Preview: Wales ace Sheedy leads Bristol Bears into dog fight

FULL-BACK Charles Piutau has recovered from injury to take his place in Bristol's team to play Bordeaux-Begles in the Champions Cup last 16.

His inclusion is one of six changes made by director of rugby Pat Lam from the side which beat Harlequins last weekend.

Prop Kyle Sinckler and back row Nathan Hughes come into the pack. Chris Vui starts at blindside in place of captain Steven Luatua, who is out with a leg injury.

Yann Thomas and Joe Joyce start up front, while Piers O'Conor drops to the bench with Alapati Leiua at 12. Callum Sheedy takes over captaincy and scrumhalf Harry Randall could make his comeback off the bench.

France internationals Matthieu Jalibert and Cameron Woki start for the hosts.

Both teams are competing in the Champions Cup knock-out stages for the first time, but they met in a pulsating semi-final in the second-tier Challenge Cup last season with Bristol clinching a 37-20 extra-time win.

While Bristol are top of the Premiership, Bordeaux-Begles sit fifth in the Top 14.

“We know the challenge we face away – it's always tough away in France, but certainly at Bordeaux,” said Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam.

“We know the type of team that they are and how dangerous they are – although we beat them in the Challenge Cup last season, we went to extra time for that, and they know what we bring as well. It's Champions Cup football.”

The French side have enjoyed two wins from two in the pool stage, defeating Northampton Saints 16-12 in the opening round of fixtures before a 47-8 thrashing of Dragons a week later, securing a home fixture in the Round of 16.

Bristol, meanwhile, have already suffered defeat to French opposition in this season's competition –a 51-38 reverse against ASM Clermont Auvergne. They secured their knockout stage berth with a 27-18 victory over Connacht.