Bristol Bears v Bedford Blues TV guide, kick-off time and full team news

Bristol Bears kick off their 2024/25 Premiership Rugby Cup campaign at home to Bedford Blues on Saturday looking to continue their impressive league form.

Pat Lam has opted for a combination of experience and youth for the tie against the Championship side at Ashton Gate, handing summer signing Lovejoy Chawatama his debut for the club after joining the West Country side from Harlequins. Argentina duo Benjamin Elizalde and Benjamin Grondona, fresh from their first senior international call-ups this week, also start before heading off for national duty.

Here are all the ways you can follow all the action...

When is the game?

Bristol Bears v Bedford Blues is being played on Saturday, November 2 at Ashton Gate.

What time is kick-off?

The kick-off time is at 3pm (yes, basically the same times as England v New Zealand).

Is the game on TV or being streamed?

No. The match has not been selected to be shown live by broadcasters TNT Sports and online on the discovery+ app.

There will so not be any live stream of the match provided by either club.

Highlights will also be available on the Premiership Rugby website shortly after the game.

How else can I follow the game?

If you are not going to be inside the stadium, and even if you are, BristolLive will be live blogging the match bringing you all the build-up, team news, live play-by-play match updates, reaction, stats, analysis, interviews and highlights from inside the ground.

What's the team news?

Bristol Bears: 15. Benjamin Elizalde, 14. Toby Fricker, 13. Kalaveti Ravouvou, 12. Joe Jenkins, 11. Deago Bailey, 10. Sam Worsley, 9. Kieran Marmion; 1. Yann Thomas, 2. Harry Thacker, 3. Lovejoy Chawatama, 4. Kenzie Jenkins, 5. Joe Owen, 6. Paddy Pearce, 7. Jake Heenan (c), 8. Benjamin Grondona

Replacements: 16. Will Capon, 17. Louie Trevett, 18. Jimmy Halliwell, 19. Tom Doughty, 20. Aaron Tull, 21. Sam Edwards, 22. Jack Bates, 23. Harry Rowson

Bedford Blues: 15. Matt Worley, 14. Will Glister, 13. Alfie Garside, 12. Lucas Titherington, 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Will Maisey, 9. James Lennon; 1. Joey Conway, 2. Tommy Herman, 3. Beltus Nonleh, 4. Shay Kerry, 5. George Smith, 6. Luke Frost, 7. Joe Howard (C), 8. Archie Benson

Replacements: 16. James Fish, 17. Jamie Jack, 18. Oisin Heffernan, 19. Rory Ward, 20. Jac Arthur, 21. Alex Day, 22. Louis James, 23. Joel Matavesi

Who are the officials?

Referee: Jack Makepeace

Assistant Referees: Dan Jones and Jonathan Healy