Regan: Bristol must bounce back this weekend

We are only five weeks into the new season, but Bristol have already conceded bragging rights and a psychological edge to one of their nearest promotion rivals.

That is the only way you can view their 35-26 home defeat against Exeter last weekend.

You can talk all you like about tactics, game-plans or whatever else – but the simple fact of the matter is that Bristol turned over far too much ball against Exeter.

There were more than 20 turnovers, which means handing the ball over on more than 20 occasions for the other side to attack with. You simply cannot do that against decent sides.

Exeter will be absolutely buzzing with confidence now, knowing they have won what is arguably going to be their most difficult game of the season – and taken five points from it, while denying Bristol a losing bonus point.

Quite rightly there have been some harsh words said this week – and Bristol are going to have to be a lot better at Cornish Pirates this weekend.

That is another tough game – there really is no respite in this division.

Bristol will still go into this game as favourites and they will have worked on their ball retention all week.

I am sure there will be a backlash this weekend – there certainly should be.

All is certainly not lost yet for Bristol – far from it. I would expect Exeter to be up there at the end of the season, with Bristol pushing them all the way.

But Bristol really need to get back on the bike this weekend. They need to go down to Cornish Pirates and get five points in the bag – that must be the aim.

Because there cannot be any further slip-ups. Bristol need to show a ruthless edge against sides like Cornish Pirates – they need to send a message to the rest of the Championship.

Finally, I would like to mention how sorry I feel for Ed Barnes at the moment. He was so close to playing again after rupturing his Achilles in April – so to have ruptured the same Achilles again is devastating for him. I wish him all the best in his rehabilitation.