And Warriors get the reply they need as they win a penalty right in front of goal.

Chris Pennell, now on kicking duties, reduces the deficit to four points.

So it's advantage Warriors as Bristol will play the rest of this game with 14 men.

Jamie Shillcock leaves the field and Ryan Mills is on to replace him. 

A hectic first 15 minutes...

Bristol hooker Ross McMillan on BBC Radio Bristol: "Both players are looking at the ball but the only difference is Jamie Shillcock has gone into the air.

"He's landed on his neck. Pisi didn't get off the floor and he is deemed to be not in control of his body."

Image source, PA

Jamie Shillcock looks to have picked up a nasty bang there under the high-ball. 

There didn't look to have been too much malice in the challenge from Tusi Pisi but Shillcock lands awkwardly on his back.

But Wayne Barnes thinks differently, he goes to his pocket and it's a straight red for Pisi.

A good passage of play from Worcester as full-back Chris Pennell makes good ground and sets Worcester on the front foot.

But it comes to a disappointing end as they're penalised for coming in at the side and hand over possession to Bristol.

An immediate reply from Worcester and the scores are back level after seven minutes through Jamie Shillcock.

Bristol hooker Ross McMillan on BBC Radio Bristol: "The amount of runners available to the 9 and 10 is great.

"There are loads of people wanting to carry, hungry to carry and that's a very good start.

"Worcester have to come and play, they cannot sit back today."

Mitch Eadie with a great drive for Bristol which lead to the penalty.

Billy Searle, from 20 metres out, sends the ball straight through the uprights and Bristol have an early lead.

Jason Woodward, the Bristol full-back, charges down Jamie Shillcock's clearing kick, and Worcester are under pressure already.

They eventually clear their lines but Bristol scrap for the ball on the ground and secure possession.

Bristol have made a lively start.

Image source, Getty Images

Jamie Shillcock gets us underway in what could be a season-defining day for one of these teams.

Both teams are on the field in this Boxing Day basement battle.

Bristol will be looking to translate their form in the Challenge Cup into Premiership wins, but Warriors, six points above them in the table, stand in their way.

Stay tuned for kick-off.

England centre Ben Te'o is included in Worcester's starting line-up as Warriors also make four changes.

Warriors also recall Michael Dowsett, Christian Scotland-Williamson and Dean Hammond. One late replacement sees Na'ama Leleimalefaga come into the front-row for Val Rapava Ruskin.

Worcester: Pennell; Hammond, Te'o, Willisom, Vuna; Shillcock, Dowsett, Leleimalefaga, Bregvadze, Schonert, Scotland-Williamson, Barry, Potgieter (capt), Lewis, Faosiliva.

Replacements: Singleton, Bower, Johnston, Spencer, Dowson, de Cothi, Mills, Adams.

Samoa international Tusi Pisi returns from injury for Bristol, who make four changes to the side which beat Pau.

Olly Robinson and Nick Fenton-Wells start in the back row, while Dan Tuohy makes his debut at lock.

Bristol: Woodward; Wallace, Hurrell, Pisi, Varndell; Searle, Cliff; Bevington, Hawkins, Cortes, Tuohy, Glynn, Fenton-Wells, Robinson (capt), Eadie.

Replacements: Crumpton, Traynor, Ford-Robinson, Phillips, Sorenson, Williams, Jarvis, Palamo.

Image source, Getty Images

As well as following the game with our live text service you can also follow the game on your BBC Local Radio station.

Both BBC Radio Bristol and BBC Hereford and Worcester are at Ashton Gate and you have a choice of either using the play tabs at the top of this page.

As usual, we'd love to have any of your thoughts on the action today or any rugby musings.

And if you think you can beat any of the offerings from our festive XV send them way.

Use #bbcrugby on social media to join in with our coverage today.

Image source, .

Image source, .

A glance at the bottom half of the Premiership table shows you how important this game is to both teams.

Bristol are still desperately looking for a first league win of the season, while Worcester will not want to be cut adrift from those above them.

It has been a long, long wait for a win in England's top flight for Bristol.

After their promotion from the Championship last season and their winless start, 82 months in fact.

Image source, .

Image source, Rex Features

A very Merry Christmas to you, and I hope you all enjoyed the festivities yesterday!

Today we've got a bumper Boxing Day for you with a huge local derby as bottom side Bristol take on relegation rivals Worcester.

Sit back, enjoy some leftovers and watch battle commence.