Team news: Bristol Bears vs Crusaders

Team news: Bristol Bears vs Crusaders

Siva Naulago makes his first start of the season when Bristol Bears take on 12-time Super Rugby champions, Crusaders at Ashton Gate on Friday night (7.30pm KO).

The powerhouse wing, who made his first appearance of the season off the bench against Bath last time out, is the only back line change from that emphatic derby victory.

Pat Lam names an extended 26-man matchday squad for the blockbuster clash against the New Zealand based Super Rugby side, featuring 20-year-old Academy duo Sam Worsley and Paddy Pearce among the replacements.

Sam Grahamslaw starts at loosehead alongside Fred Davies and Kyle Sinckler in the front row, while Steven Luatua is named in the second row alongside Joe Batley. 22-year-old Joe Owen on the blindside flank, joining skipper Fitz Harding and number eight Magnus Bradbury in the back row.

Bristol Bears team to face Crusaders at Ashton Gate on Friday night (7.30pm KO):


15. Rich Lane (32 apps), 14. Noah Heward (16 apps), 13. Benhard Janse van Rensburg (18 apps), 12. James Williams (35 apps), 11. Siva Naulago (28 apps), 10. AJ MacGinty (31 apps), 9. Harry Randall (119 apps); 1. Sam Grahamslaw (8 apps), 2. Fred Davies (11 apps), 3. Kyle Sinckler (54 apps), 4. Steven Luatua (123 apps), 5. Joe Batley (57 apps), 6. Joe Owen (10 apps), 7. Fitz Harding (65 apps), 8. Magnus Bradbury (38 apps).

System players: 16.⁠ ⁠Tomas Gwilliam (1 apps), 17. Andrew Turner (8 apps), 18. Jonny Benz-Salomon (13 apps), 19. Ed Holmes (101 apps), 20. Paddy Pearce (6 apps), 21. Dan Thomas (143 apps), 22. Kieran Marmion (18 apps), 23. Sam Worsley (6 apps), 24, Kalaveti Ravouvou (6 apps), 25. Virimi Vakatawa (14 apps), 26. Gabriel Ibitoye (34 apps).


Unavailable: Ellis Genge, Jake Woolmore, Yann Thomas, George Kloska, Harry Thacker, Gabriel Oghre, Will Capon, Chris Vui, Santiago Grondona, Callum Sheedy, Jack Bates, Max Malins.

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