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Bristol Bears v Northampton Saints
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Bristol Bears v Northampton Saints team news: Champions make two changes from opening day victory

Defending champions Northampton Saints will be looking to make it two from two at the start of the new season, as they travel to Ashton Gate to face Bristol Bears.

The Bears had a strong start to the new Prem Rugby season, securing an away with against Sale Sharks in their opener, as Pat Lam's side look to improve on a sixth place finish last term.

Phil Dowson's Saints also opened their season with a win, dismantling the Newcastle Red Bulls at Franklin's Gardens.

With both sides having the chance to continue their winning start to the season, this match could be an early season definer.

Bristol Bears v Northampton

Bristol Bears welcome back club legend Steven Luatua to the squad, with the Kiwi flanker joined in the back row by Ben Frondona and captain Fitz Harding.

Pedro Rubiolo and Joe Batley continue as the lock pairing, behind a front row of Jake Woolmore, Gabriel Oghre and George Kloska.

Harry Randall and AJ MacGinty make up the half back pairing, with James Williams and Bernhard Janse van Rensburg the centre partnership.

Tom Jordan, Louis Rees-Zammit and Gabriel Ibitoye complete a typically exciting Bristol Bears backline.

For the Saints, Tommy Freeman shifts to fullback for this weekend's contest, allowing Ollie Sleightholme to join the back three, alongside George Hendy - who features on the other wing.

Rory Hutchinson continues to partner captain Fraser Dingwall in midfield, just outside of a half back pairing of Fin Smith and Archie McParland.

The tight five remain unchanged, with Josh Taylor the only change in the pack, as he joins Josh Kemeny and Henry Pollock in the back row.

Bristol Bears team news

Starting XV: 15 Tom Jordan, 14 Louis Rees-Zammit, 13 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 12 James Williams, 11 Gabriel Ibitoye, 10 AJ MacGinty, 9 Harry Randall; 1 Jake Woolmore, 2 Gabriel Oghre, 3 George Kloska, 4 Pedro Rubiolo, 5 Joe Batley, 6 Steven Luatua, 7 Ben Grondona, 8 Fitz Harding (c).

Substitutes: 16 Tomas Gwilliam, 17 Lovejoy Chawatama, 18 Jimmy Halliwell, 19 George Taylor, 20 Joe Owen, 21 Kieran Marmion, 22 Max Pepper, 23 Luka Ivanishvili.

Northampton Saints team news

Starting XV: 15 Tommy Freeman, 14 Ollie Sleightholme, 13 Rory Hutchinson, 12 Fraser Dingwall (c), 11 George Hendy, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Archie McParland; 1 Emmanuel Iyogun, 2 Curtis Langdon, 3 Cleopas Kundiona, 4 Alex Coles, 5 Ed Prowse, 6 Josh Kemeny, 7 Josh Taylor, 8 Henry Pollock.

Substitutes: 16 Robbie Smith, 17 Danilo Fischetti, 18 Ion Neculai, 19 Tom Lockett, 20 Callum Chick, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Anthony Belleau, 23 James Pater.

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