Bristol Bears face Saracens in the opening game of the 2021/22 Gallagher Premiership season on Friday night in a clash of two of the favourites for the title come June.
Despite the game at Ashton Gate being Saracen's first game back in the top-flight having spent a season in the Championship as punishment for breaching the league's salary cap rules, the London club have been made favourites to lift the trophy with the bookies at 2-1.
That is largely doe to the face Saracens have won the Premiership five times in the last decade and have managed to keep hold of most of their world-class players, two of which - Max Malins and Ben Earl - spent the season on loan at Bristol last season.
However, they come to Bristol in Round One of the Premiership shorn of their five British and Irish Lions stars while the hosts look close to being fully loaded for the tie with the same bookies making the Bears favourites to win.
A strong Saracens side won 45-21 away at Ulster in pre-season before a weakened side lost 3-33 back in London against the same opposition, painting an uncertain picture of their form ahead of the start of competitive rugby,
Despite the Bears having played no public pre-season games, just a competitive training session against Hartpury last Friday, Bristol Bears rugby writer John Evely takes a closer look at who is set to play in the season curtain-riser.
Backs
Bristol Bears' sparkling backline is still missing its most valuable asset in Fijian captain Semi Radradra who is yet to return to training from his summer break but director of rugby Pat Lam still looks set to name a stunning starting side.
Fellow Fijian Siva Naulago has recovered from a knee injury which has kept him out of action since March but is understood to have broken his arm in pre-season training meaning he will not be involved this weekend, that means the versatile Ioan Lloyd looks set to join Luke Morahan on the wings with Henry Purdy still working his way back to full fitness following surgery this summer.
Niyi Adeolokun is the alternative option along with Alapti Leiua.
With former Tongan international captain Siale Piutau leaving the club in the summer the number 12 jersey at Bristol is up for grabs with Piers O'Conor, Leiua, new signing Antoine Frisch and Sam Bedlow the leading contenders to wear it. With Radradra absent O'Conor will most likely wear 13 this weekend while I believe Lam will opt for the defensively dominant Bedlow as his inside centre option to face Saracens.
Wales international Callum Sheedy will wear the 10 jersey whenever he is available but there is serious competition to partner him at scrum-half once again this season with the arrival of former Saracen Tom Whiteley. That said, Lam confirmed new England international Harry Randall is available and I tip him to edge out Andy Uren for a place in the starting XV with the Bristolian taking a spot amongst the replacements.
15. Charles Piutau
14. Luke Morahan
13. Piers O'Conor
12. Sam Bedlow
11. ioan Lloyd
10. Callum Sheedy
9. Harry Randall
Forwards
Bristol Bears have a few missing in the pack which will impact selection in a couple of areas.
Kyle Sinckler remains unavailable at tighthead due to needing to fulfil his mandatory 10 week rest period post-British and Irish Lions tour this summer which means player/coach John Afoa and Max Lahiff look set to share the workload between them on the right side of the scrum.
Hooker Harry Thacker's full fitness status remains unclear but having started in the Bears semi-final last time out his neck looks to be back to full strength following surgery last season. Bryan Bryne remains sidelined following surgery on his knee with Jake Kerr and Will Capon providing competition.
In the second row Joe Joyce is not in contention to start this weekend as he continues to recover from shoulder surgery in the off-season but he is targeting the Bath game in two weeks time to return and could even be back next week to face Wasps away.
The competition for places in the backrow is highly competitive with Jake Heenan, Dan Thomas, Fitz Harding and Sam Jeffries all fighting for the right to partner captain Steven Luatua on the flank.
Nathan Hughes should start at number eight to do battle with a reportedly in shape and fired up Billy Vunipola.
1. Jake Woolmore
2. Harry Thacker
3. John Afoa
4. Chris Vui
5. Dave Attwood
6. Steven Luatua
7. Dan Thomas
8. Nathan Hughes
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