Dan Montagu wants Bristol Rugby to use last weekend's shock defeat at Moseley as the catalyst for a run of victories that takes the club back to the Guinness Premiership.

The back-rower felt the 30-25 loss at Billesley Common was a timely reminder to table-topping Bristol that any complacency will be punished over the coming weeks.

Bristol have already proved they are the top team in the Championship – but they must now do it all over again as they head into the promotion play-offs.

Their six-match Pool A campaign kicks off at home to Cornish Pirates this evening – but it will not be until the second leg of the final on May 26 that promotion to the top flight is settled.

And No 8 Montagu is relishing the step-up in intensity and importance over the next 10 weeks.

"I think last weekend just proved that if you rock up and are a little bit complacent, then anyone in this league can roll you," said Montagu.

"We've got to go into these play-offs playing positively, getting our defence right, being aggressive from the start – and then, hopefully, the ball will go our way.

"We're going into a tough play-off competition against Pirates, Bedford and Plymouth – and they are all good sides. We've got to go into each week with the right attitude and play our rugby – and we should be OK.

"Last weekend we showed a lack of composure and a lack of intensity – but we've addressed those issues and I can't see that being a factor coming into these play-offs.

"The guys are going to be up for these games and we should see some big hits, some good games and, hopefully, we can get the right results."

Bristol have already beaten every one of their possible play-off opponents at least once this season – and completed doubles over Pirates, Plymouth, London Welsh, Bedford and Nottingham.

But Montagu accepts a new season kicks off tonight – with past performances and results counting for little.

"Throughout the season, it has always felt like we've been playing towards the end game, which is the play-offs," he said.

"You knew that if you finished in the top eight you would qualify, but it was tough to finish on top of the table and we achieved that.

"Now we're into the play-off structure, we're going to have to refocus. It's been a long season but this is the business end – and if we want to get promoted, we're going to have to perform.

"Both pools are going to be strong and you don't just have to get through your group but the semi-final and two legs of the final. It will be a tough few weeks for everyone and we're no different."

Having overcome hamstring and neck problems, Montagu is now fully fit and keenly looking forward to playing a key role in the play-offs.

With locks Roy Winters and Mariano Sambucetti unavailable this evening, the former Nottingham man has benefited from a forward reshuffle which sees No 8 James Phillips moved to the second row.

And he is eager to keep his place in the side as the key stage of the season approaches.

"It's a good time to be back fully fit and we've got quite a few boys back now, so there's a lot of competition for places," said Montagu.

"You've got to be at the top of your game or you're going to be taken off or put on the bench. You're fighting for that one spot and all you can do is keep on performing and see if you're in the team the following week. There is no reason for the boys not to be at their best now, so we should be seeing some exciting rugby."