Heineken Champions Cup contenders Bristol Bears and Bath Rugby meet in a Gallagher Premiership derby at Ashton Gate on Friday night, with both seeking their first domestic win of the season.

Bristol, who take on Scarlets and Stade Français Paris in Pool B, have made eight changes and three positional switches as they seek to make it third time lucky in the Premiership after back-to-back losses.

Two of the front row will be making their first competitive starts of this campaign, as Kyle Sinckler comes in at prop alongside hooker Will Capon. There are also first starts of the season for lock Joe Joyce, openside flanker Jake Heenan and scrum-half Harry Randall.

Captain Steven Luatua has shifted to No.8, with Chris Vui lining up at blindside flanker, while centre Sam Bedlow and winger Henry Purdy come into the backs.

Meanwhile, Bath, who face Leinster Rugby and Stade Rochelais in Pool A of the Heineken Champions Cup, recall prop Will Stuart and lock Josh McNally to the starting line-up.

In addition, Ben Obano is reinstated to the front row alongside hooker Jacques du Toit, and Tom Ellis comes in at blindside flanker to partner Sam Underhill and Josh Bayliss in the back row.

There is also United Rugby Championship action on Friday evening, with Connacht Rugby and Scarlets both welcoming South African opposition, in Bulls and Lions respectively.

Prop Jordan Duggan, hooker Dave Heffernan and No.8 Abraham Papali’i all come into the starting side side for Connacht, while new signing Leva Fifita, a Tonga international, could make his debut from the bench.

There is also a new name among the Scarlets line-up in WillGriff John, a recent addition from Sale Sharks, who is introduced at tight-head prop. Sam Costelow replaces Dan Jones at fly-half, while Tom Rogers starts on the wing.