Luke Eves is desperate to hang on to the Bristol Rugby No 13 shirt after making a try-scoring return to the starting line-up.

The 20-year-old has been in and out of Paul Hull's first XV for much of the season, starting consecutive matches only once all term.

But the former England Under-20 vice-captain caught the eye in last weekend's 24-14 Championship win over Plymouth and hopes to retain his place for Sunday's trip to Nottingham.

And with Jack Adams having been Hull's first-choice outside centre this season, Sam Giddens and Junior Fatialofa capable of doing a job in the position and former Bath and England Saxons No 13 Alex Crockett soon to become available, Eves knows there is only one way he can keep his place.

"You've just got to keep playing well," he said.

"If you play well, you've got nothing to worry about, because how can someone take the shirt off you if you're playing at the top of your game?

"It's just about concentrating, not making many mistakes and having a real go on the weekend. I'd definitely like to have started more games this season – everyone would.

"But I've been happy with the starts I've been getting. At the start of the season we were doing a rotation policy and I've been getting time off the bench.

"And my last two starts, against Pirates and Plymouth, I thought were really good games for me, so I'm pretty happy.

"We're all in it together and we'll all be pushing each other along. Whoever has the shirt will give it the best they can – you've got to give it your best or someone else will get a go."

Eves does not celebrate his 21st birthday until April, yet he has already made 44 first-team appearances for Bristol – 50 when you throw friendlies into the mix.

But he is not letting his lack of years become an excuse for anything – and is eager to take every opportunity that comes his way between now and the end of the season.

"If you ask any of the boys, they'll tell you I'm quite hard on myself in terms of performance," said Eves.

"I don't let my age become an excuse. I am still 20 but against Plymouth it was my 50th appearance for the club.

"I don't take too much notice of that kind of thing, I just like to be playing well and take my opportunities when they come."

Bristol have won their last 10 league matches, taking try-scoring bonus points from nine of them, but Eves is not the only player at the club to believe there is much more to come.

"We haven't played to our best yet but we're still picking up the bonus points," he said.

"We're not getting too far ahead of ourselves. The performance at the weekend probably wasn't one of our best and there is definitely still a lot more to come from this team."

Bristol (from): Backs – L Arscott, T Arscott, L Robinson, J Adams, L Eves, S Giddens, A Jarvis, J Spice, R Shaw, S Alford. Forwards – M Irish, D Blaney, R Johnston, W Thompson, D Crompton, M Vunipola, M Sambucetti, N Budgett, R Winters, R Pennycook, J Miller, J Merriman, I Grieve, J Phillips.