Bristol Rugby's only fit hooker David Blaney insists he cannot afford to tread carefully in Friday's European Challenge Cup match at Toulon.

Head coach Richard Hill has a crisis in the front row with Mark Regan, Scott Linklater (both calf) and Ryan Prosser (knee) injured, while academy hookers Ollie Hayes and Adam Bellamy are not registered to play in Europe.

Regan and Linklater could return against Montpellier at the Memorial Stadium on Sunday week – but Blaney will come out all guns blazing in France and hoping to put a marker down for the No 2 shirt.

"I am the only fit hooker, but it is fine to be honest," said the 29-year-old Irishman.

"If you ever go into a game and look to protect yourself that's the time when you pick up injuries. That's not the right attitude. You have to go out, give it a good lash and take the opportunity with both hands.

"I look forward to any opportunity I get. I have to take this chance. Fingers crossed I can have a good game."

Blaney, who broke his leg in the Heineken Cup home clash with Harlequins in December 2007, has been relegated to third-choice hooker this season.

He has yet to start a Guinness Premiership match this term but, with Bristol struggling this season, the former Leinster player fully understands Hill's decision to hand Regan the No 2 shirt.

Blaney added: "This year (my appearances) have been quite scattered.

"I have been getting opportunities and, because we are not winning games, Ronnie (gets picked) as he does have a great presence in the changing rooms.

"He gives the team a sense of stability that only comes with experience. Ronnie has got over a hundred games from Bristol as well as England and the British Lions.

"The simple fact is that I do not have that experience at Bristol. I have (played) 30-odd matches here. I am hoping in these couple of games, I can mould into that kind of role.

"I want to push things this weekend. I can be vocal in the changing room and on the pitch and give the boys confidence."

Bristol cannot progress from their Challenge Cup group, making the clashes with French sides Toulon and Montpellier dead-rubbers.

But Blaney insists Bristol are building towards their make or break Premiership survival clash with second-from-bottom Newcastle on Friday, February 13.

"For me personally, the Saracens match went reasonably well. I hit all my line-outs and the scrum went very well. I thought (props) Mike Irish and Darren Crompton did very well," reflected Blaney.

"It is just a question of putting everything together. I've no doubt the team will click. We are making too many silly errors. If we can erase those mistakes we will become a very competitive team.

"A lot will hinge on these matches. The boys need to step up, play well in these matches and go into the Newcastle match with some momentum behind us."

Bristol have named a strong squad for their clash with Toulon although flanker Alfie To'oala (knee) has joined Regan, Linklater, props Alex Clarke and Jason Hobson on the sidelines.

Hill has recalled brothers Luke and Tom Arscott plus second row Roy Winters, and registered centre Nathan Brew to play in Europe.

Ed Barnes moves from centre to fly-half, while Nathan Budgett starts in the No 6 shirt.

Bristol (probable): L Arscott; L Robinson, Nathan Brew, Neil Brew, T Arscott; E Barnes, S Perry; M Irish, D Blaney, D Crompton, R Winters, R Sidoli, N Budgett, M Salter (capt), D Ward-Smith. Reps: R Hogan, W Thompson, M Sambucetti, J Phillips, G Beveridge, A Jarvis, L Eves.