BRISTOL will take another major step back to the Aviva Premiership today (Thursday) when they find out who they will be playing on their return to the top flight of English rugby.

Director of Rugby Andy Robinson will be in London when the Premiership fixtures for the new season are revealed.

And all eyes will be on dates for the massive West Country derbies against Gloucester and arch rivals Bath, the latter of whom have already been drawn in the same European Challenge Cup group as Bristol.

Both those derbies, plus another big clash with last year’s Premiership play-off finalists Exeter Chiefs, are expected to draw sell-out crowds to the new-look Ashton Gate, which will have its’ gleaming new West Stand opened by then.

On the pitch, Robinson has continued his build-up to the club’s return by signing former Northampton prop Soane Tonga'uiha and centre Will Hurrell.

The former Saint is moving to Ashton Gate on a one-year deal from French club Oyonnax.

The recruitment of Tonga international Tonga'uiha, 34, will help bulk up a front row which needs to be on the top of its’ game to handle the Premiership packs.

Tonga'uiha spent seven seasons with Northampton before moving into the French Top 14.

Hurrell joined his new team-mates from Doncaster Knights on Wednesday. He was named in the Championship Team of the Year and scored in both legs of Doncaster’s Championship play-off final against Bristol last season.