Bristol prepared for battle

Peter Thorburn, the Bristol head coach, is expecting a massive battle tomorrow when fellow Premiership strugglers London Irish visit the Memorial Stadium. After a dismal start to the season a home victory would see them move off the foot of the table at the expense of their visitors.

"London Irish are a dangerous side who had a great year last season," said Thorburn, whose side have beaten the Exiles once in their last 10 league and cup encounters.

"I first came up against them in one of my first games as part of the Shoguns coaching team in March. Their personnel has changed very little since then and they're a difficult team to play.

"They will be as hungry to win as us, as both teams know how much the points mean to the Premiership standings."

The powerful back-rower Ben Sturnham returns for Bristol following a knee operation and replaces Chris Morgan. "Chris was unfortunate to miss out," said Thorburn. "His improvement during the last few months has been impressive.

"He's on a good growth and development path which we want him to continue on. Ben has been back in training for two weeks, and it's time for him to step up to the first team."

The former England winger David Rees is back while Paul Johnstone retains his place at hooker, but Bristol will be without their Argentine half-back pairing of Agustin Pichot and Felipe Contepomi who are on international duty against Italy in Rome. Peter Richards and Shane Drahm are the likely replacements.

London Irish make two changes to the team beaten by Gloucester last weekend. Paul Sackey returns on the left wing in place of Justin Bishop who, along with Kieron Dawson, is with the Ireland squad. Declan Danaher replaces Dawson after recovering from an arm injury.

Bath, another team near the foot of the Premiership, are missing scrum-half Gareth Cooper for their game at Newcastle tomorrow. Cooper has a shoulder injury which could give fellow Welshman Andy Williams his first start in nine months, having recovered from knee reconstruction surgery.

The England internationals Mike Catt and Matt Perry, who have had their fair share of injury troubles recently, are included in the squad.

Newcastle, who continue with Earl Va'a at fly-half in the absence of England's Jonny Wilkinson, are level on points with Bath.

Harlequins' Ben Gollings has been cited for an alleged act of foul play during last Sunday's defeat by Saracens, but with a date for the hearing yet to be set, he will take his place on the wing against Wasps.