Harry Byrne will make his first Bristol Bears start in Sunday’s Investec Champions Cup clash with Benetton at Ashton Gate (3.15pm KO, live on Premier Sport).
The Irish international is named at fly half for the round three showdown against the Italian URC side, having joined on a three-month loan deal from Leinster last week.
Byrne partners countryman Kieran Marmion at half back, with Kalaveti Ravouvou coming into the midfield to join James Williams and Benjamin Elizalde getting the nod at full back.
There are six changes in the forward pack with Bears Centurions Yann Thomas and Harry Thacker joining Max Lahiff for his 99th cap in a new front row, while Joe Batley, Joe Owen and Santiago Grondona all making their return from injury.
Bristol Bears team to face Benetton in the Investec Champions Cup on Sunday (3.15pm KO, live on Premier Sport):
15. Benjamin Elizalde (10 apps), 14. Jack Bates (48 apps), 13. Kalaveti Ravouvou (18 apps), 12. James Williams (47 apps), 11. Noah Heward (22 apps), 10. Harry Byrne (1 app), 9. Kieran Marmion (38 apps); 1. Yann Thomas (120 apps), 2. Harry Thacker (125 apps), 3. Max Lahiff (98 apps), 4. Joe Owen (24 apps), 5. Joe Batley (70 apps), 6. Santiago Grondona (6 apps), 7. Fitz Harding (c) (84 apps), 8. Viliame Mata (6 apps).
System players: 16. Gabriel Oghre (30 apps), 17. Ellis Genge (53 apps), 18. George Kloska (53 apps), 19. Steele Barker (1 app), 20. Steven Luatua (141 apps), 21. Harry Randall (136 apps), 22. Benhard Janse van Rensburg (37 apps), 23. Rich Lane (48 apps).
Unavailable: Jake Woolmore, Sam Grahamslaw, Lovejoy Chawatama, Josh Caulfield, James Dun, Jamie Hodgson, George Taylor, Kofi Cripps, AJ MacGinty, Gabriel Ibitoye, Siva Naulago, Max Malins.
