Hooker Mark Regan says his final appearance on a rugby pitch will be an emotional occasion when Bristol play Leicester in the Guinness Premiership.

Former England international Regan, 37, decided to retire earlier this year and has been selected as a replacement for Saturday's trip to the Walkers Stadium.

"It would be lovely to finish on a high," he told BBC Radio Bristol.

"If they're complacent and drop off and we play to 95% of our ability they'll lose, because we are not a bad side."

Regan won 46 caps for England, was part of his country's World Cup squads in 2003 and 2007 and became a Lion on the 1997 tour to South Africa.

Closer to home, he began his career with Bristol in 1991 and returned to the Memorial Stadium in 2005 after spells with Bath and Leeds.

Bristol's relegation from the Premiership is a sad conclusion to Regan's 18-year playing career, but he lists plenty of happier memories looking back over his time at the club.

"Beating Bath and Gloucester; coming third in the Championship and getting to the play-off finals - it was all great fun," he added.

"I've been on a great emotional journey at Bristol, and a great journey with England while being at Bristol.

"I've had a great time in rugby. It has looked after me immensely and that is why I cannot leave the game completely because I know I've got a lot of experience to give back to people."

Regan is already doing that in his capacity as Clifton forwards coach and helped the club reach the EDF Intermediate Cup final at Twickenham against Hartpury College, where they lost 41-31 last weekend.

But it is back to the professional ranks this weekend for one final fling along with long-serving flanker Matt Salter, who is also set to leave the club and has been named as a replacement.

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Head coach Paul Hull has described himself as being unsentimental over such matters, but Regan is raring to get on even if he would have preferred to bow out at home.

He said: "It's been coming for a long time. Every professional player knows when the time's right and it feels right. I'm 37 now, I'm getting on and it's the start of a new chapter.

"There aren't many harder places to go and play, but I'm looking forward to playing at the football stadium and not Welford Road. It will be an emotional day and a tough day.

"I'll keep looking up to see where Paul is and saying 'when am I getting on?'

"I'm not the only person on the bench. There's Salts as well who may well be playing his last game for Bristol and he's going to want to get on the paddock as well to play. I've sat on the bench 34 times for England and I know how to prepare myself."

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