Irish international fly-half Harry Byrne is back to add his experience to Bristol Bears on Saturday with Pat Lam’s side in need of a win against derby rivals Bath to keep their faint play-off hopes in the Premiership Rugby Cup alive.

Bath have claimed top spot in Pool D of the competition and head to Ashton Gate fighting for a top seeding and home advantage in the knockout stages of the competition, while Bristol are looking to sneak through the back door and claim the last of the three runner’s up positions. To do that, results elsewhere will have to go their way, with Gloucester better positioned heading away to Exeter Chiefs and Leicester Tigers tied on match points facing a trip to local rivals Coventry. Ealing Trailfinders and Sale Sharks look likely to take the other two best-runner up spots in the quarter-finals in two weeks' time.

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Lam blamed a lack of experience within the combinations in his side for the shock 23-14 upset away at Bedford Blues last Friday, meaning the return of Byrne to likely start alongside fellow Irish international Kieran Marmion at half-back is a significant boost.

Lam said: “Harry Byrne is back up and running and looking to be involved this weekend.”

Bryne missed the trip to Bedford due a tightness in his quadricep with on-loan Hartpury fly-half Harry Bazalgette starting in the pouring rain.

Hooker Gabriel Oghre was pulled out of the Bears squad to face the Blues on the day of the game but looks set to be involved this weekend having been named in the England A squad to face Ireland A at Ashton Gate next weekend along with clubmate George Kloska.

Lam said: “Oghre had a back niggle last weekend so it wasn’t worth a risk and he was only on the bench for Bedford anyway. He will be fine.”

Lam also revealed that winger Gabriel Ibitoye has suffered a setback in his rehabilitation from a hamstring injury having previously been targetting a return for this weekend’s derby clash.

Lam said: “He isn’t ready yet. His hamstring is fine, but in part of his return to play training when he was running, he just felt a slight strain on his calf. It’s good in that the injury has come at the right time and he will be able to hit the ground running in time for when we face Exeter in the Premiership.”