Making her season debut for the side, Amelia Harper will start in the back row, linking up with Sarah Hunter who returns to the starting line up in the number 8 shirt.
After impressing Head Coach Rhys Edwards off the bench, Aine Staunton is also given her first start for Lightning. The versatile back will set up on the wing, forming an impressive backline with Olivia Jones and Abbie Brown.
Last season both sides claimed victory on their home leg of the competiton, with Lightning edged out 12-7 the last time the sides met in Bristol.
The game will kick off at 2pm at Shaftsbury Park.
Speaking ahead of the match, Rhys Edwards commented:
" The third game of the season is always a pinch point, however we are two games in and very happy with where we are. We had a slow start against Sale but finish well due to our experience, and last week saw lots of changes to the team, but I was equally impressed and proud of our performance with some players gaining their first experience of Prem rugby.
We are going into the Bristol game confident, with the likes of Sarah Hunter coming back into the side and Amelia Harper getting her first run out of the season, I think the squad is in a good place.
However, we know how tough it is to play at Bristol, we have only managed to pick up an away win once in the last three years. We know they are going to be a really competitive team who are able to play tight and through us, but we have had a really good training week and are excited to see what we can do Saturday."
Lightning’s kick-off is at 2pm, make sure you tune into our social media channels to keep up with all the action.
Lightning line-up
- Detysha Harper
- Lark Davies
- Daleaka Menin
- Kat Hobson
- Anya Richmond
- Georgia Bradley
- Amelia Harper
- Sarah Hunter
- Ella Wrywas
- Helena Rowland
- Olivia Jones
- Emma Hardy
- Ellen Ramsbottom
- Aine Staunton
- Abbie Brown
- Bryony Field
- Katie Trevarthen
- Beyonce Fowler
- Becky Noon
- Isla Alejandro
- Jess Weaver
- Grace White
- Rachael Woosey