USA international Mike MacDonald will make his first start of the season for Leeds Carnegie when they travel to Bristol on Sunday.

MacDonald was one of the stars of the USA's World Cup campaign but has been out for two weeks with a rib injury suffered in his final game in France against World Cup finalists South Africa.

Samoan prop Fosi Pala'amo reverts to tighthead in place of the injured Colin Noon whilst Stuart Lancaster has rotated hookers Vili Ma'asi and Rob Rawlinson, with the latter starting this week.

There is only one change in the back line with last season's leading try scorer Richard Welding replacing Leigh Hinton on the wing.

The bench sees Andy Tuilagi make his return to the squad after suffering a wrist injury whilst with the Samoan squad which ruled him out of the World Cup.

More news from SportingLife.com