BRISTOL are back in a huge Aviva Premiership relegation hole after they were thrashed for a second week in succession, this time by 50-17 at Leicester Tigers.

After they were beaten badly at home last week to Harlequins at Ashton Gate, this loss puts them six points away from Worcester Warriors, next above them, and safety from the drop.

Bristol’s acting head coach Mark Tainton blamed a lack of physicality for a second week running as he reflected on a fortnight in which his side has conceded over ninety points.

South Africa Test star JP Pietersen scored two, the others coming from Pat Cilliers, Telusa Veainu, Brendon O'Connor, Adam Thompstone, Greg Bateman and Owen Williams who converted five.

Rob Hawkins and Jamal Ford-Robinson scored for Bristol whose heaviest defeat this season was 70-22 at Wasps.

Bristol's 13th defeat of the season leaves them rooted to the bottom and they are now six points adrift of Worcester, who got a bonus point in the defeat by Exeter.

Hooker Rob Hawkins and replacement prop Jamal Ford-Robinson scored tries, converted by full-back Jason Woodward.

Acting head coach Mark Tainton said: "We spoke about physicality and looking after the ball and we did neither.

"We turned over too much ball and that allowed them too much field position.

"Against a good Premiership side you are going to struggle if you do that. We fell off tackles and allowed them to get line breaks, and they got the scoreboard moving, so by half-time the game was gone.

"We fought back in the second half but the frustration for us was that we got to within five metres of their line seven times and seven times they gave away penalties.

"Obviously we weren't going to kick them. They managed to play the referee better that we did."