Budgett's second spell at Bridgend was brief

The 30-year-old, capped 11 times, joins after a month at Bridgend, which was preceded by a year with London Welsh.

"Nathan's signed until the end of the season but there's an option to extend that," said Bristol coach Richard Hill.

"He offers great flexibility with his background in the second row and back row. However, I see him primarily as a No 5 playing the middle jumper role."