The Mark Regan Column:

The pressure has been slightly lifted since Bristol Rugby's first win of the season last Friday – but I would swap four points in the European Challenge Cup for four in the Guinness Premiership any day.

That victory against Toulon last Friday meant a lot to everyone at the club and to our supporters – I can't fail to mention how 5,445 of them made the noise of 12,000 and every player appreciated that support.

We knew that we owed the Bristol Rugby fans a win and a good performance – but the hard work did not finish when the final whistle went.

Bigger challenges lie ahead, and although that result and performance may have kick-started our season and relieved some pressure, we know that is now the level we have to reach week in, week out.

We have proved we can win – and win professionally – and get all aspects of our game right. Each individual halved their error count against Toulon and that makes a significant difference.

But we also butchered four or five try-scoring opportunities, which we are going to have to take against Northampton in the league on November 16.

And everything is geared toward that Northampton game – if I'm honest, it has been since we signed off in the Premiership against Saracens earlier this month.

We have got an EDF Energy Cup game at Llanelli tonight, but the club's mindset at the moment is Northampton, Northampton, Northampton. It's all about peaking when we play them.

But Llanelli is a good chance for some people to press their claims to play in that Northampton game. Maybe those of us who played against Toulon had a bit of a head start, but it is up to the rest to have their say now.

The guys who play tonight have got a real chance to go and spoil the Scarlets' party. We know it's the last game at Stradey Park and how significant that is to Llanelli – but we are going there to win a game of rugby.

It is a great feeling when you go away from home and win a game you are expected to lose – and that is the pot of gold awaiting our players tonight.

Darren Crompton starts tonight – and it's good to have the Sweet Trolley back. He is a big character around Bristol Rugby and everyone is delighted to see him back.