Bristol head coach Paul Hull says he is looking forward to the challenge of the new Championship division.

Bristol were relegated from the Guinness Premiership last season and will now compete in the new 12-team league in English rugby's second tier.

"I'm excited by the season as a whole and by what this team can achieve," Hull told BBC Points West.

"All those 12 teams are more-or-less fully professional so there's a tighter edge to that league."

The regular season will finish at the end of February before the top eight teams enter a play-off system.

The winner of the play-off final at Twickenham in May will be promoted to the Premiership.

Obviously people will talk about the players that have left but it is what it is and we are where we are Paul Hull

"It's going to be a tough league to get out of but I think we'll be there or thereabouts," Hull said.

A number of players left the Memorial Stadium after the club dropped out of the top flight.

But replacements have been brought in and Hull believes his squad is capable of returning to the Premiership.

"Obviously people will talk about the players that have left but it is what it is and we are where we are," he said.

"I'm happy [with the squad]. We've trawled the leagues and managed to find some of the better players.

"We've done a lot of work behind the scenes getting the attitude right and the culture right and getting some leaders in the team."

Bristol kick off their Championship campaign against London Welsh at home on Sunday.

"It's a very good traditional club with a lot of history. They were one of the big clubs back in the day," said Hull.

"There'll be some supporters coming from London way and across the bridge.

"That old English-Welsh rivalry is being renewed to a certain extent. They'll be tough opposition and they'll be up there this year."

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