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Six debuts as Bristol Bears roll out the big guns to face Bath

By Online Editors
John Afoa is staying on at Bristol (Getty Images)

Six players will make their competitive debuts for the club when Bristol Bears kick off the Gallagher Premiership season on Friday against West Country rivals Bath.

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Pat Lam’s men face Bath in front of a club record crowd at Ashton Gate and the head coach hands maiden starts to Luke Daniels and Nic Stirzaker in the backline.

Meanwhile, in the pack, Yann Thomas, Harry Thacker and John Afoa form a new-look front row partnership, while George Smith is included at openside.

New Zealand international Steven Luatua will skipper the side for the round one West Country derby clash.

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Charles Piutau (shoulder) misses out, while another new arrival – Aly Muldowney (neck) – is also unavailable for selection.

Lam said: “It brings huge responsibility. We have to go out there and celebrate the work that we do on the training ground and put our teamwork into practice. Everybody is busting a gut to be involved at Ashton Gate.”

Lam selects a five forwards and three backs split on the replacements bench, with Jake Woolmore, Shaun Malton and Jake Armstrong all in line to make their competitive debuts.

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Bristol Bears team to face Bath Rugby at Ashton Gate on Friday, August 31st (7.45pm KO):

15. Luke Daniels
14. Luke Morahan
13. Will Hurrell
12. Tusi Pisi
11. Alapati Leiua
10. Ian Madigan
9. Nic Stirzaker
1. Yann Thomas
2. Harry Thacker
3. John Afoa
4. Ed Holmes
5. Chris Vui
6. Steve Luatua (c)
7. George Smith
8. Jordan Crane

Replacements: 16. Shaun Malton, 17. Jake Woolmore, 18. Jake Armstrong, 19. Joe Latta, 20. Jack Lam, 21. Andy Uren, 22. Callum Sheedy, 23. Ryan Edwards.

Unavailable: Jack Cosgrove (foot), Sione Faletau (calf), Aly Muldowney (neck), John Hawkins (thumb), Dan Thomas (knee), Sam Jeffries (head), James Dun (knee), Siale Piutau (dead leg), Mat Protheroe (knee), Aaron Chapman (achilles), Charles Piutau (shoulder).

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Bath’s line-up

Bath Rugby team to face Bristol Bears (appearances in brackets)

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1. Nathan Catt (153)
2. Jack Walker (17)
3. Henry Thomas (74)
4. Dave Attwood (136)
5. Matt Garvey (117)
6. Zach Mercer (36)
7. Sam Underhill (8)
8. Taulupe Faletau (30)

9. Chris Cook (112)
10. Rhys Priestland (57)
11. Joe Cokanasiga (debut)
12. Jamie Roberts (debut)
13. Jackson Willison (debut)
14. Semesa Rokoduguni (118)
15. Tom Homer (65)

Replacements

16. Tom Dunn (84)
17. Will Vaughan (3)
18. Anthony Perenise (100)
19. Elliott Stooke (61)
20. Francois Louw (115)
21. Max Green (9)
22. Freddie Burns (24)
23. Aled Brew (43)

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Bull Shark 2 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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