Team Lineup: Biarritz (A)

Director of Rugby Ben Ward has named a strong team for the club’s opening preseason friendly away at Biarritz tomorrow night.

The game, which kicks off at the Parc Des Sports Aguilera at 8pm (7pm BST), will be the first chance to see some new faces in Green and White.

Up front, there is the experienced trio of Kyle Whyte, Alun Walker and Lewis Thiede who will look to gain dominance at the set-piece.

Off the back of his strong leadership display during the Championship Cup, Barney Maddison will skipper the side from the second-row, where he will pack down alongside Bobby De Wee.

The back-row sees the first of some of the new faces, with Rob Farrar starting on the blindside and Carlo Tizzano taking the spot on the openside. After an incredibly impressive display on the flank last season, Simon Uzokwe showcases his versatility by shifting to number 8.

Craig Hampson will start at scrum-half, while newly appointed Club Captain Steven Shingler takes the fly-half shirt. In the midfield, Reuben Bird-Tulloch will start at inside centre after impressing throughout preseason and is partnered by the powerful Max Bodilly.

The back-three promises to be an exciting trio with Luke Daniels on one wing, David Johnston at fullback and new-signing and Welsh international Jonah Holmes on the other wing.

Among the replacements new boys, Kevin O’Byrne, Will Montgomery, Ollie Fox and Jack Metcalf will all be looking to show their quality as they fight for a starting spot ahead of the first league game of the season at home against Doncaster on Saturday 10th September (click here for tickets).

If you fancy a last minute trip out to the South of France, tickets for the game are still available here. If you can’t be there in person, we will be covering the game on our Twitter feed, across our social media platforms and via a live blog on our website.

We will also be travelling to Rosslyn Park on Saturday (20th August) where there is free entry on the gate. Team news for that game will be out on Friday.

Team to face Biarritz:

15. David Johnston

14. Jonah Holmes

13. Max Bodilly

12. Reuben Bird-Tulloch

11. Luke Daniels

10. Steven Shingler

9. Craig Hampson

1. Kyle Whyte

2. Alun Walker

3. Lewis Thiede

4. Bobby De Wee