Bristol Bears are ready for Saints opener

Bristol Bears director of Rugby, Pat Lam, said: “We were very pleased to get a win in round one against a good Leicester side and in front of our own supporters. The nature and quality of the Gallagher Premiership means the challenges keep on coming and we know we’ll need to be at our best against a dangerous Saints team this weekend.

“It’s always an entertaining game against Saints because of the willingness from both teams to play attacking rugby with a no-fear approach. It’s a good surface and a great crowd at Franklin’s Gardens, so we’re excited for the game on Saturday.”

Bristol Bears team to face Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday (3pm KO):

15. Rich Lane (19 apps), 14. Noah Heward (6 apps), 13. Virimi Vakatawa (1 apps), 12. Benhard Janse van Rensburg (4 apps), 11. Gabriel Ibitoye (21 apps), 10. Callum Sheedy (154 apps), 9. Harry Randall (105 apps); 1. Jake Woolmore (134 apps), 2. Harry Thacker (103 apps), 3. Max Lahiff (69 apps), 4. James Dun (17 apps), 5. Joe Batley (43 apps), 6. Fitz Harding (c) (55 apps), 7. Dan Thomas (131 apps), 8. Magnus Bradbury (25 apps).

System players: 16. Will Capon (75 apps), 17. Sam Grahamslaw (debut), 18. George Kloska (32 apps), 19. Josh Caulfield (5 apps), 20. Jake Heenan (96 apps), 21. Kieran Marmion (5 apps), 22. James Williams (21 apps), 23. Piers O’Conor (123 apps).

Unavailable: Ellis Genge, Yann Thomas, Kyle Sinckler, Jay Tyack, Gabriel Oghre, Chris Vui, Steven Luatua, Santiago Grondona, AJ MacGinty, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Siva Naulago, Jack Bates, Max Malins.