Bristol v Llanelli: Teams
Flanker Joe El Abd set to lead Bristol, while Llanelli chief Phil Davies puts his faith in his young stars.
Last Updated: 26/10/07 2:49pm
Bristol coach Richard Hill has opted to ring the changes for his side's first-ever competitive match with Llanelli Scarlets.
Joe El Abd will skipper the side, while All Black David Hill and England No.9 Shaun Perry are reunited at half-back.
In the pack Alex Clarke is named at loosehead and Gareth Llewellyn returns to the second row, while Nathan Budgett and Andrew Blowers join El Abd in the back row.
Scarlets director of rugby Phil Davies has given his younger players the chance to shine in the EDF Energy Cup.
Despite having his World Cup starts available selection, but young fly-half Rhys Priestland and hooker James Hayter keep their places ahead of Stephen Jones and Matthew Rees.
Wales wing Mark Jones and Irish flanker Simon Easterby do return to the side, with the latter handed the captain's armband.
Bristol: 15 Tom Arscott, 14 Lee Robinson, 13 Neil Brew, 12 Rob Higgitt, 11 Craig Morgan, 10 David Hill, 9 Shaun Perry, 1 Alex Clarke, 2 David Blaney, 3 Darren Crompton, 4 Gareth Llewellyn, 5 Sean Hohneck, 6 Nathan Budgett, 7 Joe El Abd (c), 8 Andrew Blowers.
Replacements: 16 Scott Linklater, 17 Ray Hogan, 18 Dave Attwood, 19 James Phillips, 20 Haydn Thomas, 21 Jason Strange, 22 Luke Eves.
Llanelli: 15 Morgan Stoddart, 14 Mark Jones, 13 Regan King, 12 Gavin Evans, 11 Matthew Watkins, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Dwayne Peel, 1 Phil John, 2 James Hayter, 3 Deacon Manu, 4 Vernon Cooper, 5 Adam Eustace, 6 Simon Easterby (c), 7 Johnathan Edwards, 8 Dafydd Jones.
Replacements: 16 Bruce Douglas, 17 Matthew Rees, 18 Scott MacLeod, 19 Alix Popham, 20 Liam Davies, 21 Stephen Jones, 22 Dafydd James.
