England lock Abbie Ward is in contention to feature in Bristol's Women's Premiership Rugby opener against Sale on Saturday, 17 weeks after giving birth.

Ward has been capped 61 times by England and last played in November 2022, in the World Cup final.

She had targeted the start of the new domestic season as a potential target to return to action.

"This is a big week training for her, I can't understate that," Bears head coach Dave Ward - also Abbie's husband - told BBC Radio Bristol.

"She's done a couple of weeks of contact now but she's probably not done it as much as she wanted to in a 15-on-15 setting."

Ward is the first contracted Red Roses player to have a baby since the team went professional in 2019.

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."

The second row moved to Bristol in 2021 and signed a new contract in March, through to the summer of 2024. At the time the Bears co-captain said she is "yet to play" her best rugby.

Bristol open the new Premiership season against the Sharks at Ashton Gate (12:30 GMT).

Dave Ward said: "She's got to earn her space.

"[There are] difficult conversations from our perspective, certainly a few weeks ago in terms of the way that Delaney [Burns], Hollie [Cunningham], Chris [Balogun] and Nicola [Beet] were playing in the cup - outstanding, outstanding performances all round.

"So for her to come in and get a shot at either starting or on the bench this weekend, she's got to train well. She has done that, all credit to Abbie she has.

"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.

"If I gave her selection she'd hate me forever as a coach and as a husband, so she's definitely not going to be given anything. What she'll get either way this weekend is what she's earned."

'A special run-out'

Ward said the idea is for Hallie to hopefully come out on to the pitch with Abbie before kick-off, which would be "special".

"If it wasn't my wife I'd probably be making more of a deal of it, if it was any other player, but because she's my wife I kind of don't.

"But actually I'm incredibly proud of her and I'm just amazed by her, really. Obviously I get to see her first-hand all the work she's put in."

BBC Radio Bristol will have commentary of Bristol Bears Women v Sale Sharks Women on Saturday, 18 November. Kick-off at 12:30 GMT.