Bristol and South African side Bulls meet at Ashton Gate this afternoon in a huge clash in the Investec Champions Cup.
The home side got back on track after a disappointing loss to Exeter at the turn of the new year with an impressive win away at Sale.
Pat Lam’s side snapped Sale’s 12-match winning sequence in the Premiership, with Max Malins and Gabriel Ibitoye starring for the rampant visitors.
Their uneven domestic form leaves them sitting second from bottom in the league but attention now turns to their European aspirations.
Bristol won their opening Champions Cup clash in a nailbiter against Lyon at Ashton Gate but after a loss to Bordeaux, they now face what is a near must-win in front of their home fans.
The game is similarly significant for Bulls, who sit two pots above Bristol in Pool 1 but only via points difference.
A powerful victory over Saracens in South Africa advertised the strength of the southern hemisphere outfit but after a loss in Lyon to follow, they must now show their ability to win away from home.
Springbok stars Willie le Roux, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Canan Moodie have not travelled for the side for this one, with coach Jake White preferring to keep them on ice for Bordeaux’s visit to Loftus Versfeld on January 20.
Director of Rugby, Pat Lam, said: “We’ve spoken all week about how we owe our home fans a performance – we were so disappointed with the result against Exeter but we’re relishing the opportunity in front of our record European crowd at Ashton Gate.
“This is a huge challenge for us against a Bulls side ranked number one for attack in the URC, so we’ll have to be at our best, as one team, again this weekend.”