Former Leicester centre Ollie Smith starts for Montpellier against Bristol © Getty Images

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Matches: Montpellier 33 - 15 Bristol Bears

Tournaments/Tours: European Challenge Cup | European Challenge Cup

Teams: Bristol Bears | Montpellier

Bristol Head Coach Richard Hill is set to give European debuts to seven players in their opening European Challenge Cup tie with Montpellier.

The seven players are Vunga Lilo, Greg Barden, Adrian Jarvis, Haydn Thomas, Peter Bracken, Robert Sidoli and Iain Grieve and there are another two prospective European debutants named on the bench in James Phillips and Chris Ashwin.

In a similar selection to last weekend's for the Anglo-Welsh Cup defeat to Northampton Saints, Hill has gone for a mixture of youth and experience. "We've picked a side that is very enthusiastic and hungry. Some of them haven't had much of an opportunity in the opening five Guinness Premiership games to show what they can do," he said. "There's a lot of people in there with a lot to prove and a lot of experience in there as well."

Hill also stressed that his side are looking to make an impression in the European Challenge Cup, and with six defeats so far this season the tournament could prove a welcome relief from domestic troubles. Hill refuses to take their pool lightly however, "The away games are normally fairly tricky in Europe but we'll be looking to get something out of Friday's game. We think we're in the toughest group in this year's European Challenge Cup with two excellent French sides and obviously Northampton as well."

"But you never quite know with the French sides as we found last year with Stade Francais. It's very possible to catch them on an off day.

"We see an opportunity to progress in this competition. It's a tough ask but if we get something out of this weekend then suddenly the competition will come alive for us."

They face tough opponents first-up in Montpellier, who field a strong side for the clash. All Blacks legend Justin Marshall starts at scrum-half, while there will be a familiar face in midfield as former Leicester and England player Ollie Smith starts at outside-centre. France international Francois Trinh-Duc starts at full-back, with Argentinean playmaker Federico Todeschini running out at fly-half.

Montpellier: Francois Trinh-Duc, Jean-Matthieu Alcalde, Ollie Smith, Sylvain Mirande, Thierry Brana, Fédérico Todeschini, Justin Marshall, Sébastien Petit, Fabien Rofes, Clément Baïocco, Michel Macurdy, Drickus Hancke, Warren Britz, Jérome Vallée, Mamuka Gorgodze

Replacements: Mickael Ladhuie, Pieter Van Niekerk, Philémon Toleafoa, Benjamin Goze, Vassili Bost, Adrien Tomas, Olivier Sarraméa

Bristol Rugby: Vunga Lilo; Lee Robinson, Greg Barden, Kevin Maggs, Tom Arscott; Adrian Jarvis, Haydn Thomas; Mark Irish, David Blaney, Peter Bracken; Mariano Sambucetti, Robert Sidoli; Matt Salter, Redford Pennycook, Iain Grieve

Replacements: Mark Regan, Alex Clarke, Dave Attwood, James Phillips, Graeme Beveridge, Chris Ashwin, Neil Brew