BRISTOL have been deducted five points and handed a suspended €10,000 fine by EPCR for selecting an ineligible player in the Challenge Cup.
Lock Elliott Stooke, who joined Bristol on a short-term deal after leaving Wasps, played against Perpignan and Zebre in December but then activated an early release clause in his contract to join Montpellier. EPCR rules state a player must be contracted to a club for a minimum of three months to play.