Bristol Rugby's youngsters are pushing for first-team places, says Middleton

Academy manager Liam Middleton believes several of Bristol Rugby's young squad members will be pushing hard for starting places in the forthcoming Championship play-offs.

Outstanding prop Mako Vunipola and winger George Watkins were among the try-scorers as their side overwhelmed Coventry 40-15 in a home British & Irish Cup tie, while the athletic Darren Barry turned in a fine display at lock, impressing in the line-out and with his high work-rate.

Mako Vunipola helped Bristol Rugby to victory over Coventry in the British & Irish Cup

Middleton, who took charge of Bristol's squad for the tie, said: "Playing in a game like this is a big step up for the guys, there's no question about that.

"We try to make sure the focus is on doing the basic skills well and ensuring that they're physically ready for championship rugby.

"They have the talent, so it's a question of can they cope with the intensity?

"We're working with the guys over the season, so it's a long-term process, but some of them are pushing hard, and if we have to call on them for the play-offs I know that we can do so with confidence."

Middleton is understandably wary of putting too much pressure on 19-year-old Vunipola but admitted: "He has huge potential and could go a very long way. There are a lot of areas of his game that we need to work on but he definitely showed today what he can do.

"We've devised a special programme for Mako, because he's a special athlete and very different to a lot of other props his age. We have a great responsibility to manage his development."

Bristol's victory was also important for several senior players returning to action from injury, including openside flanker James Merriman, who proved his fitness with an all-action display capped by two tries, which secured him the man of the match accolade.

The former Wales sevens squad member said: "I was out with my knee for six weeks so needed to get 80 minutes under my belt. I'm glad to be back, as I was disappointed not to get on last week at Nottingham.

"There is a lot of competition here for back-row places and we're all pushing each other hard."

Merriman now hopes to feature in Saturday's trip to London Welsh as the regular championship season edges towards its conclusion ahead of the play-offs, beginning next month.

He added: "We lost a bit of momentum last month because of the snow and bad weather, but I really think we're building again now."