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, writes Matt Cain.

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