THERE is definitely an element of revenge in our game against Bristol at the Rec tomorrow.

Our match against them at the Memorial Stadium a month ago was painful for all concerned and similar to the London Irish game two weeks ago in that we completely failed to perform.

That's something we're aiming to rectify this time.

The boys are chomping at the bit to play, especially after seeing our match against Newcastle called off last weekend. It gave us a chance to focus on this game and get into better shape physically than we might have been.

It would be nice to go into 2001 having won a derby with a hatful of tries, but a result similar to the one against Gloucester would be important to us.

That match was significant because we put into action what we had talked about, something that was so frustrating about how we played against London Irish where we had a plan and didn't execute it.

Bristol have developed a good all-round side and that is shown in the fact that they are further up the table.

They will come to the Rec thinking they have got a good chance to win, but we are desperate for points at home in the league.

Meanwhile Leicester now appear to be running away with the league. They are in such commanding form that you can only stand back and admire what they have developed albeit looking on with just a tinge of jealousy.

It must definitely be one of our New Year's resolutions to start hunting them down and try and close the gap.