NOTTINGHAM lock Dan Montagu returns from injury to make his first trip back to the Memorial Stadium since joining the Green and Whites from Bristol in the summer.

BACK TO THE FUTURE: Nottingham lock Dan Montagu makes his first trip back to the Memorial Stadium since leaving in the summer. PIC: Alison Bowden.

The 120kg Australian slots back into the second-row ahead of Joe Quinn who moves to the replacements bench, and is one of three changes made to the tight five for the third versus fourth RFU Championship battle on Friday night (7.45pm kick-off).

Jonny Harris comes in at loosehead prop with Matt Parr failing to fully recover from a heavy leg knock sustained in last week's 30-22 win over Plymouth. It is a new-look front row with seasoned campaigner Michael Holford back in the starting XV at tighthead.

Tim Streather has been named in the centres after missing last week's win through injury. The 24-year-old partners Joe Munro with Joe Cobden moving to the bench.

Nottingham recorded a remarkable 63-7 win over the Bris when the sides first met at Meadow Lane in November.

But Green and Whites Head Coach Martin Haag stressed:  "That is water under the bridge.

"We don't look back at previous results. We caught Bristol a little bit cold and we also played some exceptional rugby both in attack and defence, but that was a long time ago now.

"For us, it will be about trying to perform like that again and giving ourselves every chance of getting a result.

"Look at their form and who they have played recently and they will be confident - their play is certainly more confident.

"It will be a good battle for us and a test of where we are. Our challenge is to stay in the top four and that is ultimately what we will be aiming for.

Nottingham Rugby team to face Bristol at the Memorial Stadium on Friday, March 8 (7.45pm kick-off): 15 David Jackson 14 Alex Lewington 13 Tim Streather 12 Joe Munro 11 Ryan Hough 10 James Arlidge 9 Sean Romans 1 Jonny Harris 2 Joe Duffey 3 Michael Holford 4 Dan Montagu 5 Nic Rouse 6 Rupert Cooper 7 Brent Wilson 8 Alex Shaw.

Replacements from: 16 Shaun Malton 17 Ryan Bower 18 Joe Quinn 19 Tom Calladine 20 Finlay Barnham 21 Joe Cobden 22 Andy Forsyth