suffered against Newcastle on October 11 but returns at fly-half for the Ashton Gate contest.
Pisi's inclusion is one of four changes to the side that claimed a bonus-point win in Pau in the Challenge Cup, with the other three coming in the pack.
Ireland international lock Dan Tuohy makes his competitive debut while Olly Robinson and Nick Fenton-Wells come into the back row in place of injured duo Jordan Crane and Jonathan Fisher.
"The way we have performed over the past two weeks in the European Challenge Cup has been very encouraging, but the impetus is now on the players to translate those performances into the league," said Bristol head coach Mark Tainton.
Bristol, who have lost all 10 of their Premiership fixtures this season, trail 11th-placed Worcester by six points and the Warriors welcome back England centre Ben Te'o, who starts at inside centre.
Scrum-half Michael Dowsett and lock Christian Scotland-Williamson make their first Premiership starts with Dean Hammond recalled on the wing. Dewald Potgieter skippers the side.
Bristol: 15 Jason Woodward, 14 Jack Wallace, 13 Will Hurrell, 12 Tusi Pisi, 11 Tom Varndell, 10 Billy Searle, 9 Will Cliff; 1 Ryan Bevington, 2 Rob Hawkins, 3 Gaston Cortes, 4 Dan Tuohy, 5 Ben Glynn, 6 Nick Fenton-Wells, 7 Olly Robinson (c), 8 Mitch Eadie.
Replacements: 16 Max Crumpton, 17 Kyle Traynor, 18 Jamal Ford-Robinson, 19 James Phillips, 20 Mark Sorenson, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Adrian Jarvis, 23 Thretton Palamo.
Worcester Warriors: 15 Chris Pennell, 14 Dean Hammond, 13 Ben Te'o, 12 Jackson Willison, 11 Cooper Vuna, 10 Jamie Shillcock, 9 Michael Dowsett; 1 Val Rapava Ruskin, 2 Jaba Bregvadze, 3 Nick Schonert, 4 Christian Scotland-Williamson, 5 Darren Barry, 6 Dewald Potgieter (c), 7 Sam Lewis, 8 Alafoti Faosiliva.
Replacements: 16 Jack Singleton, 17 Na'ama Leleimalefaga, 18 James Johnston, 19 Will Spencer, 20 Phil Dowson, 21 George de Cothi, 22 Ryan Mills, 23 Josh Adams.
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