Hill makes four changes to the team that started against Saracens last weekend and two further positional changes. The return of England scrum half Shaun Perry is the only change in the backline whereas, up front in the pack, Mark Regan, Jason Hobson and Matt Salter all return.

The two positional changes see Nathan Budgett move from blindside flanker to the second row and Darren Crompton move from tighthead to loosehead.

Unavailable for selection this weekend were NZ Maori centre Neil Brew who is still recovering from a kick to the calf and Samoan winger David Lemi whose return to Britain after flying home to get married has been delayed.

Hill acknowledges that it will be a tough opener for his team who are relatively inexperienced at this level:

"Cardiff have got a huge incentive. The final is going to be played at the Millennum Stadium and they would dearly love to play in the final in their home city."

"They're taking it seriously. They've bolstered their squad, they're much stronger up front and a much more physical side. I think they're now more capable of taking on Europe than in previous years."

"But our players are going in there with no fear. Few of them have experienced Heineken Cup rugby so they're just really looking forward to it and are going to give everything they can."

"Mark Regan will come back in which is tough on David Blaney as he and Sean Hohneck have helped to shore up our lineout and of course scored two tries last weekend. But Ronnie is a rock for us and we'll be calling on his experience."

This will be Bristol's 52nd game in European competition but only the seventh in the Heineken Cup.

Tickets are still available to purchase from the club shop which will be open from 10 am to 3pm on Saturday and over the phone on 029 2030 2030 during the same hours.
The online ticket shop will offer 24 hour booking for people wishing to collect their tickets. The match day ticket office will be open from 9am on Sunday morning for personal callers and collection of pre booked tickets.
With a five figure crowd expected fans are asked to arrive early to collect tickets and are reminded that they MUST enter the ground via the entrance marked on their season / match ticket. An extra ticket checking cordon will be in place, with persons approaching the wrong entrance likely to be turned away.
Junior supporters are asked not to bring balls to the ground as these will now have to be left outside the turnstiles until after the match following a number of accidents and damages caused by their use on match day in car parks and spectator areas.
Bristol Rugby: David Hill; Tom Arscott, Sam Cox, Rob Higgitt, Lee Robinson; Jason Strange, Shaun Perry; Darren Crompton, Mark Regan, Jason Hobson; Nathan Budgett, Sean Hohneck; Matt Salter, Joe El Abd, Andrew Blowers Replacements: David Blaney, Alex Clarke, Roy Winters, Alfie To'oala, Dan Ward-Smith, Brian O'Riordan, Josh Taumalolo