A CHANCE encounter with Great Britain athletics legend Mo Farah inspired Bristol ahead of their first season in the Aviva Premiership in seven years.

Director of rugby Andy Robinson took the squad to Font Romeu in the Pyrenees during the summer for a training camp.

And just by chance, on an athletics track near their camp was Farah training for what would ultimately be his successful defence of both the Olympic Games five thousand and ten thousand metres titles in Rio last month.

That inspiration helped Bristol to a narrow 21-19 defeat by Harlequins at Twickenham on Saturday which could easily have been a win had they not given away a mighty 18 penalties during the match.

Bristol will now play their first Premiership match at their Ashton Gate home on Sunday where they face another massive task in beating Northampton Saints in front of probably the biggest crowd they have had in years.

The visit to France has certainly helped the squad focus on a season where Robinson has vowed they will be competitive and not be basement whipping boys.

The director of rugby reflected: “We went to train at Font Romeu with Mo Farah and the boys got inspired by him running around the track and the effort he put in.”

Robinson worked in Scotland with Edinburgh and as the national team head coach before joining Bristol and said the trip to France happened through that.

“Scotland went there last year and I have got some old contacts in Scotland. We were trying to go somewhere else but could not get there so we went to Font Romeu.

“When we arrived, he (Farah) was still training there. The boys had selfies with him but my major worry was our kit man walking across the track and running into Mo Farah.”

Robinson said the summer has been intense in ensuring Bristol were able to step up to Premiership standard from that of the Championship.

He added: “Sessions have been pretty intense during the summer. There has been a lot of contact.

“The game of rugby is about the whole team being able to contribute and what I have been pleased about is that the guys who did not play against Harlequins have been putting in work to help the team perform.

“I carry a big squad and I like competition for places and it means quality players miss out at times. It is how they react so that when we make changes, those who have missed out have to step up as well.”

Wings Tom Varndell and Ryan Edwards plus fly-half Tusi Pisi scored Bristol’s three tries against Quins, with centre Gavin Henson kicking two conversions.

Henson came off after a bang when tackled by Quins prop Joe Marler but Robinson said: “These things happen in the game. When you slow it down, it looks worse and it is a shame. He has a sore leg but we expect him to be ready for Sunday.”