ROBERT Sidoli makes his Bristol debut tomorrow, determined his new club will be fighting away from the Guinness Premiership drop zone this season.

Bristol host West Country rivals Bath at the Memorial Stadium with head coach Richard Hill's side written off for their fourth top flight campaign running.

Pundits and bookmakers alike are backing Bristol and Newcastle to be battling against relegation this season – but Wales second row Sidoli believes Bristol can start with a win over last season's third-placed side.

He said: "The belief is here. I know things have been said about predictions and where teams will finish. We don't believe any of that.

"Playing at home and, especially in a derby match, we would back ourselves. We believe in ourselves and we are going to go out there and the word is – prove it.

"The predictions are always made each season. We are determined to prove them wrong. Bristol are a massive team. There's the core supporters and the city is thriving."

Sidoli believes Bristol can be in the mix for a top-six finish.

He added: "Top six is what every club talks about and anything can happen from there.

"But we have got to earn that. I personally don't like to make predictions. We will do the best we can."

But for now, the 28-year-old is looking forward to playing for his new club having come across the Severn from Cardiff Blues this summer.

"This is a new club for me and to be involved in the first game is massive to help me settle," he added.

"Hopefully I can do my best and earn the respect of the boys.

"I haven't played since the middle of November so it is awesome to be involved. I've played in two pre-season matches and I enjoyed them.

"I'm just getting back into the feel of things like the changing room atmosphere. It will be great to go out in front of the Memorial Stadium crowd. I have heard a lot about it."

Bristol hand debuts to new signings centre Junior Fatialofa, fly-half Adrian Jarvis and Sidoli.

Haydn Thomas is at scrum-half with Shaun Perry (shoulder) injured.

Second row Roy Winters (calf), prop Darren Crompton (ankle), centre Neil Brew (hamstring) and Matt Salter (bicep) are also sidelined.

Bath throw Butch James back into league action after returning to the club on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old has played nine Tests for South Africa this summer and missed Bath's entire pre-season programme.