After being announced as captain in midweek, Ben Spencer will lead the side from scrum-half at Ashton Gate, in a starting XV that contains four debutants.

Piers Francis and Matt Gallagher line-up at fly-half and wing respectively. Tighthead prop Aranos Coetzee and flanker Chris Cloete are named among the forwards.

Having previously spent eight years at The Rec between 2011-2019, Dave Attwood will make it appearance 158 in Blue, Black and White alongside Josh McNally in the second row.

Also in the pack, Beno Obano and Tom Dunn complete the front row while blindside flanker Josh Bayliss and Number 8 Jaco Coetzee are also included.

HEAR FROM JVG AND YOUR NEW CAPTAIN

Tom de Glanville will make his 50^th club outing from full-back and is joined the back three by fellow homegrown player Gabriel Hamer-Webb.

Following a long period on the sidelines, Cameron Redpath is back in the centre alongside Will Butt.

Niall Annett and Louis Schreuder will earn their Bath Rugby debuts should they appear from the bench.

Ahead of the game, Head of Rugby Johann van Graan said: “The opening game in the Premiership is something you relish as a sportsman. I’m looking forward to seeing the players perform on Friday night.

“We have spoken about the pride of the jersey, and we want to make our supporters proud, and we want everyone associated with Bath Rugby to be proud of each other.”

Bath Rugby team to play Bristol Bears

the opposition

15 Charles Piutau, 14 Luke Morahan, 13 Piers O'Conor, 12 Sam Bedlow, 11 Rich Lane, 10 Callum Sheedy, 9 Harry Randall; 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Bryan Byrne, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 4 Joe Joyce, 5 Chris Vui, 6 Sam Jefferies, 7 Jake Heenan (c), 8 Magnus Bradbury

Replacements

16 Will Capon, 17 Jake Woolmore, 18 Max Lahiff, 19 Ed Holmes, 20 Sam Lewis, 21 Andy Uren, 22 AJ MacGinty, 23 Jack Bates

TICKETS FOR OUR UPCOMING HOME MATCHES

We have three home games in September!

Sale Sharks, Sat 17 Sep, 15:00
Wasps, Fri 23 Sep, 19:45
Gloucester, Wed 28 Sep, 19:45

Cheer Ben and the team on at The Rec!

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New captain, four debutants and a 50th cap milestone for Bath Rugby against Bristol Bears

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