Bristol prepare for the return leg of the semi-finals knowing that nothing less than the performance of the season will see them progress to the RFU Championship final.

Liam Middleton’s men must overturn a 21-point deficit at the Memorial Stadium on Sunday without skipper Iain Grieve and prop Jason Hobson among their ranks (12.45pm KO).

The Head Coach makes four changes from the side that suffered a 45-24 defeat in the first leg. Ben Glynn replaces the injured Glen Townson, while Wayne Thompson and Henry Vanderglas also come into the pack.

Matty James is preferred to Matthew Jones at fly-half and makes his first league start since February.

Will Helu, who has notched five tries during the play-off campaign, retains his place on the wing in an otherwise unchanged backline.

Middleton retains a five forwards and two backs split on the replacements bench, with Tristan Roberts and Mariano Sambucetti included in the 22-man squad.

Bristol Rugby team to face Cornish Pirates at the Memorial Stadium on Sunday, 13 May (12.45pm KO): Jon Goodridge; Jack Tovey, Fautua Otto, Luke Eves, Will Helu; Matty James, Ruki Tipuna; Mark Irish, Jason Harris-Wright, Wayne Thompson, Ben Glynn, Roy Winters, Henry Vanderglas, James Merriman (c), Dan Montagu.

Replacements: Tom Channon, Mark Lilley, Mariano Sambucetti, Marco Mama, Redford Pennycook, Tom Slater, Tristan Roberts.