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.

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."

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