Bristol v Wasps: Teams
Bristol's star winger David Lemi is set to make a return in the final home game of the season against Wasps on Sunday.
Last Updated: 17/04/09 2:25pm
Bristol's star winger David Lemi is set to make a return in the final home game of the season against Wasps on Sunday.
Coach Paul Hull named Lemi on Friday along with scrum-half Shaun Perry who also returns to the back division.
Hull has made four starting changes and one positional to the team that lost to London Irish two weeks ago, ensuring Bristol's relegation to National Division One.
Lemi and Perry will line up at the Memorial Stadium with fellow three-quarters Junior Fatialofa, Luke Eves, Lee Robinson and Luke Arscott.
Wayne Thompson comes into the starting XV to replace Darren Crompton at tighthead prop, whilst Redford Pennycook, Alfie To'aola and Dan Ward-Smith make-up the back row.
Although the West Country club's fate is already sealed, Hull is determined to go down fighting and wants to give the home crown something to shout about on Sunday.
Boost
"We know where we're going to be next year now," he said. "So it's just a matter of continuing to play well, keep up the strong performance and hopefully finish the season with a win.
"I'm sure it'll be a cracking game. We want to finish in front of our home crowd well and give a winning performance."
Meanwhile Wasps have made six changes to the line up that secured victory over Newcastle at Adams Park.
The return of England pair Paul Sackey and Phil Vickery will give the Londoners a huge boost as they their push for the final Heineken Cup qualification spot.
Neither has played since the Six Nations when they were injured in games against Ireland and Scotland respectively - Sackey to his lower calf and Vickery a knock to the head.
Delighted
In the backs Sackey replaces Lachlan Mitchell - named amongst the replacements, while Vickery comes in for young prop Bob Baker in the pack.
Sackey partners Josh Lewsey who moves to the wing in place of Tom Voyce while Riki Flutey returns alongside Dominic Waldouck in the centre.
In the final change, Joe Simpson starts at scrum-half, switching with Mark Robinson who is named on the bench.
Pat Barnard rejoins the side amongst the replacements after recovering from concussion in the Falcons match.
Serge Betsen returns to the back-row, named alongside Tom Rees who will again lead the side.
And in a further change Joe Worsley will wear the number eight jersey in place of John Hart who moves to the bench.
"We are delighted to welcome back Phil Vickery, Paul Sackey and Pat Barnard from injury for this important game," said Director of Rugby Ian McGeechan.
"We expect a tough encounter at the Memorial Stadium and we know that nothing less than a win will do if we are to keep all eyes on the strongest possible finish to the season.
"Entering into the penultimate Guinness Premiership fixture, we are bolstered by a near full strength squad for what will no doubt be a highly competitive game."
Bristol: 15 Luke Arscott, 14 Lee Robinson, 13 Luke Eves, 12 Junior Fatialofa, 11 David Lemi, 10 Ed Barnes, 9 Shaun Perry, 8 Dan Ward-Smith, 7 Redford Pennycook, 6 Alfie To'oala, 5 Robert Sidoli, 4 Mariano Sambucetti, 3 Wayne Thompson, 2 Scott Linklater, 1 Mark Irish.
Replacements: 16 Ollie Hayes, 17 Darren Crompton, 18 Roy Winters, 19 James Phillips, 20 Haydn Thomas, 21 Tom Arscott, 22 Mat Turner.
Wasps: 15 Mark Van Gisbergen, 14 Paul Sackey, 13 Dominic Waldouck, 12 Riki Flutey, 11 Josh Lewsey, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Joe Simpson, 8 Joe Worsley, 7 Tom Rees (capt), 6 Serge Betsen, 5 George Skivington, 4 Simon Shaw, 3 Phil Vickery, 2 Rob Webber, 1 Tim Payne.
Replacements: 16 Joe ward, 17 Pat Barnard, 18 Richard Birkett, 19 John Hart, 20 Mark Robinson, 21 Jeremy Staunton, 22 Lachlan Mitchell.