Ferguson feels Saints can compete with 'star-studded' Bears

But the assistant coach insists the players that represent Northampton at Ashton Gate will give a good account of themselves.

Saints have continued with their two-team selection policy, making the full 15 changes from last Friday's 22-19 defeat to Exeter Chiefs at Franklin's Gardens.

Their starting line-up still contains internationals such as Nick Isiekwe, Lewis Ludlam and Piers Francis.

But Saints have been forced to give the nod to some inexperienced faces, with injuries having hit their back-line.

Senior Academy player Tommy Freeman starts at full-back, with the likes of Ryan Olowofela and Tom James, who will wear the Saints No.9 shirt for the first time, also in from the off.

And when asked whether Saints are happy to be underdogs against a strong Bristol team, Ferguson said: "Our performances over the past five games certainly don't give us a heavyweight tag but we pick what we believe is an appropriate team for every game.

"It would be a complete disrespect to the history of this club and to this shirt for us ever to pick a B-team, or a bomb squad or those other words I've heard in the media for some teams.

"I just think it's something this club doesn't deserve and our supporters certainly shouldn't see us concede any fixtures.

"I hope everyone agrees that the team that's going out on Tuesday is a long way from being a B-team or a bomb squad.

"There's a group of lads there who will take a great deal of pride in what they do.

"We have definitely taken some dents in that back three area. I think Dows (forwards coach Phil Dowson) put his hand up at one stage for a sprint test, but I don't think he quite made it!"

Ferguson insists Saints are ready to savour the clash with a title-chasing Bears side.

He added: "For me and the whole team, it's another chance to get back out on the grass and put another game of that physicality and intent we showed against Exeter out there.

"We want to sharpen up some of the execution.

"Clearly, Bristol have a star-studded group but I feel we've picked a team that can go there and continue the upward trend and ask questions about what they're about.

"I'm looking forward to Ashton Gate."

Saints have lost four of their five games since the Gallagher Premiership resumed last month.

And when asked how he feels the team's forwards have performed, Ferguson, who is the club's scrum mentor, said: "They're working incredibly hard.

"The one group that isn't getting a huge amount of credit at the moment is our Academy group because they are doing an incredible amount of work.

"They're becoming the opposition for every team, which will microwave their development.