Overview
- Ellis Genge will miss Northampton’s visit to Ashton Gate after Bristol applied his mandated rest week, with Lam calling the decision a no‑brainer for physical and mental freshness.
- Bristol expect Genge to be available for the Champions Cup trip to Parc y Scarlets in nine days.
- Seven internationals rejoin the squad, with Louis Rees‑Zammit named among the replacements and Viliame Mata starting at number eight.
- Hooker Gabriel Oghre returns on the bench for a potential 50th appearance and lock Joe Batley is fit to start.
- Steven Luatua remains out with a lower‑limb injury and is tracking a Christmas return as league‑leading, unbeaten Northampton provide the weekend opposition.