It’s been a huge year for Richmond, with the Londoners already picking up more victories in their second Championship campaign than they managed in the whole of last season.

The side won’t be resting on their laurels, however, and the chance to topple an unbeaten Bristol side is exactly the sort of challenge that this side live for.

Richmond Director of Rugby Steve Hill has resisted the temptation to tinker too much with his side, with just two changes to the team who picked up a bonus point in defeat to Ealing last weekend.

After being blown away in the first half, Richmond won the second 19-0, and they will be looking for that kind of form come Saturday afternoon.

Jordan Simpson-Hefft, back fully fit after injury, returns to the wing, where he joins Rob Kirby and Jono Woodward in the back three. Cam Mitchell is joined in the centres by Cameron Hudson in his first league start for the club, with the lively pairing of Luc Jones and James Swan at half-backs.

Woodward and Jones both crossed the line again last weekend to take their tallies to eight and seven respectively for the season, and despite a strong Bristol defence, the duo are once again likely to offer Richmond’s major threat around the breakdown and out wide.

If Richmond are to cause headaches for the visitors, though, it is up front where they know they need to be strong, and a familiar line-up should help.

Jeremy Cunnew, Ross Grimstone and Joe Tarrant, so impressive in the scrum last weekend, will once again lead from the front, while the side’s two most capped players Will Warden and Chris Davies start behind them.

The back three showed some real dynamism last weekend, too, and it was Jesse Liston’s late try that secured a bonus point. He returns alongside Jack Allcock and Jake Parker to complete a strong side.

On the bench, meanwhile, Freddie Gabbitass and Harry Edwards come back into the first XV in what is sure to be a clash that requires the full 22.

The rest of the bench remains the same as last week, as Rhodri Adamson – who looked lively in his 20 minutes at full back – continues to support the backline, and Jason Phipps, Craig Trenier, Toby Saysell and Will Goodrick-Clarke making up the rest of the forward reserves.

'”We know the challenge from Bristol on Saturday will be huge,” said Hill ahead of the game.

“They are an unbeaten team with a squad of Premiership-calibre players. All our team will need to raise their games to their highest possible standard if we are to compete.

"The Richmond squad can be very proud of their home record this season and this will certainly be the toughest home test we will face. Our players are relishing the chance to show what they can achieve against such good opponents.”

Richmond RFC v Bristol Rugby, Richmond Athletic Ground, Saturday, December 30, 3pm. 

RICHMOND TEAM: 15 Rob Kirby 14 Jono Woodward 13 Cameron Mitchell 12 Cameron Hudson 11 Jordan Simpson-Hefft 10 James Swan 9 Luc Jones 1 Jeremy Cunnew 2 Ross Grimstone 3 Joe Tarrant 4 Will Warden 5 Chris Davies 6 Jesse Liston 7 Jack Allcock 8 Jake Parker 16 Jason Phipps 17 Will Goodrick-Clarke 18 Harry Edwards 19 Rhodri Adamson 20 Freddie Gabbitass 21 Toby Saysell 22 Craig Trenier