Bristol Rugby captain Winters to miss Moseley clash

Bristol Rugby club captain Roy Winters has been ruled out of Bristol's Championship clash with Moseley tomorrow after failing to recover from a groin injury.

But head coach Paul Hull is backing Mariano Sambucetti to continue his assured running of the line-out following his impressive display in Sunday's win at Cornish Pirates.

The Argentina lock took over at short notice when Winters tweaked a groin in Bristol's final training run before the 35-13 win at Camborne Rec.

Winters, who travelled to Cornwall, admitted after Sunday's game that he would be doubtful for tomorrow's visit of Moseley.

Bristol will return to the top of the Championship – at least until Saturday afternoon – if they fare better against Moseley than Nottingham do at Coventry tomorrow evening.

But Hull is not prepared to gamble on the fitness of one of his most important players.

"We are not going to push people if there is an element of doubt," said Hull.

"We will always try our best to give people time to heal, but in this case, Sambucetti and James Phillips worked well together at the weekend.

"I was really pleased with Sambu, who called the line-out for the first time and called it well. He now has an opportunity to continue in that role."

Winters' absence against the Pirates also allowed 19-year-old Academy lock Darren Barry to make his first senior appearance for the club.

And he looks set to win another chance tomorrow after being named in Hull's initial 24-man squad, along with fellow Academy youngster Jack Tovey.

"Roy's injury obviously gave Darren Barry an opportunity at the weekend – and maybe he will have another opportunity on Friday," said Hull.

"The strategy is working at the moment and I am really pleased Darren got the chance to make his debut in Cornwall. Hopefully he will get some more game-time this week."

Hull plans to use his Academy players throughout the regular 22-game Championship season – and fly-half Mark Davies is another who has seen game-time.

Last weekend he returned to National League Two South club Lydney, with whom he holds dual registration this season, and scored 15 points as they fought back from 20-8 down to beat Henley 30-20.

"Mark Davies played for Lydney and he can put into practice there some of the elements of game management he has picked up at Bristol," said Hull.

Bristol (from): Backs – L Arscott, T Arscott, J Tovey, D Norton, J Adams, L Eves, J Fatialofa, A Jarvis, C Ashwin, J Spice, R Shaw. Forwards – A Clarke, M Irish, D Blaney, R Johnston, D Crompton, W Thompson, D Barry, M Sambucetti, J Phillips, I Grieve, J Merriman, R Pennycook, D Montagu.