England scrum-half Shaun Perry and Samoan wing David Lemi start in a backline that sees 19-year-old Luke Eves make his first Guinness Premiership start at inside centre, with Darren Crompton, Mariano Sambucetti and Andrew Blowers adding international inexperience in the pack.
Peter Bracken will also make his first start in the Premiership for the club since moving from Wasps in the summer, while there are recalls for Sambucetti, Iain Grieve and Blowers.
Academy hooker Ryan Prosser, who recently signed a senior deal with the club, is named amongst the replacements. Alfie To'oala returns after injury and Graeme Beveridge features for the first time since January.
Leicester may have slipped from second to sixth place in the table over the past month but they'll still present a stiff challenge according to.
"Welford Road has always been a difficult place to play but, as players and coaches, you look forward to these types of challenge," said Bristol assistant coach Paul Hull. "Leicester will no doubt name a strong side and be looking for the points as they need a win to stay in play off contention.
“They've had to rotate their side in the past week or so as they've had a tough fixture schedule. But they've got an outstanding squad and a fantastic home record and not many teams go to Welford Road and win.
"But we haven't spoken about that this week, we've just focused on ourselves. We're going up there with a slightly different side and quite a few of the boys haven't played there so won't have any hang ups about the venue.
"We've got some young players in the squad and they're there on merit. These players have been playing outstandingly well for the United, have been knocking on the door and have earned their places. They deserve their opportunity."
Bristol Rugby
15 Luke Arscott
14 Lee Robinson
13 Neil Brew
12 Luke Eves
11 David Lemi
10 Ed Barnes
9 Shaun Perry (c)
1 Darren Crompton
2 Scott Linklater
3 Peter Bracken
4 Mariano Sambucetti
5 Sean Hohneck
6 Iain Grieve
7 Andrew Blowers
8 Dan Ward-Smith
Replacements
16 Ryan Prosser
17 Alex Clarke
18 Nathan Budgett
19 Alfie To'oala
20 Graeme Beveridge
21 Jason Strange
22 Rob Higgitt
