Bristol Shoguns head coach Peter Thorburn has named Argentine scrum-half Agustin Pichot in the starting line-up to face Welsh side Ebbw Vale on Saturday for the team's final pre-season warm-up fixture on Saturday at the Memorial Stadium.

It will be the first opportunity for Shoguns supporters to see Pichot in the Shoguns shirt since the Zurich Championship final at Twickenham in June.

The scrum-half's international colleague Felipe Contepomi is also named on the replacements bench after a brief appearance at last weekend's Middlesex Sevens. The bench includes England international Julian White, Alex Brown, Paul Johnstone, Jamie Williams and Peter Richards.

Commenting on the official Bristol Shoguns website about the strength in depth at Bristol Shoguns, Peter Thorburn said: "It is great for both the team and the entire Club to have so many quality players to select from."

Commenting on team selection Peter Thorburn said: "People shouldn't read anything into the team named to face Ebbw Vale. Some of the players haven't had much game time and as a result we want to assess everyone."

Thorburn added: "Some of the players haven't been back long from international commitments and operations and need to catch up in terms of fitness."

Players not considered for the final pre-season game before the Zurich Premiership action starts include Andrew Higgins who is about two or three weeks away from playing after recovering from the neck injury he picked up against Northampton Saints in May.

Other absentees include Matt Carrington, Michael Lipman and Neil McCarthy who are all rested after picking up slight knocks over the last few weeks.

The fixture is an opportunity for ALL fans to enjoy a great day out. Prior to the game GWR fm's Howard Taylor will be entertaining the crowd with fun and games assisted by the radio station's Black Thunder team.

After the final whistle there will be a FREE barbecue for all season ticket holders. There will also be an opportunity for all fans to meet the players who will be around to sign autographs and chat about their hopes for the forthcoming season.

Season ticket holders get FREE entrance into the game on display of their voucher book. Match day tickets will be available on the day priced at £5 for the terrace and £10 for the Centenary and West Stands. Tickets for children under 16 on the terraces cost £2.

The clash with the Welsh side will be the Shoguns' final warm-up fixture before the visit of Saracens to the Memorial Stadium in the first game of the 2002/03 Zurich Premiership season on Sunday 1 September, kick off 3pm.

Bristol Shoguns line-up to face Ebbw Vale Saturday 24 August, Memorial Stadium, kick off 3pm

Lee Best, Brendon Daniel, David Rees, Martin Shaw, Phil Christophers, Shane Drahm, Agustin Pichot, Ross Beattie (c), Craig Short, Ben Sturnham, Andrew Sheridan, Garath Archer, Emiliano Bergamaschi, Saul Nelson, Darren Crompton.

Replacements:
Jamie Williams, Duncan Hayward, Felipe Contepomi, Peter Richards, Matt Salter, Rhys Oakley, Chris Morgan, Alex Brown, Scott Morgan, Julian White, Chris Rowland, Paul Johnstone.