Guinness Premiership : Bristol trio to make first competitive start at Saracens

Dan Ward Smith captains a youthful Bristol side

Bristol trio to make first competitive start at Saracens

9 May 2008, 12:22 pm

By Jonathan McConnell

Bristol Rugby give first competitive starts to Ray Hogan, Redford Pennycook and Haydn Thomas as they travel to the unfamiliar surroundings of stadium:mk in Milton Keynes for the final Guinness Premiership match of the season against Saracens.

The last few weeks have seen the Bristol coaching staff gradually stand down some of the more experienced players who have served Bristol so well throughout the season and take a look at some of the club's up and coming talent.

The likes of Iain Grieve and Luke Eves, both products of the Academy, have revelled in their call up to first team action. And this week, another former Academy member Redford Pennycook, will make his first Guinness Premiership start in the back row.

At the same time, Haydn Thomas and Ray Hogan who have patiently bided their time and waited for their chance are given an opportunity to start.

Bristol, who are currently ninth in the table, have lost their last five matches after their hopes of winning a Heineken Cup place for 2008/09 ended after the 28-15 defeat to Harlequins in March.

But Assistant Coach John Brain, who revealed the squad to the media, said that the past few weeks have been very much about preparing for next season.

"What we've done in the last four weeks is try to get ourselves in the best possible shape for next season."

"We've chosen to go without quite a few front line players but we have seen a number of individuals develop. The game will have a bearing on a number of individuals. It will be interesting to see the players with not much Premiership experience play."

"And it also will be interesting to see players who are experienced but might be challenged for their place next season by people coming in."

"Ed Barnes, for example, has done well this season but Adrian Jarvis is coming to the club from Harlequins this summer. But this is an opportunity for him to put a marker down for next season."

However, Brain did admit that everyone at the club is keen to finish the season on a high note:

"We don't want to go into the close season having lost six matches in a row. No-one wants to do that. It is important but, in this league, it takes a long time to win respect but you can easily lose it."

"One thing we have to make sure is that our performance - win, lose or draw - earns us respect from the people we are playing against."

"I understand there's two coachloads of supporters going to the game. We certainly don't want to let them down."

Bristol Rugby:

Luke Arscott: Anthony Elliott, Neil Brew, Luke Eves, David Lemi; Ed Barnes, Haydn Thomas; Ray Hogan, Scott Linklater, Peter Bracken; Mariano Sambucetti, Nathan Budgett; Iain Grieve, Redford Pennycook, Dan Ward-Smith (capt)

Ryan Prosser, Darren Crompton, Sean Hohneck, Alfie To'oala, Graeme Beveridge, Greg Barden, Rob Higgitt