Coach Hill is confident with Bristol's new game plan

Bristol head coach Richard Hill has "overhauled" his bottom-of-the-table team's game plan in the six weeks since they last played a Premiership game.

With five defeats in five matches up to 1 October, Hill told BBC Radio Bristol the break could prove a turning point.

"We needed this time away to try and sort things out," he said. "We've been trying to overhaul our game plan and finalize our selection."

Bristol resume league action when they host Northampton on Sunday.

"It's a chance to save the season, it's a massive game for us," said Hill. "A win could turn things round.

"We are reasonably confident we have made significant changes to the game [in the break].

"And we should be better for it going into the Guinness Premiership.

606: DEBATE How long has coach Richard Hill got to turn it around before questions are asked about his position? chewy002

Bristol's last Guinness Premiership match was a 16-23 against Saracens since when they have been knocked out of the EDF Energy Cup while winning one and losing one match apiece in the European Challenge Cup.

"We've changed what we've needed to change and improved what we've needed to improve," Hill added.

"The proof will be in our game on Sunday against Northampton."

Bristol head in to Sunday's match at the Memorial Stadium against Saints without the injured Nathan Budgett, who will be out for four to six weeks with a knee injury.

But Hill said he was reasonably confident centre Neil Brew and hooker Mark Regan will be available for the game.

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