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Bristol change four, Saracens seven for top-table Premiership clash

England pick Ben Earl won't play for Saracens at Bristol (Photo by Bob Bradford/CameraSport via Getty Images)

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.

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      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.

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      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.

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      P
      PL 55 minutes ago
      Lions Tour Aussie takes: Bigger is better, the stars who failed to fire

      I find it interesting that journalists who have done nothing in rugby comment on selections & coaching like they are experts

      Concussive injury’s will remove insurance cover from the game unless their is strict application of the laws designed to remove MND Parkinson’s and CTE from the game


      Head on head I saw red to Adam Coleman as tackler for Irish while unconscious on a stretcher - concussions occur without twitching on the ground or the wobbly boot - I know I had maybe 20 from rugby


      The officiating of last feet is non existent

      The lack of effective wrap by Lions front rower & that decision had a close relationship with ordure in a toilet

      A head on head tackle red for Coleman not even penalty lead to a try in a phase or 2


      Powys v Evans lead to a £> 2 mill verdict against the ref personally special leveraged to Hiuse of Lords

      Refs will stop reffing with no insurance then no game


      About 5 years ago 4 or 5 French colts died from head hits in elite club games - that led to below sternum law - hamlets honoured in breach not observance

      Last feet non existent - enforcement favour flowing rugby nor lions meat grinder forwards get momentum and puck & drive NZ Vowel noise


      The UK Class Action could be very well be lost WRC will try every dirty trick in case they already used dial a neuros to argue the unarguable is law gossip


      I reffed ref coached & assessed for ruffly 17 seasons


      The application of laws is like a zig zag on speed

      Line out laws not enforced scrums tight pulling loose down one side mirror on other side elbow pointing to ground stretch marks on jersey

      Der moment the refs need to go Soec Savers

      My bet unless they stop lack of intestinal fortitude game management


      Yellow every time head contact or above sternum


      Needs sterner GMGs material impact removed set piece caterpillar remove

      Last feet to last feet + 1 m


      When I reffed I kept them well apart - hated me till they got over yellow and they actually had fun & complemented me post game backs had room and pick and drive had momentum


      As for intentional foul play like tackle in air auto red no replacement 100,000 fine player 250,000 club


      Treble it for international 26 week suspension & it’s disappear over night

      25 were scrum for dissent


      Penalty all this rubbish shots at opponents after error


      All the s.ite would disappear


      The pathetic unsportsmanlike behaviour would lead to standards


      Remember Les Boyd’s penalty re Brohman -if that is the way we treat foul play but while foul play with potential serious injury with a feather duster like we are the game is destined to no insurance following that no refs cause would you risk bankruptcy like Powys v Evans

      1 Go to comments
      S
      Soliloquin 2 hours ago
      Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

      For Fischer, many people in France are still doubting him - it’s the first time he has a full season (31 games). Before, he was always injured at some point. He’s 27, so not the youngest, and you have a younger Boudehent or Jégou behind.

      His physicality is incredible, but he didn’t prove he’s got hands. He just proved he was able to defend like a beast.

      But you know, even Cros has improved his handling skills lately, so it’s never too late!

      And he will play the Champions Cup with a solid Bayonne side, so let’s see!


      I don’t agree with ‘only Fischer’: Brennan proved he’s a great 4/7 utility player, and Galthié likes those very much (Woki or Flament). He’s 23, playing for Toulouse with high concurrence, so the prospect is good. I rate him higher than Auradou, who had a few games in the 6 Nations.

      For Depoortère, he had a more silent season than the previous one - injured at the worst moment during the Autumn Tests series - but came back strong with a Champions Cup and a solid partnership with Moefana. What could save him would be to start playing as a 12 when Moefana isn’t there, bulking up and become the new Jauzion.

      But he’s 22 and an incredible talent at 13. His height makes me think he had more potential than your fan favorite Costes or the utility player that is Gailleton.


      As for Montagne or Mallez, with the lack of quality in props, they could find a spot!

      Especially Mallez who’s got a good spot to get behind Baille at Toulouse. Neti isn’t the youngest and hasn’t an international level.


      And again, as Ugo Mola said, you never play with your best team.

      So 30-32 player is more of a 38-40, so you need back-ups.

      France knows very well how useful they can be during RWCs.

      237 Go to comments
      S
      Soliloquin 2 hours ago
      Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

      Hastoy was a good prospect before the 2023 RWC, he was the fly-half who led La Rochelle to the victory in the Champions Cup final in Dublin against Leinster.

      But he made it to the squad only because Ntamack got his ACL.

      He played against Uruguay, which a terribly poor game by the French side, and since then he declined a bit, alongside his club.

      Under the pressure of Reus and West at 10, he regained some credit at the end of the season (among all a drop at the 81st minute of a game).

      He’s quite good everywhere, but not outstanding.

      He doesn’t have the nerves, the defense and the tactical brain of Ntamack, the leadership and the creativity of Ramos or the exceptional attacking skills of Jalibert.


      I really hope that:

      -Ntamack will get his knee back. The surgery went well. He wasn’t the most elusive player in the world, but he was capable of amazing rushes like the one against NZ in 2021 or the Brennus-winning try in 2023.

      -Jalibert will continue to improve his defense. He started working hard since March (after his defensive disaster against England) with a XIII specialist, and I’ve seen great moments, especially against Ntamack in the SF of the Champions Cup. It’s never too late. And it would be a great signal for Galthié.

      -Hastoy will build up his partnership with Le Garrec, that La Rochelle will start a new phase with them and Niniashvili, Alldritt, Atonio, Boudehent, Jegou, Bosmorin, Bourgarit, Nowell, Wardi, Daunivucu, Kaddouri, Pacôme…

      237 Go to comments
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