Bristol geared up for Saints challenge

Kyle Sinckler will make his 50^th competitive appearance for the club when Bristol Bears take on Newcastle Falcons at Kingston Park on Friday night in round nine of the Gallagher Premiership (7.45pm KO).

Pat Lam makes just one enforced change from the side that beat Gloucester at Ashton Gate in round eight, with Jake Woolmore replacing the injured Ellis Genge in the front row.

Steven Luatua makes his first away appearance of the season, lining up in back-row alongside captain Fitz Harding and Scotland international Magnus Bradbury.

On the bench, Noah Heward is named in the number 23 shirt, while scrum-half Kieran Marmion returns from a short-term injury layoff.

15. Max Malins (23 apps), 14. Gabriel Ibitoye (29 apps), 13. Virimi Vakatawa (9 apps), 12. Benhard Janse van Rensburg (12 apps), 11. Rich Lane (27 apps), 10. Callum Sheedy (162 apps), 9. Harry Randall (113 apps); 1. Jake Woolmore (141 apps), 2. Harry Thacker (111 apps), 3. Kyle Sinckler (49 apps), 4. James Dun (24 apps), 5. Joe Batley (51 apps), 6. Steven Luatua (117 apps), 7. Fitz Harding (62 apps) (c), 8. Magnus Bradbury (31 apps).

System players: 16. Gabriel Oghre (6 apps), 17. Max Lahiff (74 apps), 18. George Kloska (39 apps) 19. Josh Caulfield (13 apps), 20. Dan Thomas (139 apps), 21. Kieran Marmion (12 apps), 22. James Williams (29 apps), 23. Noah Heward (11 apps).

Unavailable: Ellis Genge, Yann Thomas, Chris Vui, Santiago Grondona, AJ MacGinty, Siva Naulago.