Rams have named two sides for the contest, a youthful one skippered by Loughborough University scrum-half recruit Matt Wickham for the opening 40 minutes.
And a completely changed second period outfit with more National One experience will go after the break.
Reigning Players’ Player of the Year, No. 8 Willo Bicknell, leads the latter.
In total 14 players will make their Rams’ debuts during the afternoon, with Wickham, fly-half Ross McKay, and David Ajisafe three-quarters for the Blues.
Props JJ Wozniak and Sam Stirling, second row Will Saunders and back row pair Ollie Stirling and Darren Bold also start.
Recent Epsom College alumni Arthur Garfield, a scrum-half, and back three duo Henry Kirwan and Connor Burns are among the substitutes.
The second-half Reds include more first-time starters in second row Shay Sainsbury, flanker Johnny Ireland and ex-Bath fly-half Darren Atkins.
Kirwan and Burns will then start on the left wing and at full-back respectively.
Lock Ollie Agar and wing Oli Sedgwick, who starts for the Blues – both officially signed in the summer – have previously played for the Development XV.
Reflecting on the latest evolution of the squad, Seb began: “We identified players we wanted to come in and we’ve got them – from our perspective I just can’t wait to see them out there now.
“They’ve come in and been brilliant, integrated superbly, are a top bunch of lads but now it’s time to see what they can do in a game.
“That’s the test of where we’ll be as a team, when you’re in the heat of battle. We’ll find out for the first time today.”
‘Incredible response to hot summer’
He continued: “It’s been a hotter summer than usual, but you have to embrace it and the guys have been outstanding.
“They’ve worked incredibly hard and Phil (Hoy, Head of strength & conditioning) has put them through a tough programme. But they’ve responded so well.
“Hopefully it will show.”
With barely a drop of rain since the start of June, it has taken an extraordinary effort to make sure the game can go ahead.
And Seb was quick to thank the volunteer army before turning his attentions to the opposition.
He revealed: “The ground staff have done an amazing job to get the pitch ready – it’s green, nice and soft and we’re looking forward to it.
“I cannot thank them enough.
“Clifton are a side we had two great battles with last season and are always a good outfit.
“They’re tough Bristolians with great rugby stock and are ideal in pre-season because you know it’s going to be difficult.
“Some might call it a ‘friendly’ but that’s not the case and both sides will be fully committed to it – otherwise it wouldn’t work.
“We know what to expect and from our side what we want to do. It should be a good afternoon.”
‘I cannot wait to see the supporters again’
Three-and-a-half months on from the 61-40 final-day home victory against Sedgley Park, the Ramily will be reunited for the first time ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
And the Head Coach is buzzing.
He ended: “I cannot wait to see the supporters again. We want to get the place busy and we’re not shy about the ambition we have.
“Over the years we’ve perhaps been a bit coy, but we want to move forward.
“We’ve put the infrastructure in place, we’ve got a growing group of supporters who are part of the journey and we want to give them a successful team to cheer about during the next nine months.”
Entry for this afternoon’s game is free, with food and drink on sale.
