BRISTOL secured their third win of the season against Harlequins at the Memorial Stadium yesterday to keep the pressure on Cardiff Blues at the top of Heineken Cup Pool Three.

DAVID HILL kicked Bristol to the most notable win in their Heineken Cup history as tournament favourites Stade Francais suffered a surprise Pool Three defeat.

ENGLAND boss Brian Ashton has hailed Dan Ward-Smith as “an incredibly fit athlete” after the uncapped Bristol forward thrust himself into World Cup contention.

MIKE TINDALL’S hopes of reviving his World Cup dream appear to be fading as England build towards their tournament warm-up Tests.

London Irish and England captain Mike Catt leads the nominations for the Professional Rugby Players’ Association player-of-the-year award.

World Cup winner Steve Thompson has been ruled out of England’s entire RBS 6 Nations Championship campaign due to a neck injury.

Dan Ward-Smith was stretchered off at Northampton with a serious knee injury that could rule him out of England’s entire Six Nations campaign.

Jason Robinson is ready to relaunch his glittering England career during this season's RBS 6 Nations Championship - but fellow World Cup winner Lawrence Dallaglio finds himself out in the cold.

ANGRY Sale boss Philippe Saint Andre accused Bristol of cheating after they condemned his side to a surprise 10-6 defeat at Edgeley Park.