Hull wants Bristol Rugby to 'get the show back on the road' against Coventry

Paul Hull hopes Bristol Rugby's shock defeat at Doncaster can serve as a "stark warning" for his promotion-chasing players ahead of tomorrow's home match with Coventry.

Pre-season Championship promotion favourites Bristol lost 26-22 at lowly Doncaster five days ago, a result that left them eight points behind unbeaten leaders Exeter.

And while head coach Hull hates losing any game, he wants his players to use their loss in Yorkshire as a spur to get their season back on track.

"I don't like losing, but it could be a really good, stark warning for the players that if you don't perform, you're not guaranteed to win anything," said Hull.

"We took a bit of a backward step at the weekend and all of us are really keen to get the show back on the road against Coventry.

"So far we haven't produced a performance that ticks most of the boxes – and it's frustrating we are not stringing a full game together. We're still in the top eight after eight games, but we're here to improve – and that starts again on Friday."

While Hull is mindful of the play-offs that will settle promotion, and therefore satisfied with his team's league position of third, he is yet to be anywhere near satisfied by their level of performance.

"I'm not happy with the performance – and that has always been my driver," he said.

"We have to make sure we're up for it for 80 minutes and play right the way through. So we're looking forward to Friday to get ourselves back on track.

"It is frustrating – and I think the players are frustrated as well. We're just over a third into the league programme and we really want to kick on now.

"We've had some good meetings this week with a lot of honesty – and the proof will be in the pudding on Friday night. We're hoping for a much more clinical and controlled display under a little bit of pressure."

Hull received mixed news on the fitness of his hookers yesterday, with Ross Johnston (knee) ruled out for tomorrow's game but David Blaney (finger) being passed fit.

Flanker Redford Pennycook has been named in an initial 24-man squad after overcoming a neck problem, but lock Mariano Sambucetti (ankle) is set to miss out.

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