Paul Hull is expecting a positive response from his Bristol Rugby players when they launch their promotion play-off bid against Cornish Pirates this evening.

Bristol's 13-match winning run was brought crashing to a halt by Moseley last weekend – but head coach Hull has backed his players to rise to the challenge in tonight's high-pressure clash at the Memorial Stadium.

When it has mattered this season – notably in away matches at Exeter and London Welsh – Bristol have produced the goods.

And with his side about to head into the crucial stage of their campaign, Hull trusts his players to deliver again.

"Records and runs have to be stopped – they can't go on forever," said Hull.

"But this is a game we want to win. Let's be honest now, this is the game. Last weekend, as much as we talked about the game, there wasn't anything riding on it – and I think this team does like to rise to pressure and the stakes being raised.

"I think we know that you will see a different Bristol side out there this week."

Bristol's defeat at ninth-placed Moseley last weekend was their first in the league since an equally surprising loss at Doncaster in October.

But their form in between was good enough to guarantee top spot in the Championship at the conclusion of the regular season – and, with it, top seeding for the promotion play-offs.

And Hull's men have already proved they can beat Pirates both at home and away this season, winning 35-13 at Camborne in October and 31-15 at the Memorial Stadium on New Year's Day.

"We're prepared for Friday and we're raring to go," said Hull."Yes, we had a blip last weekend, but I will always try to take the positives from anything and it has gelled us even tighter and given us extra motivation to perform better this weekend.

"We've planned for this period and everyone is really excited – not just the players and coaching staff but the off-field team as well. Everyone involved with the club is really excited about this home match on Friday and the forthcoming period.

"We had two very different games against Pirates in the league. One was played in the wet down there when they had a few injuries, and they had a different side when they came to the Memorial Stadium.

"We were at home and on a pretty good run then, and we won that game, but there are different stakes in place now. They have got a bit more consistency in their selection, plus it's the play-offs, so we know it will be a tough fixture.

"In the play-offs, you've got to progress positively and build momentum again – and it's great for us to start at home."

With Roy Winters injured and Mariano Sambucetti away with Argentina, Hull has moved James Phillips from the back row to the second row for this evening's game, while recent signing Alex Crockett has not even made the match-day squad.

Bristol Rugby: L Arscott; L Robinson, L Eves, J Fatialofa, D Norton; A Jarvis, J Spice (capt); M Irish, R Johnston, W Thompson, J Phillips, N Budgett, I Grieve, R Pennycook, D Montagu. Reps: O Hayes, D Crompton, D Barry, J Merriman, R Shaw, M Davies, J Adams.

Cornish Pirates: R Cook; A Havili, M Ireland, T Luke, N Jackson; J Bentley, G Cattle (capt); C Rimmer, R Elloway, A Paver, L McGlone, R Labuschagne, C Morgan, D Ward, B Cowan. Reps: P Andrew, R Prosser, S Franklin, L Collins, M Evans, M Myerscough, J Doherty.