Bristol boss Richard Hill accepts his team will probably have to beat Heineken Cup favourites Stade Francais next Sunday to stay alive in this season's competition.

But Hill insists his players will go into battle with ``a positive attitude'' despite their 34-18 Pool Three defeat against Cardiff Blues at the Arms Park.

Bristol led 13-3 entering first-half injury-time but were then blitzed as Cardiff racked up 31 unanswered points.

The Blues also finished with a bonus point after flanker Martyn Williams (2), his back-row colleague Maama Molitika and centre Jamie Robinson scored tries which left Bristol floundering.

Williams and Molitika struck when Bristol had prop Darren Crompton in the sin-bin following a high tackle on Cardiff's Wales centre Tom Shanklin, and they finished a disappointing contest well beaten.

Hill said: ``I think we have got to beat Stade Francais now.

``The players are angry with themselves for letting the lead slip, but there is a positive attitude that they can go and beat Stade Francais next Sunday.

``I think we have taken another step forward. The players will develop from this sort of game and we have got to try and get better in the competition.''

Bristol's renowned forward power saw them take charge of the first period, but Robinson's try against the run of play meant Cardiff began the second half just three points behind.

Hill added: ``We got a bit tired in the second half with the number of tackles we had to make, but I thought the effort from the players was tremendous.

``Cardiff spread us very wide in the second half and their runners did some damage. They have got some skilful players who can beat people one-on-one.''

Cardiff have often been underachievers in the Heineken Cup but their second-half showing suggests they could make an impact in Europe this season.

Blues' head coach David Young said: ``The try just before half time was crucial for us, it settled us down a little bit.

``I always felt we would score the most tries and in the second half we had more intensity and broke away to claim some scores.''

Williams, who retired from international rugby after Wales exited the World Cup, produced a Test-class display that made him an inevitable choice as man of the match.

Warren Gatland, who will take over as Wales coach on December 1, watched from his seat in the stand as Williams delivered another of his trademark top-drawer contributions.

But Williams has ruled out any prospect of ending his international retirement even if Gatland urges him to change his mind.

Williams said: ``My decision is made. I am not going to go back on my word.''