Bristol power back to first place in English Premiership

Bristol stormed back to the top of the English Premiership as Kalaveti Ravouvou scored two tries in Friday's dramatic 31-23 win against Northampton at Ashton Gate.

Bristol's fourth win in six league games came after a stirring recovery from a 15-point deficit midway through the first half.

Despite being without five players on England duty ahead of the November internationals, Northampton made life difficult for Bristol.

They were rewarded with tries for George Hendy, Josh Kemeny and James Ramm, while debutant fly-half George Makepeace-Cubitt kicked two penalties and a conversion.

Bristol, though, secured a bonus-point success as Fiji international Ravouvou led the way on his return from injury.

His double kept Bristol on course for maximum points, and there were also touchdowns for wing Gabriel Ibitoye and lock Joe Batley.

Fly-half AJ MacGinty kicked all four conversions and landed a penalty as Bristol finished the first block of six Premiership games before the November tests in fine shape.