Bristol draft in seven for Ponty

Skipper Grieve comes in on the flank

Bristol will draft in an experienced core of players for Saturday’s British and Irish Cup semi-final at Pontypridd.

Head coach Paul Hull saw his side humiliated 81-13 in their final play-off game at Worcester and criticised their attitude in that outing.

In response he will bring in Ed Barnes, Junior Fatialofa, Dan Montagu, James Merriman, Mark Irish, Dave Blaney and Iain Grieve for the Sardis Road trip.

“They’re going to put some steel back into our game,” Hull told BBC Bristol.

“They weren’t involved last week and that was a deliberate ploy to rest them so they’re fresh for this week. They’re fresh and they’re raring to go.”

Ponty are going for a treble having won through to the Principality Premiership play-offs after finishing top of the table in the regular season and will face Aberavon in the Swalec Cup final.

In addition they have won their last 21 games at home.

“This is what you play rugby for,” added Hull. “The team I’ve picked like this challenge and this is a senior group going to do a job.”

You can listen to commentary of Bristol’s match at Pontypridd on BBC Radio Bristol and on the BBC Sport website on Saturday from 1430 BST.