Team news: Bristol Rugby vs Doncaster Knights

Friday, October 20th 2017

Highly rated England U18 duo Will Capon and Charlie Powell could make their competitive debuts in the B&I Cup clash with Doncaster Knights on Sunday (2pm KO).

Ten aged 24 and under in starting XV
George Perkins set for competitive debut
Seven current or former Academy players in starting line-up
Capon and Powell listed among replacements

The Bristol Grammar School students are listed among the replacements for the Ashton Gate encounter.

Bristol make six changes from the side that recorded an opening win in the competition last weekend at Sardis Road.

Winger George Perkins is set for his first outing since joining from Saracens in the summer, while Callum Sheedy, James Newey and Ryan Glynn are also included.

Jack Cosgrove and Tyler Gendall are named in the front row, while Bristol University duo Ben Gompels and Dave Watchorn both start as Irish’s men go in search of back-to-back Cup wins.

Academy Forwards Coach Mark Irish said: “We were delighted with the attitude and commitment on show from our players in last week’s win over Cardiff Premiership Select.

“The challenge now is to back it up against a disciplined Doncaster team who will be looking to end our unbeaten streak. Once again, we’ve selected a young squad of hungry, talented players, some of whom have not experienced playing at Ashton Gate.

“They will be eager to show exactly what they can do in front of the home supporters.”

Academy props Tom Rowland and Nick English are named in the 22-man squad and could make their first competitive outings of the season.

Bristol Rugby team to face Doncaster Knights at Ashton Gate on Sunday, 22 October (2pm KO):

15. Jack Wallace; 14. Ryan Edwards, 13. James Newey, 12. Will Hurrell, 11. George Perkins; 10. Callum Sheedy, 9. Ryan Glynn; 1. Jack Cosgrove, 2. Ben Gompels (Bristol University), 3. Tyler Gendall, 4. Joe Batley, 5. Ehize Ehizode, 6. James Dun, 7. Dave Watchorn (Bristol University), 8. Nick Fenton-Wells (c).

Replacements: 16. Will Capon, 17. Tom Rowland, 18. Nick English, 19. Jack Capon, 20. Reiss Cullen, 21. Charlie Powell, 22. Aaron Chapman.

UNAVAILABLE: Max Crumpton (knee), Ryan Bevington (shoulder), Ollie Dawe (hamstring), Sione Faletau (foot), Jordon Liney (ankle), John Hawkins (knee), Joe Latta (ankle), Nick Haining (knee), Jordan Crane (knee), Jack Lam (shoulder), Sam Bedlow (ankle), Siale Piutau (calf), Jack Tovey (knee).