Team news: Doncaster Knights vs Bristol United

• Four internationals in starting line-up for Cup clash
• Jordan Crane skippers the side at Castle Park
• Joe Latta, Nick Haining and Tom Varndell back from injury
• Record try-scorer David Lemi starts in backline

Pat Lam names a strong side for the Castle Park clash as the visitors look to end a run of three successive defeats in the competition.

Will Hurrell and Jack Tovey – both of whom penned new deals in December – are included in a backline alongside the club’s record try-scorer David Lemi and Premiership record try scorer Tom Varndell.

In the pack, Nick Haining (shoulder) and Joe Latta (ankle) recover from injuries to make their first outings since September, while Jordan Crane skippers the side.

Assistant coach Conor McPhillips said: “The guys are refreshed following a week’s break and everybody is raring to go for Saturday’s game.

“We want to start the new year with a positive performance and Castle Park is one of the toughest places to go in the competition, so we will need to be prepared for the challenge that awaits us.”

Bristol United to face Doncaster Knights at Castle Park on Saturday, 13 January (2.30pm KO):

15. Mat Protheroe; 14. David Lemi, 13. Jack Tovey, 12. Will Hurrell, 11. Tom Varndell; 10. Callum Sheedy, 9. Andy Uren; 1. Jack Cosgrove, 2. Nick Fenton-Wells, 3. Sione Faletau, 4. Joe Batley, 5. Joe Latta, 6. Nick Haining, 7. Sam Graham (Chippenham RFC), 8. Jordan Crane (c).

Replacements: 16. Ben Gompels, 17. Jack O’Connell, 18. Ollie Dawe, 19. Giorgi Nemsadze, 20. Ryan Glynn, 21. Billy Searle, 22. Ryan Edwards.

UNAVAILABLE: Max Crumpton (knee), Tyler Gendall (knee), Gaston Cortes (calf), John Hawkins (knee), Dan Tuohy (shoulder), Ehize Ehizode (shoulder), James Dun (knee), Thretton Palamo (foot).