No toast to Bristol's survival - yet

Andrew stays calm

Bristol coach Richard Hill has banned his players from celebrating their double over Newcastle Falcons - or the win that virtually assures them of retaining their Guinness Premiership status.

Sunday's 23-7 victory over the Falcons moves the league's 'new boys' into eighth place in the table, but Hill is not counting his chickens.

"We can consider ourselves safe but we don't want to celebrate just yet because we want to go down the road and produce a reasonable performance against Bath next Saturday," said the former England scrum-half.

"It would be wrong of us to relax with the supporters wanting us to get a second double of the season next weekend but it is going to be tough.

"I've banned any celebrations tonight as they have a big job to do next weekend and perhaps after that they can celebrate. That match is important to this club as well.

"Retaining our Premiership status has come a little earlier than we had anticipated but we didn't want to go into our 22nd match at Leicester needing a victory.

"We had planned to have gained qualification in the 21st game at home to Northampton Saints by clinching victory then to stay up.

"But we have done it two games earlier than planned which is remarkable as far as the players are concerned as they have exceeded all our expectations so all credit to them."

The defeat leaves Newcastle in penultimate place but 10 points clear of Leeds with three games remaining - but director of rugby Rob Andrew wasn't panicking.

"Every defeat is a huge disappointment but this is a tough league," he said.

"I didn't think the performance was all that bad in some senses as it was a poor game and the wind didn't help.

"I thought whoever scored first after the break were going to be the side in the ascendancy.

"We felt comfortable at half-time being just six points behind and we thought the game was ours for the taking having coped well in the first half scoring a try into the wind.

"Unfortunately Bristol's second try came from a clear forward pass, it is not a gripe but a fact.

"It was about two yards forward which everyone saw except the referee, but never mind.

"That then allowed Bristol to dictate the pace of the last quarter which they did extremely well - though not a lot happened in that spell.

"I didn't think there was a lot to choose between the two teams to be honest.

"We have been too inconsistent this season but we haven't been that far off.

"It is not so much our away form that has concerned us but losing five games at home that has left us in the position that we are.

"Bristol deserved to win as they scored crucial points at crucial times in the game, which was important for them today.

"Mathematically we are not safe but I am not overly concerned.

"I'm confident that this squad of players are just as likely and capable to beat Sale next week as we have been today."