Bristol Bears matchday squad reveal may not have come as a great surprise given the identity of the 23 men who will face Gloucester was leaked earlier in the morning.
But Pat Lam's travelling party doesn't include superstar full-back Charles Piutau with the New Zealander's full-back slot going to Max Malins.
Piutau isn't even included among Lam's "system players" with Tiff Eden and Luke Morahan the replacement backs at Kingsholm as Bears look to extend their winning run to seven matches.
Piutau has had his injury problems in a Bears jersey, particularly across the 2018/19 campaign, but has made 13 of a possible 14 appearances this term in the Premiership.
Bristol Live understands that Piutau is fit to play, but has not been selected due to the relentless nature of the Bears forthcoming schedule.
The 28-year-old will be kept back for the visit of Exeter Chiefs to Ashton Gate on Tuesday as Lam must plan his squad selection amid a run of three matches inside eight days.
Malins will make his Bears debut, while summer arrivals Kyle Sinckler and Ben Earl earn their first starts having emerged off the bench in the second half against Saracens on Saturday.
In total, Lam has made seven changes to his XV with Harry Thacker replacing Bryan Byrne at hooker, Joe Joyce is named in place of Dave Attwood and Andy Uren and Alapati Leiua start in the backline.
Of the seven replaced in the starting line-up: Piutau, Byrne, John Afoa, Attwood and Dan Thomas have been given the night off.
“This week has been about ensuring we improve and build on our team performance against Saracens. I believe if we can add a bit more accuracy and detail to the outstanding team work-rate and passion shown last week, it will give us a better chance to get the points on offer," Lam said.
“While we’re excited about going to Kingsholm for our first away game since lockdown, the fact that Bristol have not won there for fourteen years emphasises the tough challenge we face tomorrow.”
Gloucester have been able to select England wing Jonny May who had failed a HIA in the weekend win over Worcester and hadn't trained at the start of the week.
Head coach George Skivington makes two changes from that team with Matt Garvey making his first start for the club in the pack, and Louis Rees-Zammit earning the full-back spot.
Bristol Bears: 15. Max Malins; 14. Alapati Leiua, 13. Semi Radradra, 12. Siale Piutau, 11. Henry Purdy; 10. Callum Sheedy, 9. Andy Uren; 1. Jake Woolmore, 2. Harry Thacker, 3. Kyle Sinckler, 4. Joe Joyce, 5. Chris Vui, 6. Steven Luatua (c), 7. Ben Earl, 8. Nathan Hughes; System players: 16. Will Capon, 17. Yann Thomas, 18. Max Lahiff, 19. Ed Holmes, 20. Dan Thomas, 21. Harry Randall, 22. Tiff Eden, 23. Luke Morahan
Gloucester: 15. Louis Rees-Zammit, 14. Ollie Thorley, 13. Chris Harris, 12. Billy Twelvetrees, 11. Jonny May, 10. Danny Cipriani, 9. Joe Simpson; 1. Val Rapava-Ruskin, 2. Jack Singleton, 3. Fraser Balmain, 4. Ed Slater, 5. Matt Garvey, 6. Ruan Ackermann, 7. Lewis Ludlow (c), 8. Jake Polledri; Replacements: 16. Franco Marais, 17. Logovi’I Mulipola, 18. Jack Stanley, 19. Danny Drake, 20. Jack Clement, 21. Stephen Varney, 22. Tom Seabrook, 23. Charlie Sharples
