Bristol
Ins
John Afoa (Gloucester Rugby), Jake Armstrong (Jersey Reds), Luke Daniels (Ealing Trailfinders), Ollie Dawe (Academy), Tiff Eden (Nottingham), Jake Heenan (Connacht), Ed Holmes (Exeter Chiefs), James Lay (Bay of Plenty), Jordan Lay (Edinburgh), Tom Lindsay (Bedford Blues), Shaun Malton (Exeter Chiefs), Aly Muldowney (Grenoble), Piers O’conor (Ealing Trailfinders), Tom Pincus (Jersey Reds), Charles Piutau (Ulster), Harry Randall (Gloucester Rugby), George Smith (Queensland Reds), Nic Stirzaker (Melbourne Rebels), Harry Thacker (Leicester Tigers), Lewis Thiede (Ealing Trailfinders), Yann Thomas (Rouen), Jake Woolmore (Jersey Reds).
Outs Ryan Bevington (Dragons), Gaston Cortes (Leicester Tigers), Max Crumpton (Harlequins), Tyler Gendall (Cornish Pirates), Alex Giltrow, Ryan Glynn, Ben Gompels, Jason Harris-wright, David Lemi, Jordan Liney, Ross Mcmillan (all released), Giorgi Nemsadze (Ospreys), James Newey (released), Jack O’connell (Ealing Trailfinders), Thretton Palamo (released), Olly Robinson (Cardiff Blues), Billy Searle (Wasps), Soane Tonga’uiha (Ampthill), Dan Tuohy (Vannes), Jack Wallace (Richmond), Jordan Williams (Dragons), Rhodri Williams Dragons).
What’s new?
Well, most of the playing staff. Promoted teams usually revamp their resources, but Bristol have had more time as well as the financial clout of owner Steve Lansdown and Pat
Lam’s contacts book.
Who is the director of rugby and what is the game plan?
Lam empowers his players to make decisions within a fluid framework. However, Bristol’s broken-field game-breakers sometimes papered over the cracks of their set-piece operation last season. John Afoa is an important recruit at tighthead prop.
Key man
At 27, Steven Luatua (below) now has the experience to complement his immense back-row talent.
Most exciting signing?
Clearly, Charles Piutau’s shoulder injury is a setback. George Smith’s return to the Premiership represents a fascinating subplot.
Who has it all to prove?
Fly-half Ian Madigan will be desperate to deliver a campaign of consistent displays in England’s top flight.
If they were an international side they would be ...
Scotland. Bristol have a fairly lightweight pack full of breakdown scrappers. They are also blessed with an electric full-back and an innovative boss.