Match Preview: Bristol Bears v Northampton Saints

Northampton Saints returning to Gallagher Premiership Rugby action looking to consolidate their place at the top of the table with a trip to take on Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate.

With ten straight wins in all competitions, Phil Dowson’s side sit seven points clear at the top of the table heading into The Run-In.

But they face a tricky task away to Bears, who have won four of their last five in the league, most recently putting up a half-century of points on Bath Rugby in a West Country derby.

Currently in eighth, Bears sit six points off The Play-Offs and know that they cannot afford to slip up at home against the leaders.

Ellis Genge is back from international duty on the bench for the home side, while Saints have new England international Fin Smith at fly-half, combining with England Under-20s stand out Archie McParland, who makes his first league start.

TV: Live on TNT Sports, kick-off 7.45pm

Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys

Assistant Referees: Tom Foley, John Meredith

TMO: Rowan Kitt

Teams

Bristol Bears: 15 Noah Heward, 14 Gabriel Ibitoye, 13 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 12 James Williams, 11 Siva Naulago, 10 AJ MacGinty, 9 Harry Randall; 1 Yann Thomas, 2 Gabriel Oghre, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 4 James Dun, 5 Joe Batley, 6 Steven Luatua, 7 Fitz Harding (c), 8 Magnus Bradbury

Replacements: 16 Fred Davies, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Max Lahiff, 19 Joe Owen, 20 Jake Heenan, 21 Kieran Marmion, 22 Kalaveti Ravouvou, 23 Max Malins

Northampton Saints: 15 George Hendy, 14 James Ramm, 13 Burger Odendaal, 12 Rory Hutchinson, 11 Ollie Sleightholme, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Archie McParland, 1 Emmanuel Iyogun, 2 Sam Matavesi, 3 Trevor Davison, 4 Temo Mayanavanua, 5 Alex Coles, 6 Courtney Lawes, 7 Lewis Ludlam (c), 8 Sam Graham

Replacements: 16 Curtis Langdon, 17 Alex Waller, 18 Paul Hill, 19 Tom Lockett, 20 Juarno Augustus, 21 Jake Garside, 22 Fraser Dingwall, 23 Tom Litchfield