Preview: Bristol Rugby v Yorkshire Carnegie

Carnegie fell to a 26-22 loss to London Scottish last weekend, surrendering an eight point lead at the Richmond Athletic Ground.

In the second game of the season, Bristol recorded a 26-13 win at Headingley. Auguy Slowik bagged a brace for the visitors, while Matthew Morgan struck sixteen points with the boot in a scrappy affair.

Currently in eighth but still with an outside chance of a spot in the top four, Tommy McGee's men went down 17-36 to second-placed Worcester Warriors in their last home outing.

Former Bristol duo Ollie Hayes and David McIlwaine now represent Yorkshire and could feature in Sunday's Ashton Gate clash.

Following this weekend, Yorkshire Carnegie return to the West Country for the B&I Cup quarter-final on Friday (7.45pm KO).

Team news

Tommaso Benvenuti is set for his competitive debut for Bristol Rugby on Sunday (3pm KO).

The Italian international – who starts on the wing - featured in the friendly defeat to Harlequins on Monday.

Andy Robinson makes a total of four changes to the side ahead of the Ashton Gate clash.

Rhys Lawrence will make his first league start of the campaign, while Ben Glynn comes into the second row.

Gareth Maule returns to the midfield alongside Ben Mosses and David Lemi skippers the side.

Mark Sorenson and Dwayne Peel are listed among the replacements as Bristol target a twelfth successive victory in the Greene King IPA Championship.

Bristol Rugby team to face Yorkshire Carnege at Ashton Gate on Sunday, 18 January (3pm KO):

Auguy Slowik; Tommaso Benvenuti, Gareth Maule, Ben Mosses, David Lemi (c); Matthew Morgan, Craig Hampson; Kyle Traynor, Rhys Lawrence, Anthony Perenise, Ian Evans, Ben Glynn, Marco Mama, Olly Robinson, Mitch Eadie.

Replacements: Chris Brooker, James Hall, Mark Sorenson, Nick Koster, Dwayne Peel, Nicky Robinson, Andy Short.