TEAM NEWS | Bristol Bears v Saracens Men
![Lozweb](https://saracens.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/lozweb-1.png)
![](https://saracens.com/wp-content/plugins/sizzle-saracens-news/assets/img/placeholder.png)
Alex Lozowski says Saracens are fully focused on hitting the ground running as they head to Ashton Gate for the Gallagher Premiership opener against Bristol on Friday night.
The England international is back after spending last season in Montpellier, and is straight in to the starting line-up to take on the semi-finalists from the 20/21 campaign.
Ralph Adams-Hale starts at loosehead alongside Tom Woolstencroft and Marco Riccioni in the front-row, who makes his Premiership debut after the summer move from Benetton.
Nick Isiekwe and Tim Swinson will operate in the second-row, whilst Jackson Wray captains the team from blindside next to Ben Earl and Billy Vunipola at the base of the scrum.
Aled Davies gets the nod at scrum-half with Lozowski his half-back partner at Ashton Gate. Nick Tompkins and Dom Morris continue their midfield partnership which functioned well in pre-season, and in the back-three there is plenty of pace in the form of Rotimi Segun, Alex Lewington and Elliott Obatoyinbo.
On the bench there is lots of Premiership experience with the likes of Richard Barrington amongst the replacements, and there could be a Saracens debut for Joe Simpson who arrived this week on a loan deal from Gloucester.
Lozowski says Sarries can’t wait for the curtain raiser on Friday against the Bears.
“We’ve had a good pre-season which is now behind us so we’re fully focused on getting off to a good start and hitting the ground running.
“Bristol have evolved their game over the last few years and are very organised so we need to be ready for a great challenge.”
Saracens Men team to play Bristol Bears:
1 Ralph Adams-Hale
2 Tom Woolstencroft
3 Marco Riccioni
4 Nick Isiekwe
5 Tim Swinson
6 Jackson Wray (c)
7 Ben Earl
8 Billy Vunipola
9 Aled Davies
10 Alex Lozowski
11 Rotimi Segun
12 Nick Tompkins
13 Dom Morris
14 Alex Lewington
15 Elliott Obatoyinbo
Replacements:
16 Kapeli Pifeleti
17 Richard Barrington
18 Alec Clarey
19 Callum Hunter-Hill
20 Sean Reffell
21 Joe Simpson
22 Manu Vunipola
23 Ben Harris
News
See all newsKelsey Clifford signs new Saracens deal
Saracens Women are excited to confirm that Red Rose Kelsey Clifford has recommitted her future to the club by signing a new deal. The homegrown prop has come through the Sarries ranks and progressed to receive international honours in recent seasons. Having made her 50th appearance for the club back in January 2023, Clifford has […]
Eight Academy Players named in England U18s squad
Eight Saracens Men’s U18s players have been named in the 26-man England U18s squad for the upcoming U18s International Series. Matthew Branch-Holland, Jack Marshall, Jack Murphy, Noah Caluori, Finn Keylock, Ben Morrow, Fraser Rawlins and Asa Stewart-Harris have all been named in the side, with Rawlins looking to add to his two U18s caps and […]
Emma Hardy joins Saracens Women
Saracens Women are excited to confirm the arrival of former Loughborough Lightning centre Emma Hardy. Having made 85 appearances in the African Violet of Loughborough, Hardy’s arrival is an exciting one for Saracens, as the former England U20s player gets ready to link up with her new teammates. Hardy will combine her playing time in […]