Middleton and Salter to lead Bristol side against Munster

Paul Hull will entrust Bristol's Academy coaching duo of Liam Middleton and Matt Salter with responsibility for first-team affairs at Munster tomorrow evening.

Head coach Hull, who put forwards coach John Brain in charge for last week's British & Irish Cup win at Neath, is this week giving the reins to Middleton and Salter.

Bristol have again named all nine of their Academy players in the match-day squad for tomorrow's second Pool B match at Nenagh Ormond RFC in County Tipperary.

And Middleton, who joined Bristol from the Rugby Football Union in the summer, is relishing the opportunity to lead Bristol against Munster's A side.

"It's a good opportunity for us to work not just with our Academy guys, but with the whole team," said Middleton.

"We are involved with the coaching group during the week, but because our Academy guys go out to clubs, to actually coach them in a team environment is a little bit different.

"To coach them as a team is pretty exciting and probably takes the place of the A League, which we're not currently involved in. And to go to Munster and be so involved in a big game like this very exciting for myself and Salts."

Hull will travel to Ireland for the match – but will leave all coaching on the night, including replacements and tactical decisions, to Middleton and Salter.

"Hully is coming, while John Brain is having a break this week," said Middleton.

"I'll be leading the coaching team and Salts will be working with me, but Hully is coming over to support the club. I'm really looking forward to it."

Middleton and Salter will pit their wits against Munster A's impressive coaching team, which includes Thomond Park legends Anthony Foley and Mick Galwey.

And Middleton said: "Those guys are experienced internationals and former Munster players – but that only adds to the challenge for us.

"Their involvement sums up Munster Rugby. They are a very proud province and that's one of the things we're going to face: a very passionate and proud coaching team, playing team and supporters."

Bristol retain seven of the players who started in last week's 18-11 win at Neath – Jack Tovey, Luke Eves, George Watkins, Chris Ashwin, Josh Brown, Nathan Budgett and Darren Barry.

And there are starts for the fit-again Lee Robinson, recent signing Sam Giddens, Sam Alford, Mark Irish, Ross Johnston, Mako Vunipola, Ben Glynn and James Merriman.

Munster, who fielded three players with Test experience in their opening pool game at Coventry, have been weakened by call-ups for Ireland A's match against Argentina A tomorrow.

Munster A: D Riordan; D Barnes, T Gleeson, S Deasy, S Zebo; D Cusack, C Murray; D Kilcoyne, M Sherry, S Archer, I Nagle, D Foley, B Holland, T O'Donnell, J Coughlan. Reps: S Henry, P O'Regan, N Williams, P O'Mahony, P Rowley, A Burke, R O'Mahony.

Bristol: J Tovey; L Robinson, L Eves, S Giddens, G Watkins; C Ashwin, S Alford; M Irish, R Johnston, M Vunipola, B Glynn, J Brown, N Budgett (capt), J Merriman, D Barry. Reps: O Hayes, W Thompson, M Mama, A Bellamy, R Shaw, M Davies, J Gadd.