Bristol is set to upset their West Country neighbours once again as they prepare a bid to convince Rugby World Cup-winning prop John Afoa to leave Gloucester.
The 34-year-old played under Bristol coach Pat Lam in New Zealand before making a move to Ulster following the All Blacks Rugby World Cup triumph in 2011.
Afoa has been a lynchpin of the Cherry and Whites front row since 2014 but is wanted by Bristol ahead of their impending return to the Aviva Premiership.
The prop, who was the highest paid player in English club rugby when he moved to Kingsholm, will not come cheap and it remains to be seen whether Gloucester will offer him a new deal.
Bristol have also already lined up Bath’s Elliot Stooke and Nick Auterac as they look to avoid the drop.