FORMER Ebbw Vale winger Toby Fricker is hungry for more as he prepares for a European debut a week after making his Gallagher Premiership bow in Bristol's dramatic win at Exeter, writes Chris Kirwan.

The 24-year-old came off the bench in the Bears' 20-17 triumph at Sandy Park, watching from the other touchline as a maul crashed over the line at the death.

Fricker earned a chance at Bristol in March thanks to his exploits in the Principality Premiership as a Steelman.

Nine months after he lined up for his final game as a Steelman against Merthyr at the Wern, the speedster faced the Chiefs in front of 11,015 supporters.

South Wales Argus:

"It was an unbelievable experience," said Fricker. "I didn't necessarily expect it to happen like that and I was so grateful for the opportunity – and what a game as well, winning it at the death in the style that we did.

"It really showed the grit and determination of everyone here – and for me, playing with and against some of the players on that field was unreal.

"I think you can get caught up in the momentum of the game, and we were getting and building momentum for quite a while in that second half, and things were starting to go our way a little bit.

"You look up at the scoreboard just before that lineout and realise that it's the last chance to win the game. I saw that maul just take off – not that I had a lot to do with it from the other side of the pitch - but it was such a great spectacle.

"Having been a part of that game on Sunday, it's just made me hungry for more moments like that."

Fricker will make his European debut in Bristol's Challenge Cup opener against Zebre at Ashton Gate tomorrow, starting on the left wing.

The Premiership may be the Bears' priority but Pat Lam's men are also chasing knockout rugby after being drawn against the Italians and the French pair of Brive and Stade Francais.

"Everyone realises that it's a long old season, and just because we're switching into Europe now, it doesn't mean we take the foot off the pedal," said Fricker.

"We need to keep going strong and not take anything for granted. We've got to keep putting in the hours of work on rainy days.

"Everything is about a winning mentality, whatever the competition, it's about getting the job done. The approach for us is to carry on where we left off last weekend. We want to build on it and kick on again.

"The focus and desire is exactly the same, we want to keep that momentum. What we've spoken about this week is that you've got to respect every game at this level."