Thorburn for Ryan is just one change at Bristol

New head coach
By Duncan Wood
June 13 2002

Jason Little, Dean Ryan and Jack Rowell have moved on. Malcolm Pearce will be more hands on, Paul Hull is promoted, Mike Rafter joins the board and Peter Thorburn (left) is the new coach. Oh, and there's a 'phenomenal' new signing on the way...

So, now that the dust has settled today at Bristol Shoguns, what's the result?

Well, Jack Rowell has returned to Bath as Director of Rugby in one of the game's worst kept secrets. Jack's contract as Managing Director of Bristol Shoguns came to an end after Twickenham and he couldn't resist the challenge of trying to turn Bath around.

Only days after receiving a rapturous reception from the Memorial Stadium faithful at home to Northampton and leading his team to a Twickenham final, Dean Ryan has also gone. It is assumed that he will join Gloucester as forwards coach. Whether he jumped or was pushed is not clear.

Club captain Jason Little has decided that his body has told him enough is enough and he has hung up his boots on a glorious playing career. With his wife expecting a baby in the next few weeks and his own desire not to stand in the way of Bristol's promising young players, he has quit for the right reasons.

Jason has also called it a day at the right time. He has just led Bristol into the European Cup for the first time in their history and into the Zurich Championship playoff final. He's gone out on a high note and I hope that the rumours about him taking a year out and then returning as a coach turn out to be true.

So, it may appear that the Shoguns have suffered a grievous blow but Malcolm Pearce appears to have the bases covered. He will take a more active role now that Jack Rowell has moved on and Mike Rafter has joined as a non executive director.

Peter Thorburn the former North Harbour coach and New Zealand selector has agreed a 2 year deal as head coach. There is a widespread feeling that the club's playing fortunes improved when Thorburn arrived back in March. He would appear to be an astute signing.

Paul Hull will have a more senior coaching role and one of his responsibilities will be to ensure that more U21s make it to senior level. Hully is off to New Zealand shortly on an Elite International Coaching course. He'll be a popular choice with the supporters.

On the playing side, Malcolm has promised an "phenomenal" signing shortly and the speculation has already begun. Some people have mentioned Mike Catt. The Evening Post mentions an international centre to replace Jason, possibly a Kiwi.

It could have been disastrous. Just as the club gains some momentum and credibility, the wheels could have come off. However, the speed of events leads me to believe that this has all been planned for some time. It's entirely possible that Malcolm may just have been waiting for the end of the season before making his move.

I think the coaching moves are very positive. All the current players have re-signed and Malcolm insists that they are happy with the changes. The proposed new signing is very intriguing.

Life's never dull as a Shoguns supporter!