Wing Sean Maitland is set to make his season bow for Saracens when the Heineken Champions Cup hopefuls travel to Bristol Bears in the Gallagher Premiership on Saturday,

Maitland, who has 18 tries in 48 EPCR competition appearances to date, will be available for selection when the three-time Heineken Champions Cup winners host Edinburgh Rugby in their Pool A encounter on December 11.

The back is one of five changes made by Director of Rugby Mark McCall to the XV that defeated Sale Sharks 33-22 last weekend, with loosehead Robin Hislop, second row Hugh Tizard, flanker Andy Christie and wing Max Malins installed into the starting lineup.

There is an inter-pool matchup at the AJ Bell Stadium where Sale Sharks of Pool B welcome Gloucester Rugby of Pool A.

Sale Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson rings the changes with a plethora of talents away on international duty, although he does welcome back the England trio of Tom Roebuck, Raffi Quirke and Bevan Rodd to the squad.

Loosehead Ross Harrison makes his first league start of the season in the front row alongside Tommy Taylor and Nick Schonert. Josh Beaumont comes into the second row alongside Jean-Luc du Preez, while Roebuck is the only member of the returning England trio that makes the XV on the wing.

Sale host Ulster Rugby on December 11 in their Heineken Champions Cup opener, while this weekend’s opponents Gloucester host TOP 14 side Union Bordeaux-Bègles in their home opener a day earlier on December 10.

Outside centre Jack Reeves is named in the Gloucester XV for the first time in league action this season as Director of Rugby George Skivington names five changes to the side that beat Exeter Chiefs 38-22 last Friday.

Billy Twelvetrees lines-up alongside Reeves in a revamped centre partnership, with three changes in the backfield with Jake Morris, Tom Seabrook on the wings and Kyle Moyle at full-back – all three making their first starts of the campaign.

In the TOP 14, Stade Toulousain host EPCR Challenge Cup opposition in Stade Français Paris, ASM Clermont Auvergne welcome Aviron Bayonnais, Stade Rochelais travel to CA Brive, Racing 92 take on USAP, Bordeaux visit Section Paloise and Montpellier Hérault Rugby venture to RC Toulon.

The only all Heineken Champions Cup matchup sees an all-Pool A matchup as Lyon take on Castres Olympique.