Former Doncaster players Tristan Roberts and Matt Wiliams will line up against their former club while Bath duo Josh Ovens (pictured) and Matt Keyte also start.

Liam Middleton makes two changes from the side that suffered a narrow 20-16 defeat to Bath last Friday. Scrum-half Keyte is preferred to Louis Silver and captain Iain Grieve returns to the side in place of Marco Mama, who is named among the replacements.

The bench sees a five forwards and two backs split, with scrum-half Tom Slater recalled to the 22-man squad.

Bristol Rugby team to face Doncaster Knights at Castle Park on Saturday 3rd September (2.30pm KO):

Sean Marsden; George Watkins, Jack Tovey, Junior Fatialofa, Matt Williams; Tristan Roberts, Matt Keyte; Mark Irish, Ross Johnston, Jason Hobson, Mariano Sambucetti, Roy Winters, Josh Ovens, James Merriman, Iain Grieve (c).

Replacements: Rhys Lawrence, Wayne Thompson, Darren Crompton, Darren Barry, Marco Mama, Tom Slater, Mark Davies.

Not available: Jon Goodridge, Jack Gadd, Dan Montagu, Ben Glynn.

The search is underway for a name for the new mountain bike trails at Ashton Court and Leigh Woods.

The prize for choosing the best name is the chance to ride with Olympic 2012 hopeful and professional mountain biker, Oli Beckingsale, at Ashton Court later this year.

Cleverly designed by Phil Saxena – who was instrumental in the design of the mountain bike course for the Beijing Olympics – and his team at Architrail, the trails will be suitable for families and novice mountain bikers, as well as enticing enough for talented mountain bikers looking for a challenge.

Construction work on the 6.5km of trails at Ashton Court is due to finish later this month, whilst work on the 5.5km of trails at Leigh Woods started in early July and is expected to finish by November.

The work is only possible thanks to investment by the European Rural Development Fund through the 1 South West Cycling Project and a partnership between Bristol’s Cycling City, the Forestry Commission and the National Trust.

Councillor Tim Kent, Bristol’s Executive Member for Transport, said: “The world class design means users of the trails will get an exhilarating experience.  Bristol is showing that being a Cycling City does not just mean getting your bike out to commute to work or school.  I’m sure the trails will prove a fantastic place for people to get out to and enjoy the great outdoors, and will also make Bristol one of the best mountain biking cities in the UK, drawing visitors from across the country.”

Trail Designer and local resident Phil Saxena added: “We’re putting in lots of features that will make everyone smile, whether new riders, families or accomplished mountain bikers.  Rocky drops, boulders, banked corners and more will make it fun for everyone – the faster you ride, the more challenging the trails become.”

With that in mind, the competition to find new names for the trails and for sections of the trails is open to help make Bristol’s mountain biking facilities the envy of all other cities.

Competition entries may name the whole, or part, of one of the trails.

Inspiration may come in the form of a local Bristolian, the flowing feel of the course, something Bristol is famous for or just the sheer joy of riding!  Perhaps you would want to consider the flora and fauna helping to be protected because of the project: Ashton Court’s orchid population or the Bristol Whitebeam a tree that only exists in Bristol and grows in Leigh Woods.

Route maps of the new mountain bike trails can be found at www.betterbybike.info/ashton-court-mountain-bike-trails

The deadline for competition entries is 30 September, 2011.

Further details on how to enter can be found at www.betterbybike.info/name-that-trail

In total, Head Coach Liam Middleton has brought in thirteen new faces including five forwards and eight backs. The Club has retained nineteen of the players who featured in last season’s first-team squad. Mitch Eadie, who played four times last season, signs an Academy contract.

Middleton has added five members to his backroom staff. Mike Hall and Matthew Sherratt take over as Academy Manager and Academy Coach respectively, while Lee Douglas joins as Head of Strength & Conditioning and Tom Hargroves as Academy Strength & Conditioning Coach. Dan Martin is appointed Head Physiotherapist.

Bristol Rugby squad list 2011/12

Hooker

Ross Johnston (retained)
Rhys Lawrence (Llanelli Scarlets)
Tom Channon (Academy)

Prop

Mark Irish (retained)
Wayne Thompson (retained)
Darren Crompton (retained)
Jake Caulfield (Academy)
Jason Hobson (retained)
Will Davis (Academy)

Lock

Roy Winters (retained)
Darren Barry (retained)
Ben Glynn (Academy)
Mariano Sambucetti (retained)

Back Row

Mitch Eadie (Academy)
James Merriman (retained)
Iain Grieve (c) (retained)
Marco Mama (Academy)
Dan Montagu (retained)
Josh Ovens (Bath – season loan)

Scrum Half

Louis Silver (Worcester Warriors)
Tom Slater (Cardiff Blues)
Matt Keyte (Bath – Dual registered)

Fly Half

Mark Davies (Academy)
Tristan Roberts (Doncaster)

Centre

Junior Fatialofa (retained)
Jack Gadd (Academy)
Fautua Otto (Samoa)
Ollie Woodburn (Bath – Dual registered)

Wing

George Watkins (Academy)
Matt Williams (Doncaster)

Full-back

Sean Marsden (retained)
Jack Tovey (retained)
Jon Goodridge (Unattached)

Coaching & Medical Staff

Head Coach: Liam Middleton
Academy Manager: Mike Hall
Academy Coach: Matthew Sherratt
Head of Strength & Conditioning: Lee Douglas Assistant Strength & Conditioning: Andrew Petts Academy Strength & Conditioning Coach: Tom Hargroves Head Physiotherapist: Dan Martin
Physiotherapist: Jon Hill
Sports Therapist: Kate Rehill
Team Doctors: Jonathan Williams & Jo Probert

The full list of players who have left the Club is as follows:

Ollie Hayes
Mako Vunipola
Jamie Miller
Jonathan Brandling-Harris
Robbie Shaw
Richard Bolt
Sam Alford
Nicky Little
Chris Ashwin
Ed Barnes
Dan Norton
Jack Adams
Anthony Elliott

The finalists are listed below:

Premiership Rugby Parliamentary Rugby Community Awards Shortlisted Clubs

MBNA Innovation Award

• Bristol Rugby
• Worcester Warriors

Land Rover Impact Award

• Bath Rugby
• Worcester Warriors

Aviva Club of the Year

• Leicester Tigers
• Saracens

Run in conjunction with the All Party Rugby Union Group (a cross party group made up of Parliamentarians in both Houses of Parliament who support Rugby Union), the Premiership Rugby Parliamentary Rugby Community Awards are sponsored by Aviva, Land Rover and MBNA and supported by media partner SportBusiness Group.

Chair of the All Party Group, Tony Cunningham MP said, “The scale of the community work the Premiership Rugby clubs do is admirable. The clubs and players are committed to the projects and work very closely with their partners to produce significant results. I look forward to the final on July 6th.”

Wayne Morris, Head of Community at Premiership Rugby, said: “Our clubs have a community network as well as the experience which makes them first rate partners for public and private sector organisations looking to use their CSR or community investments to help solve local or national social issues.

“The breadth of the programmes on display was amazing, from Bath Rugby’s programme for primary and secondary school girls, to Saracens’ “Strictly Come Dancing” programme for over 50s, to Bristol Rugby’s programme with young offenders.

“The clubs going forward to the Final are at the forefront of what they do. It will be a tough job deciding between them when it comes to the final in July.”

The judging panel consisted of organisations and individuals expert and experienced in sports based community policy and programmes including Aviva, Sport England, Fit for Sport, Prince’s Trust, Youth Sport Trust, Serco, Dr Keith Gilbert of the University of East London, the Social Enterprise Coalition and Right to Play.

Last year’s tournament was attended by over 300 people and was a great opportunity for Sikhs throughout the country to come to Bristol and take part in a friendly game of football. This family friendly event aims to raise awareness of the Sikh community within sport and is free for the general public to attend.

However the club, which is a non profit organisation, is short of funds and cannot hold this year’s tournament without the support of local businesses and organisations. Currently the club is £1500 short of their £4500 target, which will cover the costs of holding the tournament. Kerry McCarthy MP has met with the Manager of Bristol Sikh Sangat FC, Mr Balkbir Singh, to discuss the challenges the club has experienced in raising funds.

Kerry said: “Bristol Sikh Sangat is a great community football club, which trying to raise awareness of the Asian community in football. It would be great shame if this community tournament was cancelled due to lack of funds. In this tough economic climate many community groups and clubs, such as the Bristol Sikh Sangat are really struggling to find sponsorship from local businesses and this having a direct impact important community events in Bristol.

We hear a lot in the news about the Big Society, but without kind donations from local businesses, community groups and volunteers really do struggle.  The club is so close to achieving the funds they need to hold the tournament. I would strongly encourage any individual or local business that may be able to help to contact the club straight away. I know any donation no matter how small will be gratefully received and could make all the difference.

Lee Robinson returns

Bristol head to Ireland tomorrow for their second fixture of the new British & Irish Cup. The West Country side won their first match of the competition against Neath last Friday, with a young side outscoring the Welsh outfit two tries to one.

In the backs, Lee Robinson makes his return from injury for Bristol after suffering a broken nose in a training session back in October. Try scorer Sam Alford starts at scrum-half while Jack Tovey, Luke Eves, George Watkins and Chris Ashwin remain unchanged from last week.

Sam Giddens and Ben Glynn make their first starts for Bristol Rugby, with Nathan Budgett set to captain the side.

Munster A Vs Bristol Rugby, Friday 27th November, KO 19:30

Bristol XV

Jack Tovey; Lee Robinson, Luke Eves, Sam Giddens, George Watkins, Chris Ashwin, Sam Alford; Mark Irish, Ross Johnston, Mako Vunipola, Ben Glynn, Josh Brown, Nathan Budgett (C), James Merriman, Darren Barry

16. Ollie Hayes, 17. Wayne Thompson 18. Marko Mama 19. Adam Bellamy 20. Robbie Shaw, 21. Mark Davies, 22. Jack Gadd

The decision means the proposed stadium development can move forward, once some specific matters have been resolved in the near future. Once completed, the stadium will be the region’s largest sporting capital investment initiative.

The decision is subject to the following:

• The removal of the Southlands housing from the application.
• The applicant finding an acceptable and deliverable solution for pedestrian access between the stadium and Winterstoke Road
• Consultation on the proposals for pedestrian access

The approval is subject to call-in by the Secretary of State.

The stadium application features a 30,000-seater stadium, incorporating conferencing and hospitality facilities, new retail and community opportunities, outline consent for a hotel and associated food and drink outlets, houses and flats, a wildlife area and flood risk measures and the creation of new jobs.

Councillor Lesley Alexander, Chair of the Development Control Committee (South and East), said: “The committee carefully considered the application.

“We looked at the application and asked searching questions. The committee decided many aspects of the application could go forward but the pedestrian access arrangements warranted more detailed information and further discussion. We also felt that the proposed housing development of the “Southlands” site was unacceptable. After careful consideration, the committee are minded to approve outline planning permission – subject to a number of conditions and more detailed plans and further submissions.

“Today’s decision represents a significant step forward in the overall delivery of a new stadium. The stadium is just one element of the application, the whole area will benefit from its development, with new homes and jobs for local people.”

Bristol City Council Leader Barbara Janke said: “Today’s decision is a real step forward for Bristol’s bid to become a host city for the World Cup in 2018. The stadium is a key element of the bid and we believe the committee’s decision advances Bristol’s stadium plans, as well as opening up new possibilities such as the arena.

“The bidding process is long, and we’re unlikely to know whether England has won for some time. We do need to make sure that the people of the city will really feel the benefit of a bid, and there is some way to go until the business case is completed, so that local people really feel that they will get the most out of it. I and my colleagues look forward to working with the club and others in this process.

“Bidding for the World Cup is a very complex process and the stadium is one of the many requirements FIFA places on host cities. The cabinet will be meeting on 24th November to consider all aspects of Bristol’s bid prior to submission to the England 2018 bid team on the 26th November.”

Mariano Sambucci: selected for Argentina squad

Bristol Rugby’s Mariano Sambucetti has been called into the Argentina squad for the Autumn Internationals 2009.

Mariano joined Bristol in the 2005/6 season when the club achieved promotion into the Guinness Premiership. He played for Argentina against the British Lions in May 2005 before signing a two year contract with Bristol in Spring 2007.

In the March 2009, Sambucetti resigned for the West Country club and was selected for Argentina in the Churchill Cup. He currently has total of eleven full caps for his country.

The Puma’s UK tour begins on the 14th November against England, followed by a trip to the Millennium Stadium to take on Wales on the 21st and then finally, facing Scotland on 28th November.

Sambucetti will be on duty with Argentina after Bristol’s away fixture against Plymouth Albion on November 7th. He will return to the club after the series finishes on 28th November.

Commenting on Sambucetti’s selection, Head Coach Paul Hull said: “We’re obviously all delighted for Mariano. He worked very hard in pre-season and has continued to do so throughout the league. It’s a huge honour to play for your country and we wish him well in the series.”

CITY’S PLANS FOR ASHTON GATE. A ‘win-win situation’ says local MP

Labour’s team in Bedminster and Southville have welcomed the announcement that Sainsbury’s has reached a deal to buy the Ashton Gate site if Bristol City Football Club are successful in its application for a new stadium at Ashton Vale.

Commenting, Labour MP for Bristol South Dawn Primarolo said:

“This really is a win-win situation. I have always supported City in their bid to move to a new stadium. It will be good for the club, and good for our city. A new stadium is vital for the world cup bid, and I’m very happy to give it my wholehearted support. The future of the Ashton Gate site has been a significant worry for residents, and I understand their concern. Sainsbury’s need a proposal which delivers housing on their current site, and a superstore which takes into account the views of local residents at Ashton Gate.”

Sean Beynon, Labour’s Councillor for Southville, added:

”The vast majority of complaints I have received about the redevelopment of Ashton Gate were from residents worried about another supermarket in the area, which we simply did not need. On the face of it, these proposals make much more sense. What’s important now is that Sainsbury’s does a better job of consulting with local people than Tesco managed.”

Bedminster Councillor Colin Smith, like Sean, is a season ticket holder at Ashton Gate. He said:

“We will continue to try to ensure that residents have a chance to express their views about these important proposals. As a fan I do, of course, want to see City continue to progress. These applications will now need to be judged on planning grounds by Councillors. I would urge everyone with an interest in the potential new stadium – whether for or against – to submit their views to the planning committee. The committee meets at 6pm on 4 November, and residents can send statements to either democratic.services@bristol.gov.uk, or write to Democratic Services, Room 220, The Council House, Bristol, BS1 5TR. Statements have to be received by 12 noon on 3 November at the latest.”

Labour Group Deputy Leader and fellow Bedminster Councillor Mark Bradshaw concluded:

”We will have to wait for the detail of Sainsbury’s proposal, including on local traffic management and public transport links, but, if it brings much needed housing to our area, while delivering value for the club on Ashton Gate, it is certainly a much more preferable option to what has previously been on the table. On balance, it also appears to address many of the retail policy concerns.”