By Matt Majendie

Tindall would rather stay in Bath colours next season

Bath centre Mike Tindall has warned the proposed merger with Bristol is not the way forward for the club.

The amalgamation of the two sides is being discussed by Bath owner Andrew Brownsword and his Bristol counterpart Malcolm Pearce, whose decision to end his five-year backing leaves the club on the brink of bankruptcy.

But Tindall told the BBC Sport website: "Having been a Bath player for six years, I would prefer it if it stays as it is."

The merger of the two clubs would halt any relegation from the Premiership at the end of the season.

Bath are languishing at the bottom of the league on 32 points after their 30-20 defeat to Bristol at the weekend.

But the England centre added: "Bath-Bristol games have always been massive in that respect. I think it showed in 21,000 people turning up that there is support for two clubs in the South West.

"It would be a shame if they were to merge."

We have to win and we have to be confident. Anything less is not enough Mike Tindall on Bath's fight to avoid relegation

Despite raising objections to the proposal, Tindall said the thought of playing as a merged club in front of a 20,000-strong crowd each weekend was a temptation.

He said: "It has its pros and cons but Bath and Bristol have personal identities and it would be a shame to lose them."

On Monday Bath director of rugby Jack Rowell said he believed the merger was likely to go ahead at the end of the season.

But Tindall revealed the players, like Rowell, were being kept in the dark about the probable outcome.

Tindall said: "I've no idea what will happen. If Andrew Brownsword doesn't want to get out then it won't happen.

"But that said, he and Malcolm Pearce have always been rivals in business so I'm not sure if it would work."

Bath have to beat Newcastle in their final game of the season on Saturday to have any chance of avoiding finishing bottom of the league.

Tindall said Bath's players were good enough to pull off a last-ditch victory.

"We've got a chance," he added. "We need to avoid the turnovers in our 22 which blighted our display throughout the Bristol defeat.

"But it's very simple. We have to win and we have to be confident. Anything less is not enough."