Team news: Bristol Bears vs Newcastle Falcons - GP R17

For our 𝗡𝗛𝗦 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗲𝘀 fixture, we called upon @NHSuk staff from across the region to help us announce the team 🌈

Here's your #BristolBears line-up for 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 🌃#BRIvNEW | #BristolBears pic.twitter.com/USQpdvZ5Ti

— Bristol Bears 🐻 (@BristolBears) February 16, 2023

Director of Rugby Pat Lam makes two changes from the narrow defeat at Saracens, with Noah Heward coming in at full-back and Jake Woolmore starting in the front row.

Steven Luatua captains the side from the blindside flank, while at half-back, Harry Randall and AJ MacGinty link up with Callum Sheedy is absent with a facial injury.

Among the replacements, there are potential Premiership debuts for hooker Fred Davies and Academy centre Harry Ascherl, who impressed in the cup victory over Sale last time out.

Bristol Bears team to take on Newcastle Falcons at Ashton Gate on Friday night (7.45pm KO):

15. Noah Heward (3 apps), 14. Siva Naulago (19 apps), 13. Semi Radradra (46 apps), 12. James Williams (7 apps), 11. Gabriel Ibitoye (9 apps), 10. AJ MacGinty (16 apps), 9. Harry Randall (93 apps); 1. Jake Woolmore (125 apps), 2. Harry Thacker (92 apps), 3. Max Lahiff (59 apps), 4. Joe Batley (34 apps), 5. Chris Vui (109 apps), 6. Steven Luatua (c) (106 apps), 7. Fitz Harding (43 apps), 8. Magnus Bradbury (14 apps).

System players: 16. Fred Davies (5 apps), 17. Yann Thomas (102 apps), 18. George Kloska (20 apps), 19. Ed Holmes (94 apps), 20. Jake Heenan (86 apps), 21. Andy Uren (151 apps), 22. Harry Ascherl (6 apps), 23. Ioan Lloyd (71 apps).

Unavailable: Ellis Genge, Will Capon, Kyle Sinckler, John Hawkins, Morgan Eames, Will Porter, Callum Sheedy, Joe Jenkins, Piers O’Conor, Jack Bates, Toby Fricker, Deago Bailey, Charles Piutau.