Team news: Saracens vs Bristol Bears - GP R16

Friday, January 27th 2023

Steven Luatua returns from injury to captain Bristol Bears as they travel to the StoneX Stadium to take on league leaders Saracens on Saturday (3pm KO).

Steven Luatua returns to captain the side
Gabriel Ibitoye back in the starting XV
Andy Uren set for 150th competitive appearance for the club

The skipper lines up alongside Jake Heenan and Magnus Bradbury in the back row, with Joe Batley and Chris Vui in the engine room.

With Ellis Genge and Kyle Sinckler away on Six Nations duty with England, Yann Thomas and Max Lahiff start either side of Harry Thacker in the front row.

Gabriel Ibitoye is recalled in the back three after recovering from injury, while James Williams makes his first Premiership start for the club in the midfield.

On the bench, Andy Uren is set for his 150^th competitive appearance for the club – the 12^th player to hit the milestone and the second youngest.

Bristol Bears team to face Saracens at the StoneX Stadium on Saturday (3pm KO):

15. Rich Lane (15 apps), 14. Siva Naulago (18 apps), 13. Semi Radradra (45 apps), 12. James Williams (5 apps), 11. Gabriel Ibitoye (8 apps), 10. AJ MacGinty (15 apps), 9. Harry Randall (92 apps); 1. Yann Thomas (101 apps), 2. Harry Thacker (91 apps), 3. Max Lahiff (58 apps), 4. Joe Batley (33 apps), 5. Chris Vui (108 apps), 6. Steven Luatua (c) (105 apps), 7. Jake Heenan (85 apps), 8. Magnus Bradbury (13 apps).

System players: 16. Bryan Byrne (40 apps), 17. Jake Woolmore (123 apps), 18. Jonathan Benz-Salomon (10 apps), 19. Ed Holmes (92 apps), 20. Fitz Harding (42 apps), 21. Andy Uren (149 apps), 22. Callum Sheedy (148 apps), 23. Jack Bates (33 apps).

Unavailable: Will Capon, Ellis Genge, Kyle Sinckler, Joe Joyce, John Hawkins, Sam Jeffries, Sam Lewis, Will Porter, Sam Bedlow, Joe Jenkins, Piers O’Conor, Toby Fricker, Deago Bailey, Henry Purdy, Charles Piutau.