Paul Hull took charge of Bristol's 32-13 defeat at Sale – but then said he expected Richard Hill to be back at the helm on Monday morning.

Head coach Hill missed last night's Guinness Premiership loss at Edgeley Park amid mounting speculation he is about to leave the club and will be replaced by Hull, his assistant coach.

But Hull played down rumours that Hill will not return to the Premiership's bottom club, even though the head coach did not take training all week and was conspicuous by his absence last night.

The decision for Hull to lead the week's training and take charge of the side at Edgeley Park was made in the wake of last week's humiliating 35-3 home defeat to Newcastle. And Hull claimed the move had been engineered by Hill.

"Friday night was a bit devastating for all of us at the club – it was embarrassing for us to lose like that in front of our own supporters," said Hull.

"We had a good heart-to-heart meeting with coaches and players on Monday and Richard gave me the responsibility this week, he just saw it as a different voice.

"So I took training and he decided not to come up, as I had taken the week and it was a matter of someone else taking the boys.

"I think it will be all back to normal on Monday morning. He is head coach, I am assistant coach, so that's the way it will be.

"All I know is that I was given the responsibility this week. Richard is the head coach, and on Monday morning I will be assistant coach and we'll go from there."

Bristol led 6-0 after making a positive start to last night's game – but soon fell behind as Sale claimed a bonus point thanks to tries from Eifion Roberts, Juan-Martin Fernandez Lobbe, Nick Macleod and Neil Briggs.

Dan Ward-Smith replied with a late try for Bristol, but it was scant consolation for a side who remain nine points behind Worcester at the bottom of the table.

"It has been a tricky week, and after the result last Friday, it took a lot to build the boys back up," said Hull.

"We played with a bit of passion and the players were up for the fight, which was good. I am really pleased how they responded.

"We started pretty well and we were pleased with that at half-time. But after that our discipline let us down badly."