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Bristol change four, Saracens seven for top-table Premiership clash
By Liam Heagney
Leaders Bristol have named a starting XV showing four changes to take on the second-place Saracens who will arrive at Ashton Gate on Saturday with a selection containing seven alterations, including the absence of the injured Ben Earl, following their loss at Harlequins last Sunday.
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The Bears produced a memorable comeback at Sandy Park to defeat Exeter 40-35. England Autumn Nations Series squad picks Ellis Genge and Harry Randall, who played off the bench, have been restored as starters with Jake Woolmore and Kieran Marmion moving to the replacements.
Failed fitness tests account for their other two changes with Steven Luatua and Benhard Janse van Rensburg injured. Both are expected to to be available for next weekend’s six clash with champions Northampton. In the meantime, their places have gone to James Dun and the recently contracted Toby Fricker.
Dun packs down at blindside, with Fricker’s inclusion on the right wing seeing Jack Bates switch into midfield to partner Joe Jenkins. The fit-again hooker Harry Thacker is named as a sub.
Beaten 10-17 at Harlequins, Saracens – who have seven players in Steve Borthwick’s England squad – have made five changes to their pack and two in the backs. Theo Dan and Hugh Tizard will start with Jamie George and Nick Isiekwe, who is poised for his 150th club appearance, now covering from the bench.
In a fully changed back row, Theo McFarland, Toby Knight and Tom Willis are in for Juan Martin Gonzalez, Andy Onyeama-Christie and Earl. The London club’s media release explained: “Juan Martin Gonzalez was ruled out after injuring his bicep, Andy Onyeama-Christie will have surgery on Monday and Ben Earl also failed to recover from a minor knock picked up at The Stoop.”
The recall of Rotimi Segun to left wing sees Elliot Daly move to full-back and Alex Goode from 15 to No10 with Fergus Burke missing due to a “minor” hamstring injury. Josh Hallett is also named as the starting inside centre with Nick Tompkins on the bench.
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Bristol 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 and Benhard, it means deserved starts for academy trio James Dun, Joe Jenkins and Jack Bates.
“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 match day squad, we are all excited for these players and their families.”
BRISTOL: 15. Rich Lane; 14. Toby Fricker, 13. Jack Bates, 12. Joe Jenkins, 11. Gabriel Ibitoye; 10. AJ MacGinty, 9. Harry Randall; 1. Ellis Genge, 2. Gabriel Oghre, 3. Max Lahiff, 4. Josh Caulfield, 5. Joe Batley, 6. James Dun, 7. Santiago Grondona, 8. Fitz Harding (capt). Reps: 16. Harry Thacker, 17. Jake Woolmore, 18. George Kloska, 19. Joe Owen, 20. Benjamin Grondona, 21. Kieran Marmion, 22. Sam Worsley, 23. Benjamin Elizalde.
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SARACENS: 15. Elliot Daly; 14. Tobias Elliott, 13. Alex Lozowski, 12. Josh Hallett, 11. Rotimi Segun; 10. Alex Goode, 9. Ivan van Zyl; 1. Rhys Carre, 2. Theo Dan, 3. Marco Riccioni, 4. Maro Itoje (capt), 5. Hugh Tizard, 6. Theo McFarland, 7. Toby Knight, 8. Tom Willis. Reps: 16. Jamie George, 17. Phil Brantingham, 18. Alec Clarey, 19. Nick Isiekwe, 20. Nathan Michelow, 21. Gareth Simpson, 22. Nick Tompkins, 23. Brandon Jackson.
