Hill is planning for two seasons in Newport while Bristol's Memorial Stadium is rebuilt.

Bristol head coach Richard Hill has signed Newbury fly-half Chris Ashwin, 20, and 21-year-old Cornish All Blacks scrum-half Sam Alford.

Hill has a track record of unearthing National League talent, with the likes of Shaun Perry having been picked for England since moving to Bristol.

"Sam and Chris are young prospects who show potential," said Hill.

"They've both featured regularly in National League Division One so they've gained some valuable experience."

He added: "Obviously the Guinness Premiership is a step up so they'll be joining us for next season and we'll see how they develop as the campaign progresses."

Alford and Ashwin will join Samoan centre Junior Fatialofa at Bristol in the summer, whose signing from Exeter Chiefs was announced in April.