BRISTOL are banking on out-half Paul Burke to turn Bath's Courage League title dream into dust. Burke, 18-point ace figure in the midweek victory over Gloucester, has hit prime form just as Bristol plot their escape from the relegation play-off area.
"He's currently our key player," said captain Martin Corry, whose struggling side are still five points behind eighth-placed Saracens and the first-division safety zone, having played two games more.
"I call him the man with the Midas touch."
Bath's recent upheavals on the coaching front have given Bristol renewed hope they can inflict a first league defeat on their West Country neighbours following 13 successive failures.
Burke said last night: "I believe that we have a reasonable chance of upsetting them."
Ulsterman Tyrone Howe makes his league debut for London Irish at Orrell today. Both sides are also threatened by relegation.
The 1995 Oxford University captain comes in on the left wing in a shake-up of the three-quarter line caused by the departure of Rob Henderson to Wasps. Justin Bishop moves into the centre.
Conor O'Shea continues in his role as captain with Gary Halpin continuing to be sidelined with a knee ligament injury.
