Genge and Randall return for Saracens clash
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Ellis Genge and Harry Randall return to the starting XV for Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership round five clash with Saracens at Ashton Gate on Saturday (3.05pm KO, live on TNT Sports).
The England duo, who this week were named in Steve Borthwick’s squad for the Autumn Nations Series, start at loosehead and scrum half respectively for the top-of-the-table clash.
Pat Lam names five Academy products in his starting XV and another five among the replacements, with 23-year-old Jack Bates and 21-year-old Joe Jenkins teaming up in the midfield alongside the experienced AJ MacGinty.
Benhard Janse van Rensburg and Steven Luatua miss out after failing late fitness tests, with both players expected to return for the round six clash with Northampton Saints next Friday night.
James Dun starts on the blindside, while in the back three there’s a start for the returning Toby Fricker, who signed a short-term deal last week.
Among the replacements, there’s a return to action for Harry Thacker, who will make his 116th appearance for the club on Saturday.
Director of Rugby, Pat Lam, said: “Playing Saracens is always a huge test and even more so off the back of their defeat last week, so we know they will be fully fired up to be at their best this weekend and we understand that challenge.
“But what excites me the most is the opportunity for further development for our young players to play in a game like this, where they will be tested. With the minor injuries to Steven (Luatua) and Benhard (Janse van Rensburg) it means deserved starts for Academy trio James Dun (on the blindside) and young Joe Jenkins and Jack Bates in the midfield.
“This is the reason we reduced the squad size to its lowest ever – to give these opportunities to our young players – and with 10 current or former Academy players in the matchday squad, we’re all excited for these players and their families.”
Bristol Bears team to face Saracens at Ashton Gate on Saturday (3.05pm KO, live on TNT Sports):
15. Rich Lane (39 apps), 14. Toby Fricker (32 apps), 13. Jack Bates (37 apps), 12. Joe Jenkins (15 apps), 11. Gabriel Ibitoye (45 apps), 10. AJ MacGinty (41 apps), 9. Harry Randall (129 apps); 1. Ellis Genge (48 apps), 2. Gabriel Oghre (22 apps), 3. Max Lahiff (91 apps), 4. Josh Caulfield (27 apps), 5. Joe Batley (67 apps), 6. James Dun (37 apps), 7. Santiago Grondona (2 app), 8. Fitz Harding (c) (76 apps).
System players: 16. Harry Thacker (115 apps), 17. Jake Woolmore (153 apps), 18. George Kloska (46 apps), 19. Joe Owen (15 apps), 20. Benjamin Grondona (5 apps), 21. Kieran Marmion (28 apps), 22. Sam Worsley (7 apps), 23. Benjamin Elizalde (1 app).
Unavailable: Steele Barker, George Taylor, Steven Luatua, Viliame Mata, James Williams, Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Noah Heward, Siva Naulago, Max Malins.
