Greg Barden is back from England Sevens duty and sharing his newly-honed one-on-one skills with his under-fire Bristol team-mates.
The fleet-footed player, who is on sabbatical from the Royal Navy, has had a successful few weeks on the international scene, making his debut for England and rubbing shoulders with some of the best players in Sevens world rugby – all valuable experience which he hopes to transfer to the training pitches of Bristol.
The England team came within seconds of victory in Dubai, losing out to a last-minute try from South Africa, and won the Plate in George after again being beaten by the South Africans, this time in the quarter-finals.
Barden and fellow Bristol flyer Matt Turner did themselves proud and are hopeful of recalls to the side for the 2009 legs in Wellington and San Diego.
First though comes domestic duties in less sunny climes, and the long, cold fight to haul their other paymasters to safety.
"When you're with England you concentrate on that," said the centre. "But Bristol is my main aim now.
"It was a great couple of weeks away. It gives you massive confidence, that one-on-one ability in attack and defence. The whole experience and the atmosphere out there in Dubai and South Africa is a step up as an individual. But I'm looking to get back in the team here and take it on."
England are now third on points behind New Zealand and South Africa, the only two full-time teams on the series, while Bristol remain rooted to the foot of the Guinness Premiership.
The club have the chance to erase the memory of their 66-3 loss last week in the return European Challenge Cup fixture this Sunday against their tormentors Northampton. And they have been working hard in training to ensure a return to form ahead of their return to Premiership action against Worcester.
"I know the boys are gutted and you only have to look at the atmosphere on the training paddock and the determination to see what the boys want to do," said Barden, reflecting on the 66-3 humiliation endured in his absence.
"It was unfortunate, but I'm sure we'll bounce back and put things right."
Barden will have to wait to play his part, omitted from tomorrow's 22, but his return to the training pitch can only have helped test the Bristol defence in Friday's team run.
Turner is also absent for this particular battle. The youngster has been given the chance to remain in South Africa for Christmas with his family and has earned his rest, according to his 27-year-old team-mate.
"He joined us for the South African leg and I think he's working hard on his tan now," said Barden. "He did really well. His first cap was against New Zealand. We were a bit under the cosh in that one but on the second day he scored some great individual tries and I think Bristol will look forward to when he gets back in the New Year."
In the meantime Barden, whose only start for Bristol has come in the European Challenge Cup, will be hoping he can bring some attacking flair from the sunshine of the Sevens' pitches to the frozen turf of England and force his way into a side in need of results.
Only five of the fated 15 who started last week have retained their places for Sunday. Tom Arscott, Luke Eves, Mark Irish, Dave Attwood and Matt Salter have been given the chance to make amends.
They may have shipped 10 tries against Northampton but they avoided any injuries and the squad is also boosted by the return to training this week of Junior Fatialofa and Jason Hobson.
Bristol: L Arscott; T Arscott, N Brew, L Eves, D Lemi; E Barnes, S Perry; M Irish, D Blaney, D Crompton, D Attwood, R Sidoli, M Salter, J El-Abd (c), D Ward-Smith. Replacements: S Linklater, A Clarke, N Budgett, A To'oala, G Beveridge, A Jarvis, L Robinson.
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