Stade v Bristol - Teams

Bristol coach Richard Hill has named a settled side for the Heineken Cup trip to Stade Francais, while the French will be without the services of Juan Martin Hernandez.

Hill makes just one change from the side that beat Saracens at home in the Guinness Premiership last weekend, Darren Crompton switching to loosehead prop with Jason Hobson coming in at tighthead.

On the replacements bench Redford Pennycook comes with Hill opting for five forwards, with David Hill also returning to the matchday 22.

The West country outfit are level on points with Cardiff Blues at the top of Pool 3, but sitting three points adrift of both teams Stade know that Friday's is a 'must-win' clash for them.

Fabien Galthie's men boast a formidable home record and will be looking for a measure of revenge having been defeated 17-0 in the reverse fixture in November.

However, Stade will have to make do without the services of Argentine Hernandez who has returned home with an injury meaning David Skrela will start at fly-half.

Despite that, Hill accepts that the hosts will start as big favourites, but insists his team are capable of pulling off what would be a surprise result.

Confidence growing

"With our away record, and Stade's home record, you'd put a lot of money on Stade! However, confidence is growing in our squad and at this stage I don't think they're daunted by the prospect of going to Paris," the Bristol coach stated.

"The French are a different proposition at home. They don't travel well but they're a different animal altogether at home.

"I think they were pretty upset to lose at our place and particularly disappointed the way we outplayed them up front. I think our forwards will have a tough time out there.

"But our pack will be up for it, It'll be lively for sure."

Stade Francais: 15-Ignacio Corleto, 14-Julien Arias, 13-Stephane Glas, 12-Mathieu Bastareaud, 11-Christophe Dominici, 10-David Skrela, 9-Alexandre Albouy; 1-David Attoub, 2-Dimitri Szarzewski, 3-Rodrigo Roncero, 4-Boela Du Plooy, 5-Pascal Pape, 6-Pierre Rabadan, 7-Remy Martin, 8-Sergio Parisse
Replacements: Damien Weber, Franck Montanella, Arnaud Marchois, Mauro Bergamasco, Jerome Fillol, Lionel Beauxis, Mirco Bergamasco

Bristol: 15-Luke Arscott, 14-Tom Arscott, 13-Rob Higgitt, 12-Neil Brew, 11-David Lemi, 10-Jason Strange, 9-Brian O'Riordan; 1-Darren Crompton, 2-Mark Regan, 3-Jason Hobson, 4-Roy Winters, 5-Sean Hohneck, 6-Matt Salter (Cap), 7-Joe El Abd, 8-Andrew Blowers
Replacements: Scott Linklater, Alex Clarke, Dave Attwood, Alfie To'oala, Redford Pennycook, Graeme Beveridge, David Hill