Max Malins will make his first appearance for the Bears since 2021 when they take on Sale Sharks at Ashton Gate in round five of the Gallagher Premiership (2.30pm KO).
Malins and Kyle Sinckler return from World Cup duty to take their place in the starting XV for Saturday’s visit of the Sharks, while there’s also a debut for hooker Gabriel Oghre who makes his comeback from injury in the front row.
Harry Thacker switches to openside flanker alongside skipper Fitz Harding and Magnus Bradbury, while Josh Caulfield starts in the second row alongside Joe Batley.
Harry Randall comes back into the side at scrum half, while in the back three, Rich Lane shifts to the wing with Malins lining up at full back.
Director of Rugby, Pat Lam, said: “It’s great to be back at Ashton Gate for what is a traditionally tough contest against Sale Sharks, who are always a difficult team to beat.
“But we’ve prepared well on a short turnaround and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
Bristol Bears team to face Sale Sharks at Ashton Gate on Saturday, November 11Th (2.30pm KO):
15. Max Malins (19 apps), 14. Noah Heward (9 apps), 13. Virimi Vakatawa (4 apps), 12. Benhard Janse van Rensburg (7 apps), 11. Rich Lane (22 apps), 10. Callum Sheedy (157 apps), 9. Harry Randall (108 apps); 1. Jake Woolmore (137 apps), 2. Gabriel Oghre (debut), 3. Kyle Sinckler (44 apps), 4. Josh Caulfield (8 apps), 5. Joe Batley (46 apps), 6. Magnus Bradbury (28 apps), 7. Harry Thacker (106 apps), 8. Fitz Harding (c) (58 apps).
System players: 16. Will Capon (78 apps), 17. Sam Grahamslaw (1 app), 18. George Kloska (35 apps), 19. James Dun (20 apps), 20. Dan Thomas (134 apps), 21. Kieran Marmion (8 apps), 22. James Williams (23 apps), 23. Gabriel Ibitoye (24 apps).
Unavailable: Ellis Genge, Yann Thomas, Jay Tyack, Jono Benz-Salomon, Chris Vui, Steven Luatua, Santiago Grondona, AJ MacGinty, Siva Naulago, Jack Bates.
