Bristol last night hit back at claims that contract talks with key players had hit the rails. The Premiership's bottom club went into last night's home game against Sale with the future of several key players uncertain.

Their captain, former Wales skipper and British Lion Robert Jones, together with Irish internationals Paul Burke and Kevin Maggs are among a dozen first team squad members who have yet to agree new deals.

Jones is known to have attracted interest from four other clubs, while players such as Burke and Maggs could comfortably move elsewhere.

However, following a board meeting yesterday the Bristol directors said that whatever the club's fate next season, there were hopeful signs of retaining a talented squad.