Northampton v Bristol: Teams
Head coach Richard Hill has named a much changed team as Bristol travel to Northampton in the European Challenge Cup on Saturday.
Last Updated: 05/12/08 2:05pm
Head coach Richard Hill has named a much changed team as Bristol travel to Northampton on Saturday.
Matt Salter ruturns to captain the side as two Guinness Premiership teams clash in the latest round of European Challenge Cup action at Franklin's Gardens.
Only ten of the Bristol squad who were narrowly defeated by London Irish in the league last weekend are retained yet Bristol are still able to name a strong side.
It's the first of a double header in the European Challenge Cup with the teams facing each other again next weekend at the Memorial Stadium.
Northampton Saints coach Jim Mallinder is looking for an improved performance from his players and is keen that the team should use the Challenge Cup to further its development as a unit.
"The Challenge Cup gives us a change of focus," Mallinder said.
"The next two weeks give us an opportunity to get our game in shape, get our players performing well and get ourselves into a good frame of mind.
Experience
"We want to get some momentum back into our season while also looking to continue the good start to our Challenge Cup campaign."
Bristol coach Hill has been very public with his comments that his sole focus is on the Guinness Premiership.
But Mallinder says that this rotation policy means whoever plays for Bristol will have had plenty of first team experience this season.
"Richard Hill has rotated his squad a lot this season," he commented.
"This has given a lot of players experience in the Premiership and in Europe, and they will be comfortable in the Bristol first team.
"We also cannot forget that Bristol beat us the last time we played them. They performed well, scored tries and defended well. But that's gone now. Tomorrow is all about us and getting our performance up to scratch."
Mallinder commented about how the atmosphere inside Franklin's Gardens aids the team.
"The fans have been outstanding all season. Against Bath they got behind the team, which really lifted the players. Everyone in the squad really enjoys that."
Northampton: 15 Bruce Reihana (c), 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Chris Mayor, 12 James Downey, 11 Paul Diggin, 10 Steve Myler, 9 Lee Dickson, 8 Roger Wilson, 7 Scott Gray, 6 Mark Easter, 5 Christian Day, 4 Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, 3 Euan Murray, 2 Dylan Hartley, 1 Soane Tongauiha.
Replacements: 16 Paul Shields, 17 Barry Stewart, 18 Alex Rae, 19 Mark Hopley, 20 Ben Foden, 21 Carlos Spencer, 22 Jon Clarke.
Bristol: 15 Vunga Lilo, 14 Luke Arscott, 13 Luke Eves, 12 Kevin Maggs, 11 Anthony Elliott, 10 Adrian Jarvis, 9 Graeme Beveridge, 8 James Phillips, 7 Redford Pennycook, 6 Matt Salter (c), 5 Dave Attwood, 4 Mariano Sambucetti, 3 Peter Bracken, 2 Scott Linklater, 1 Mark Irish.
Replacements: 16 David Blaney, 17 Ray Hogan, 18 Nathan Budgett, 19 Alfie To'oala, 20 Haydn Thomas, 21 Chris Ashwin, 22 Lee Robinson.