Wayne Thompson has one birthday wish for the rest of the season – that Bristol will continue to improve under new head coach Paul Hull before claiming a second league victory of the campaign, writes Matt Cain.

Hull goes in search of his maiden victory as head coach when basement side Bristol visit third-from-bottom Wasps in the Guinness Premiership tomorrow.

Despite not winning in the league since November, Bristol have seen an upturn in performance – and started to give the ball some air – during the former England full-back's four previous matches in charge.

Bristol remain odds on for the drop – with second-from-bottom Worcester 11 points clear – but Thompson, who must again be content with a place on the bench, believes a second Premiership win of the campaign is not far away.

He said: "As long as we can show we're improving each game, hopefully we can pick up a few wins.

"We have been taking positives out of each game.

"We are looking to improve in each game and I think we have.

"Maybe due to a little bit of ill-discipline, we allowed Leicester to come back into the match (and win 23-17 last Friday) but there are some positives to be taken from that defeat.

"We are looking to play a bit more and we have scored a few tries lately. The set-piece has been functioning well also, to give the backs a platform. It is starting to come together."

Thompson is one of the club's longest-serving players, having graduated from the academy in 2003, but has made only 34 appearances, 11 of which have been in the starting line-up.

Thornbury-born Thompson, who turned 25 on Thursday, spent all of last season on loan at first division Newbury – and won a place in the National One team of the season.

Before Christmas, Thompson played for Oxford University, which culminated in a Varsity appearance alongside former All Black hooker Anton Oliver at Twickenham.

And, having returned to Bristol in the new year, the former England Under-21 has not looked back as he enjoys the best spell of his Bristol career. He has come off the bench eight times since January.

"It is going to be hard to force my way into the starting line-up, but hopefully it might happen if I keep training hard," said Thompson.

"(Props) Darren (Crompton) and Iro (Mark Irish) have been playing really well.

"But I couldn't have wished for much more this season, having been away at Oxford, and played in the Varsity match. I have managed to come back and get into the squad. It has been good for me.

"I am enjoying more game-time. Being out on loan at Newbury helped me develop a lot as a player."

Thompson also has his thoughts fixed on his Oxford University exams in May.

"On a personal note, I have come back and have managed to be involved. It has been good for me but I'm still keeping the studying up," added Thompson.

"I have exams in May. It is not bad at the moment. The coaches have been kind when I have had to go up to Oxford.

"Training normally finishes around 1-2pm. I generally train then go back and study for a few hours every day."