Steven Luatua passed fit for Bristol's season opener

Bristol Bears veteran Steven Luatua has overcome a wrist injury sustained in pre-season to make his side’s starting XV against Newcastle Falcons in their opening match of the Gallagher Premiership season.

The Samoa international will start at blindside flanker on Friday night at Kingston Park as he embarks on his eighth season with the Bears.

Luatua will be partnered in the back row with Jake Heenan at openside and captain Fitz Harding at No.8 as the club wait for summer signing Viliame Mata to recover from a hamstring injury.

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Bristol have seen plenty of change in the back row over the summer, with Magnus Bradbury and Dan Thomas both leaving.

The club have recently issued an update regarding the Fijian’s recovery, saying: “Viliame Mata continues his rehabilitation on a hamstring injury, having undergone successful surgery. The Fijian back rower will be out of action until November.”

Fixture

Gallagher Premiership

Newcastle

3 - 24

Full-time

Bristol

All Stats and Data

Bristol Bears XV
15. Max Malins
14. Siva Naulago
13. Benhard Janse van Rensburg
12. James Williams
11. Gabriel Ibitoye
10. AJ MacGinty
9. Harry Randall
1. Ellis Genge
2. Harry Thacker
3. Max Lahiff
4. James Dun
5. Joe Batley
6. Steven Luatua
7. Jake Heenan
8. Fitz Harding (c)

Replacements
16. Gabriel Oghre
17. Jake Woolmore
18. George Kloska
19. Josh Caulfield
20. Benjamin Grondona
21. Kieran Marmion
22. Joe Jenkins
23. Rich Lane