Pat Lam makes five changes for Kingston Park visit

Bristol Bears Director of Rugby Pat Lam has made five changes to his side that defeat London Irish last weekend.

The Bears head to Newcastle on Friday night with Jack Bates returning to the starting line-up at outside centre

Rich Lane switches to full back for the Bears with Henry Purdy earning a start on the wing.

Piers O’Conor switches to inside centre to partner Bates, while there’s a first start of the season for Andy Uren at scrum half.

In the pack, Jake Woolmore replaces Ellis Genge at loose head with Yann Thomas returning to the squad among the system players.

Bristol Bears team to play Newcastle Falcons at Kingston Park on Friday night (7.45pm KO):

15. Rich Lane (8 apps), 14. Luke Morahan (101 apps), 13. Jack Bates (23 apps), 12. Piers O'Conor (111 apps), 11. Henry Purdy (42 apps); 10. AJ MacGinty (3 apps), 9. Andy Uren (138 apps); 1. Jake Woolmore (111 apps), 2. Will Capon (62 apps), 3. Kyle Sinckler (34 apps), 4. Ed Holmes (88 apps), 5. Joe Joyce (154 apps), 6. Chris Vui (96 apps), 7. Jake Heenan (c) (68 apps), 8. Magnus Bradbury (3 apps).

System players: 16. Harry Thacker (77 apps), 17. Yann Thomas (91 apps), 18. Max Lahiff (43 apps), 19. John Hawkins (37 apps), 20. Dan Thomas (110 apps), 21. Harry Randall (88 apps), 22. Callum Sheedy (135 apps), 23. Sam Bedlow (50 apps).

Unavailable: Ellis Genge, Steven Luatua, Sam Jeffries, Sam Lewis, Fitz Harding, Semi Radradra, Siva Naulago, Toby Fricker, Gabriel Ibitoye.