By Duncan Wood
October 9 2002

Peter Thorburn has named his team to face Leinster well in advance of the game. There are some enforced changes in the pack due to injuries and suspension and David Rees returns to the starting lineup.

Neil McCarthy's knee injury and Julian White's suspension mean that there have to be changes in the front row although Darren Crompton, Saul Nelson and Emi Bergamaschi are all more than capable of holding their own.

Craig Short gets his first start of the season having overcome a frustrating ankle injury. He takes over at blindside frm Ben Sturnham who moves to number eight as Matt Salter picked up a knock at Leeds.

The only change in the backline from Leeds is the return of David Rees on the right wing having got over a slight groin problem.

Bristol Shoguns

1. Darren Crompton 2. Saul Nelson 3. Emiliano Bergamaschi 4. Garath Archer (c) 5. Alex Brown 6. Craig Short 7. Michael Lipman 8. Ben Sturnham 9. Agustin Pichot 10. Felipe Contepomi 11. Phil Christophers 12. Daryl Gibson 13. Martin Shaw 14. David Rees 15. Shane Drahm

Replacements (from)

Peter Richards, Matt Carrington, Andrew Higgins, Chris Rowland, Paul Johnstone, Andrew Sheridan, Scott Morgan, Rhys Oakley.