BRISTOL'S Championship clash against Moseley tonight is in doubt – with the Memorial Stadium pitch scheduled for an 11.30am inspection.

Chief executive Steve Gorvett said that, although the surface had been covered since Monday, should the overnight forecast of temperatures as low as minus eight degrees have materialised, serious doubt would be cast over this evening's game.

The match is due to kick-off at 7.45pm, with Bristol looking to avenge their 33-27 defeat at Moseley in November and take a major step toward securing a top-two Championship finish.

But Gorvett said: "The pitch has been covered since Monday, but we are concerned.

"We are having a pitch inspection at 11.30, because with the forecast temperature being minus eight, that might make things tricky.

"All we can do is see how it is in the morning and hope for the best.

"To a large extent, there is nothing you can do once you have covered the pitch. It has been soft underneath the covers, but if it does go down to minus eight overnight then that could change."

Bristol have a weekend without a game next week, although Gorvett admitted the club had yet to pencil in an alternative date should this evening's game bite the dust.

"We haven't got that far yet and we had hoped it wouldn't be an issue," he said.

If the game does go ahead, Bristol are expecting to face a Moseley side who raise their game for such occasions.

Kevin Maggs' men have already beaten Bristol twice this season, once in the British & Irish Cup at the Memorial Stadium and once at Billesley Common in the league.

And academy coach Matt Sherratt said: "Moseley certainly raise their game when they play us. They were very competitive at their place and deservedly won.

"We didn't play as well as we could, but that's taking nothing away from them – they scored four tries against us.

"The B&I Cup was slightly different, because we put out more of a development side – but they play a really good brand of rugby. Kevin Maggs has done a really good job there this season and if you look at their attacking stats, they score a lot of tries.

"They've scored more tries than some of the top six, so they are a very competitive side who are difficult to contain in attack.

"I think playing at the Mem on a Friday night in front of a big crowd will probably make them come out with a no-fear attitude."

Bristol, who finally announced the signing of flanker Redford Pennycook yesterday, are ready to hand starts to recent arrivals Henry Vanderglas and Luke Eves tonight, with Mark Lilley and Matthew Jones set to be on the bench.

Pennycook, who is returning to Bristol, is due to undergo shoulder surgery next week and could be unavailable until April.

Bristol (from): S Marsden, G Watkins, F Otto, L Eves, J Tovey, T Roberts, M James, M Jones, R Tipuna (capt), T Slater; D Crompton, M Irish, R Johnston, R Lawrence, M Lilley, W Thompson, J Hobson, M Sambucetti, R Winters, G Townson, H Vanderglas, M Mama, D Montagu, J Ovens.

Moseley: G Hughes; A Carter, B Hunt, A Reay, W Robinson; B Davies, R de la Harpe; C Voisey, A Caves, C Quigley, R Stott, P Spivey, N Mason, M Ellery, C Pennycook. Reps: A O'Donnell, M Gadd, D Sanderson, M Maltman, D Lyons, O Thomas, S Brown.