Siale Piutau returns for Bristol's Challenge Cup semi-final against Bordeaux

Bristol Bears centre Siale Piutau has returned back to the line-up for the upcoming European Challenge Cup game against Bordeaux Begles to be played at Ashton Gate on Friday.

Piutau has served his three-week ban following an incident involving Worcester's Andrew Kitchener in the Gallagher Premiership game between the two sides.

He will return to inside centre and is among the five changes made by Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam. Piutau's inclusion sees Piers O'Conor dropping to the bench while Max Malins returns to fullback after Charles Piutau misses out due to injury.

As Henry Purdy misses out due to hamstring injury, Alapati Leiua takes position at left wing while Harry Randall forms halfback partnership with Callum Sheedy. The final change sees Ed Holmes taking slot at second row partnering with Chris Vui.

Meanwhile, Bordeaux has made three changes to the starting line-up from the side that defeated Edinburgh in the quarter-finals.

Bristol starting line-up: 15 Max Malins, 14 Luke Morahan, 13 Semi Radradra, 12 Siale Piutau, 11 Alapati Leiua, 10 Callum Sheedy, 9 Harry Randall, 8 Nathan Hughes, 7 Ben Earl, 6 Steven Luatua (c), 5 Chris Vui, 4 Ed Holmes, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Harry Thacker, 1 Jake Woolmore

Reserves: 16 Will Capon, 17 Yann Thomas, 18 John Afoa, 19 Joe Joyce, 20 Daniel Thomas, 21 Andy Uren, 22 Ioan Lloyd, 23 Piers O’Conor

Bordeaux-Begles starting line-up: 15 Nans Ducuing, 14 Santiago Cordero, 13 Jean-Baptiste Dubié, 12 Ulupano Seuteni, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Maxime Lucu, 8 Marco Tauleigne, 7 Guido Petti, 6 Cameron Woki, 5 Jandré Marais, 4 Kane Douglas, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Clement Maynadier, 1 Jefferson Poirot (c)

Reserves: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Lekso Kaulashvili, 18 Vadim Cobilas, 19 Cyril Cazeaux, 20 Alexandre Roumat, 21 Yann Lesgourgues, 22 Ben Botica, 23 Pablo Uberti