Bristol trip a target for Clark

FIT-AGAIN Exeter Chiefs hooker Neil Clark is relishing the prospect of playing former club Bristol next term.

The 27-year-old returned to Devon last summer after four seasons with Bristol and one at Launceston.

However, after 15 games back in a Chiefs jersey, he broke his ankle and missed the rest of the campaign.

Now raring to go again, Clark is looking forward to the trip to the Memorial Ground on October 4.

But he will not hold any animosity towards his former employers.

"I always enjoy playing against a former club," said Clark. "I owe a lot of thanks to Bristol and I wish them a lot of success.

"However, Exeter's my club now and I want to do everything I can to help Exeter achieve what they want to achieve."

Clark moved to Bristol in 2003 along with then Chiefs teammate Jason Hobson.

However, the best buddies will not get a chance to face each other this season as Hobson is one of several first-teamers to move on.

The tighthead has signed for Wasps in the hope of maintaining his challenge for a regular place in the England squad, having gained a cap on last year's tour of New Zealand.

Clark, for one, is backing his old mucker to achieve his aim of getting back in the international reckoning.

"Hobbo's my best mate so I wish him all the best and fingers crossed he'll play for England this year," said Clark. "I think he's in the best place he can be to achieve that.

"He needed to move on because he's got aspirations to play for England. That's no disrespect to Bristol, but he's not going to get the game time and the England recognition unless he's playing in the Premiership."