Byrne to make first Bristol start against Benetton

Investec Champions Cup: Bristol v Benetton

Venue: Ashton Gate Date: Sunday, 12 January Kick-off: 15:15 GMT

Coverage: Listen to live commentary on BBC Radio Bristol and BBC Sounds, follow live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app.

Irish fly-half Harry Byrne will make his first club start when Bristol Bears welcome Benetton to Ashton Gate in the Investec Champions Cup.

Byrne will lead the Bristol attack after joining the Premiership side on a three-month loan deal from Leinster.

Kalaveti Ravouvou returns to the midfield at outside centre, while Benjamin Elizalde is named at full-back.

Prop Max Lahiff will make his 99th Bristol appearance as one of six changes in the pack with only captain Fitz Harding and Viliame Mata retaining their place in the starting XV.

England pair Ellis Genge and Harry Randall are named among the replacements as Bristol look to claim their first points in Pool 2 following defeats by Leinster and La Rochelle.

Benetton are fourth in the table following an impressive win over Bristol's Premiership rivals Bath in their last outing.

Marco Bortolami's side is full of Italy internationals, including centre pairing Tommaso Menoncello and Ignacio Brex.

Argentina fly-half Tomas Albornoz will line-up against Byrne but injured Italy wing Louis Lynagh is unavailable with a knee issue.

Line-ups

Bristol: Elizalde; Bates, Ravouvou, Williams, Heward; Byrne, Marmion; Thomas, Thacker, Lahiff, Owen, Batley, Grondona, Harding (capt), Mata.

Replacements: Oghre, Genge, Kloska, Barker, Luatua, Randall, Van Rensburg, Lane.

Benetton: Smith; Gallagher, Menoncello, Brex, Ratave; Albornoz, Uren; Gallo, Maile, Zilocchi, N Cannone, Ruzza, Lamaro (capt), Zuliani, L Cannone.

Replacements: Bernasconi, Ferrari, Avaca, Snyman, Favretto, Izekor, Garbisi, Marin.

Referee: Luc Ramos (Fra)