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THE FACTS
When is Bristol Bears vs Saracens taking place? Bristol Bears vs Saracens will take place on Friday 17th September, 2021 at 19:45 (UK)
Where is Bristol Bears vs Saracens taking place? Bristol Bears vs Saracens will take place at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol
Where can I get tickets for Bristol Bears vs Saracens? Ticket information for Bristol Bears vs Saracens can be found on each side’s official website
What TV channel is Bristol Bears vs Saracens on in the UK? Bristol Bears vs Saracens will be televised live on BT Sport
Where can I stream Bristol Bears vs Saracens in the UK? BT Sport subscribers can stream Bristol Bears vs Saracens live on the BT Sport Player & app
THE TEAM NEWS
Bristol Bears: 15 Charles Piutau, 14 Luke Morahan, 13 Piers O’Conor, 12 Alapati Leiua, 11 Ioan Lloyd, 10 Callum Sheedy, 9 Andy Uren, 8 Nathan Hughes, 7 Dan Thomas, 6 Steven Luatua (c), 5 Chris Vui, 4 Ed Holmes, 3 Max Lahiff, 2 Harry Thacker, 1 Jake Woolmore
Replacements: 16 Will Capon, 17 Yann Thomas, 18 Jake Armstrong, 19 Dave Attwood, 20 Jake Heenan, 21 Harry Randall, 22 Sam Bedlow, 23 Niyi Adeolokun
Saracens: 15 Elliott Obatoyinbo, 14 Alex Lewington, 13 Dom Morris, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Rotimi Segun, 10 Alex Lozowski, 9 Aled Davies, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Ben Earl, 6 Jackson Wray (c), 5 Tim Swinson, 4 Nick Isiekwe, 3 Marco Riccioni, 2 Tom Woolstencroft, 1 Ralph Adams-Hale
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
THE PREDICTION
Bristol Bears spent the majority of last season at the top of the Premiership table and they finished there to earn the home tie in the play-offs. It was there that they were stunned in extra time by a surprising assault by Harlequins who went on to emphatically run away with the 2020/21 title. They will have designs on going one better this season but that task is made all the more difficult by the return of Saracens, who travel to Ashton Gate for the opening match of the season. Following their huge £5 million fine and relegation to the Championship due to salary cap breaches, Saracens regrouped well to immediately bounce back and win the second division in significant comfort. The visitors are currently hyped as favourites, or joint favourites with Exeter Chiefs, for the title this season and this should be a fascinating Friday night opener with statements to be made. This should be very close, so take the visitors to edge it with a +2 head-start.