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The Bristol team to face Championship side Hartpury RFC will leave your jaw on the floor
By RugbyPass
Big money Championship side Bristol have selected a star studded XV to face Hartpury in the first match of their Greene King IPA Championship campaign versus Hartpury on Sunday.
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The side includes among their number an All Black, a Wallaby, as well as England, Ireland, Wales and Samoan internationals.
Australian international Luke Morahan will make his first competitive outing the back three, while Ireland international Ian Madigan is named at fly-half.
In the pack, Steven Luatua is listed at blindside flanker for his debut, while Nick Haining, Sione Faletau and Dan Thomas are also set for first competitive appearances. Joe Latta will skipper the side from the second row on his competitive debut.
Head Coach Pat Lam said: “We’ve prepared for Sunday’s clash with Hartpury with a real energy and intensity – it’s been our primary focus throughout the pre-season campaign.
“Congratulations to the guys that will be making their first competitive outings for the club, we’re all relishing the prospect of playing at Ashton Gate in front of our passionate home supporters.”
New signing Mat Protheroe is included among the replacements, as well as highly-rated Academy prospects Billy Searle and Tyler Gendall.
Bristol Rugby team to face Hartpury RFC on Sunday, 3 September at Ashton Gate (3pm KO):
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15. Jordan Williams; 14. Luke Morahan, 13. Will Hurrell, 12. Tusi Pisi, 11. Tom Varndell; 10. Ian Madigan, 9. Rhodri Williams; 1. Ryan Bevington, 2. Jason Harris-Wright, 3. Sione Faletau, 4. Sam Jeffries, 5. Joe Latta (c), 6. Steven Luatua, 7. Dan Thomas, 8. Nick Haining.
Replacements: 16. Max Crumpton, 17. Soane Tonga’uiha, 18. Tyler Gendall, 19. Jordan Crane, 20. Ryan Glynn, 21. Billy Searle, 22. Mat Protheroe.
