Team's Up for Briz.

[Rossm]

WASPS: 15. Ali Crossdale, 14. Zach Kibirige, 13.Sam Spink, 12. Burger Odendaal, 11. Josh Bassett, 10. Charlie Atkinson, 9. Will Porter; 1. Robin Hislop, 2. Tom Cruse, 3. John Ryan, 4. Joe Launchbury (c), 5. Kiran McDonald, 6. Tom Willis, 7. Jack Willis, 8. Alfie Barbeary

Replacements: 16. Dan Frost, 17. Tom West, 18. Biyi Alo, 19. Tim Cardall, 20. Nizaam Carr, 21. Dan Robson, 22. Ryan Mills, 23. Will Haydon-Wood

Men’s Head Coach Lee Blackett has named his side to take on Bristol Bears at Coventry Building Society Arena in the opening home game of the Gallagher Premiership on Saturday 17 September, kick off 3pm.

Jack Willis is back in the starting line up at 7, and will be joined by his brother Tom and  Alfie Barbeary in the back-row.

Captain Joe Launchbury lines up alongside Kiran McDonald in the second row, with Robin Hislop, Tom Cruse and John Ryan forming the front row to complete the pack.

In the backs, Josh Bassett and Zach Kibirige continue on the wings, with Ali Crossdale at full back following an impressive display against Gloucester Rugby last week.

Burger Odendaal and Sam Spink resume the centre partnership, while Will Porter and Charlie Atkinson link up as the half-backs.

Amongst the replacements, new signing Will Haydon-Wood is on the bench at 23.

Tickets are available and start from just £21 for adults and £3 for juniors. Get yours HERE.

Season Members - don’t forget you can bring a friend for free to this game. To redeem, call the Ticket Office on 02476 933 444.

[Rossm]

Surprised he's started with Will Porter.  Interesting to see Will Haydon-Wood on the bench. I wonder if he'll get on the pield.

[BlackAndGoldSunglasses]

Porter ahead of Dobby surprises me, after the loss of control last week.

The rest is all pretty much as expected, I think. Good to see West, Cardall, Nemo and WHW all fit to feature.

[Rossm]

Bristol team to face Wasps
15. Charles Piutau (65 apps), 14. Luke Morahan (99 apps), 13. Piers O'Conor (109 apps), 12. Sam Bedlow (48 apps), 11. Jack Bates (22 apps); 10. Callum Sheedy (133 apps), 9. Harry Randall (86 apps); 1. Jake Woolmore (109 apps), 2. Will Capon (60 apps), 3. Kyle Sinckler (33 apps), 4. Joe Joyce (152 apps), 5. Chris Vui (94 apps), 6. Sam Jeffries (55 apps), 7. Jake Heenan (c) (66 apps), 8. Magnus Bradbury (1 apps).

System players: 16. Bryan Byrne (33 apps), 17. Yann Thomas (90 apps), 18. Max Lahiff (41 apps), 19. Ed Holmes (86 apps), 20. Sam Lewis (1 apps), 21. Andy Uren (136 apps), 22. AJ MacGinty (1 apps), 23. Rich Lane (6 apps).

[Neils]

Surprised he's started with Will Porter.  Interesting to see Will Haydon-Wood on the bench. I wonder if he'll get on the pield.

This last word a Saffer reference?

[Shugs]

Didn’t see that coming. Thought Robson was excellent v Glaws. Must be tactical.

[Covkid40]

 That’s hell of a squad. Apart from Stooke, Shields and Koch I’m not sure it gets any stronger as a 23 man squad. You could argue the 3 missing players aren’t guaranteed a starting spot any more

[Neils]

Like others surprised at Dan being benched.

Good to see us with a stable centre partnership!

[Rossm]

Surprised he's started with Will Porter.  Interesting to see Will Haydon-Wood on the bench. I wonder if he'll get on the pield.

This last word a Saffer reference?

Don't know what happened there. P nowhere near F on the keyboard.

[Vespula Vulgaris]

I think last week was the first time Dan started to play near his potential in ages, to immediately drop him is bizarre. Especially as everything went wrong without him on the field.

[Rossm]

I think last week was the first time Dan started to play near his potential in ages, to immediately drop him is bizarre. Especially as everything went wrong without him on the field.

Well, I thought he was subbed a bit early. Maybe he had a slight knock and hasn't trained much this week.

[baldpaul101]

maybe the idea is that Dobby comes on and makes sure last week doesn't happen again!
Not blaming Porter, but Dans extra experience might help prevent a melt down. I seem to remember Jimmy being used the same way in a few games last season. IIRC it worked.

[JonnyD]

I’m with Ross, potentially a slight niggle for Robson but nothing too serious.

Guess WHW or Atkinson can cover 15 if need be but WHW and Mills on the bench isn’t the best balance to me but maybe Odogwu isn’t quite there yet.

Bench pack looks good to me.
Hoping for a nice open and free flowing game.
Bristol look good but I’ll be disappointed if we lose this one.

[Rossm]

Current odds with Sky bet:

Wasps 4/6 on favourites.
Briz 11/10 against.

Bookies never known for generosity

[Bloke in North Dorset]

For me if West is fit enough get through 80 mins he starts, if he isn’t he shouldn’t be on the bench. What happens if Hislop gets injured in the 1st minute?

Also surprised about Dan. Maybe Lee thinks Porter can take care of a Randall better?