New signing Connor Braid goes straight into the London Scottish starting line-up for tomorrow evening’s B&I Cup clash against Bristol Rugby at Ashton Gate Stadium, 7.45pm kick-off.
Braid starts at stand-off for the Scots with Australian trialist Matt Hawke joining Harlequins dual-registered centre Harry Sloan in a new look midfield.
Edinburgh Rugby loanee Chris Auld moves to full-back with Matt Williams returning to the starting line-up on the right wing.
In the forward pack, David Cherry and Stewart Maguire replace Todd Gleave and Max Maidment respectively.
Gregor Gillanders skippers the side from the second-row and flanker Lewis Beer is named on the bench having joined on loan from Cleve RFC this week.
London Scottish backs coach, Peter Richards, said: “We really enjoyed going down to Bristol in the league earlier this season and playing in front of a big crowd.
“For the team it will be another great experience.
“Like a lot of football pitches, the Ashton Gate surface is excellent, it’s a fast track, so when we get opportunities we will have a go.
“Bristol are going well and have already beaten us home and away this season so it’s going to be another tough task.
“The tests keep coming ahead of Christmas but we’re enjoying what we are doing at the moment, despite the weather conditions getting steadily worse.”
He added: “The idea in the B&I Cup games was to give guys an opportunity to fight for the jersey ahead of the Worcester game before Christmas.
“A number of players put their hands up last week for selection and we are looking for more of the same on Friday.”
London Scottish squad to play Bristol Rugby at Ashton Gate Stadium on Friday, December 5, 7.45pm kick-off.
15, Chris Auld, 14, Matt Williams, 13, Matt Hawke, 12, Harry Sloan, 11, Miles Mantella, 10, Connor Braid, 9, Ben Calder, 1, Mark Lilley, 2, David Cherry, 3, Stewart Maguire, 4, Tai Tuisamoa, 5, Gregor Gillanders (c), 6, Alex Brown, 7, Chris Walker, 8, James Chisholm.
Replacements: 16, Lovejoy Chawatama, 17, Todd Gleave, 18, Max Maidment, 19, James Phillips, 20, Lewis Beer, 21, Matt Heeks, 22, Dan Newton.
