Team news: Northampton Saints vs Bristol Bears - GP R8

The Samoan is named among the system players for the round eight Gallagher Premiership clash as the Bears target a return to winning ways in the East Midlands.

Sam Lewis will make his first league start of the season alongside Fitz Harding and Magnus Bradbury in the back row, with Joe Joyce captaining the side from the second row.

Jake Woolmore, Harry Thacker and Max Lahiff make up the front row, while at scrum half there’s a start for Andy Uren.

Will Porter could make his Bears debuts from the bench, as could former Worcester Warriors tighthead prop Jay Tyack, who has joined on a trial period with immediate effect.

Bristol Bears team to play Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday (3pm KO):

15. Charles Piutau (68 apps), 14. Luke Morahan (103 apps), 13. Piers O’Conor (114 apps), 12. Sam Bedlow (53 apps), 11. Henry Purdy (42 apps), 10. Callum Sheedy (135 apps), 9. Andy Uren (138 apps); 1. Jake Woolmore (113 apps), 2. Harry Thacker (79 apps), 3. Max Lahiff (45 apps), 4. Joe Batley (22 apps), 5. Joe Joyce (c) (156 apps), 6. Magnus Bradbury (5 apps), 7. Sam Lewis (4 apps), 8. Fitz Harding (34 apps).

System players: 16. Will Capon (66 apps), 17. Yann Thomas (93 apps), 18. Jay Tyack (debut), 19. Chris Vui (99 apps), 20. Jake Heenan (70 apps), 21. Will Porter (debut), 22. AJ MacGinty (7 apps), 23. Jack Bates (28 apps).

Unavailable: Ellis Genge, Aristot Benz-Salomon, Kyle Sinckler, Jonathan Benz-Salomon, George Kloska, Jake Kerr, Steven Luatua, Sam Jeffries, Harry Randall, Semi Radradra, Siva Naulago, Gabriel Ibitoye, Toby Fricker.