Bristol Bears will be kicking off the Allianz PWR season at Ashton Gate tomorrow against Sale Sharks.
Included in the team is England lock Abbie Ward who is making her return 17-weeks after giving birth to her and head coach Dave Ward’s first child, Hallie, who was born in July.
When she announced her pregnancy in January, she wrote in a post on Instagram: “I can’t wait to have my mini-me pitchside next season and show that athletes can be mums too.”
Husband Dave Ward told BBC Radio Bristol: “She’s got to earn her space.
“[There are] difficult conversations from our perspective,
“It’s not easy on both sides of the coin, and as a coach I have to be fair to the team and I have to be fair to Abbie as well.
“What she’ll get either way this weekend is what she’s earned.”
Bristol Bears have won each of their previous six Women’s Premiership games against the Manchester team.
Their last two such wins each came by margins of just five points or fewer, while Sale Sharks have won each of their last two away games in the league after losing six in a row previously.
The Bears have also won each of their last three Women’s Premiership home games.
Kick off is at Ashton Gate tomorrow at 12.30.
