One of Paul Hull's former protégés is backing Bristol Rugby to bounce back to the Guinness Premiership next year.

England scrum-half Paul Hodgson was one of the try-scorers as London Irish's 38-21 win over Bristol at the Madejski Stadium – coupled with Worcester's 22-8 win over Saracens – condemned Bristol to their third relegation in 10 years.

But the 26-year-old, who spent two years under new head coach Hull when he was in Bristol's Under-21 side, believes the Memorial Stadium outfit will dominate the Championship next season.

He said: "I am upset for Bristol, because it is such a good club in a rugby city. It is such as shame that they have to go down.

"I'm pretty sure they will bounce back up again and I'm pretty sure Paul Hull is the man to do that. This time they'll have a one-year target (for promotion).

"It is strange because in 2003 when London Irish beat Bristol to send them down, I was playing for Bristol. I know what it feels like to be in that changing room after the game. I had Agustin Pichot and Garath Archer giving speeches, saying that 'it was a learning curve in your career and the boys have to bounce back from it'."

Hodgson was on the bench when Bristol lost 41-21 at the Madejski Stadium in May 2003 to be relegated.

He was one of the few players to remain at the club and was first choice scrum-half in the 2003-04 National Division One campaign.

And now he is urging Bristol's young guns to relish a season in the English second tier before coming back stronger the year after.

Hodgson added: "Some of the older guys will move on because they have few playing years left. They will want to play at the highest possible level they can. You cannot blame them for that. Unfortunately, that's rugby.

"But to the young players – I've said it time and time again – Division One is not a bad league to learn your trade.

"You can come out of that league. Nick Easter did it at Harlequins. There are plenty of other players who have been there and done it.

"I was aged 22 and I played 33 games for Bristol in National Division One against some good players that were either going down or up through the leagues.

"I always say that was the most important season of my career so I encourage the youngsters to stay at the club. Stay as a unit and carry on learning off Paul Hull."

Club legend Hull guided Bristol Under-21s to three consecutive league titles from 1999-2000 but, after being promoted from Academy manager to assistant coach in 2002, turned down the head coach job to join London Irish.

He returned to the club after a two-year break in 2005 and was made Bristol boss in February after the club parted company with Richard Hill.

"I think he is a fantastic," added Hodgson. "I had him for two years in the Academy and that was when the Under-21 league was still going.

"We didn't have the best team on paper but he certainly knew how to get the best out of everyone.

"We gelled as a team and played for each other. He wanted the boys to play rugby. I thought he was very astute in his thinking.

"He made training enjoyable but it was strict. He definitely helped shape my career."