KEVIN Maggs is enjoying the best period of his second spell at Bristol but he knows only a top display at Newport today will book a place for the Guinness Premiership opener against Bath a week tomorrow.

The former Ireland centre re-signed for the club from Ulster after nine years away last summer – and, due to several niggly injuries, made only one first-team appearance last season.

But, having started the club's previous two first-team friendlies at Exeter and Glasgow, he wins his third full outing in a row at Rodney Parade this afternoon (2.30pm).

"There's so much competition for places and everyone is fighting for a place in the side to face Bath – Newport could be the deciding factor," said the 34-year-old.

"Bath is a big game and it is a derby. It is the first home game of the season – and it is a big game that everyone wants to be involved in.

"We will have to wait and see what happens. We are being kept on our toes."

Maggs hopes Bristol can start the new campaign with a packed Memorial Stadium cheering them to the rafters.

His last appearance for the club was before a crowd of 5,751 for the 13-13 home draw with Leeds in the EDF Energy Cup last December.

He added: "I've not experienced (a full Memorial Stadium) for a few years. But it is fantastic when the crowd get behind us and we are playing well.

"A lot of the boys enjoy playing there. It is great for the confidence."

Maggs partners new signing Junior Fatialofa for the second game running, with youngster Luke Eves on the bench. Neil Brew is still battling to be fit for the league opener.

As reported in the Evening Post yesterday, Hill has named a full set of forwards on the bench including newly-signed Wales lock Robert Sidoli.

So far this pre-season, Bristol have lost to Exeter 15-6 but beaten Glasgow 15-12, while the second team have thrashed Pontypool and a Bristol Combination XV.

Maggs believes Bristol will be given another hard encounter by Welsh Premier Division side Newport, who would have been the club's landlords for two years had the Memorial Stadium rebuild not been postponed.

"It will be a tough game. There's a lot at stake. We have to look at the big picture, focus on what we want to do as a team and hopefully get the result," he added.

"The game is about trying things and putting a marker down. We were pleased with the win (at Glasgow). That was a tough match and it was a good test of our match fitness."

Bristol: L Arscott; T Arscott, J Fatialofa, K Maggs, D Lemi; A Jarvis, H Thomas; M Irish, D Blaney, J Hobson, R Winters, N Budgett, A Blowers, J El-Abd, D Ward-Smith. Reps: V Lilo, L Robinson, G Barden, L Eves, N Scott, E Barnes, G Beveridge, A Clarke, S Linklater, P Bracken, M Sambucetti, R Sidoli, R Pennycook, R Jenkins, J Phillips