NEW signing Adrian Jarvis cannot wait to taste his first

ever Bristol-Bath derby at the Memorial Stadium in 10 days'

time.

The 24-year-old fly-half – one of the club's two major

summer acquisitions – is expected to be head coach Richard

Hill's new on-field general and should start at No 10 in the

Guinness Premiership opener.

Jarvis has faced several London derbies during his time at

Harlequins – but he says those clashes pale into insignificance

when it comes to the famous West Country contests.

Jarvis said: "It's only 10 days away now. Depending on

selection, I cannot wait to get out there and get started.

"It is a local derby – the local derby. It will be my first

experience of the game so I am looking forward to that.

"There's a lot of tradition that goes with it. There should

be a good atmosphere in the crowd, which is a good thing for

the start of the season."

Bath, who finished third last term but failed to make any

impact on the play-offs, have had a better pre-season than

Bristol. Head coach Steve Meehan's side beat Ulster 15-7 and

Llanelli Scarlets 24-16 while former England and Bath boss Andy

Robinson brings his Edinburgh outfit to the Recreation Ground

tomorrow night.

Bristol, meanwhile, have lost to First Division Exeter

Chiefs 15-6 before bouncing back with a 15-12 victory over

Glasgow Warriors.

But Jarvis believes Bristol are improving minute by minute

and the club do not go into the September 7 clash as

underdogs.

The England Saxons international added: "It should be a very

intense first game of the season. They had a great season last

term. They are a very strong side.

"We are looking forward to the challenge. I don't know

whether we are underdogs or not.

"We've built from our first pre-season friendly. I'm sure

they will be learning the same things as we are.

"With also the new ELVs (13 new laws are now on trial for a

year at all levels) being used for the first time in a

competitive match it is going to be quite open."

Jarvis should again lead the backline when Bristol bring

their pre-season programme to a close at Newport on Saturday

(2.30pm).

Bristol, whose second team have crushed Pontypool 43-3 and a

Bristol Combination XV 67-3, have yet to register a try this

pre-season at first-team level. But he added: "In terms of our

attack, we need to be a bit more threatening. We haven't scored

a try yet.

"That's just something we have to do. We have made steps

forward this pre-season. The next step is to get the attack

really flowing."