Bristol head coach Paul Hull says he is already making plans for next season should his side gain an instant return to the Guinness Premiership.

Currently sat on top of the Championship, Bristol will have to get through nine play-off matches if they are to regain their top-flight status.

"You've got to have positive thinking and we're working hard behind the scenes," Hull told BBC Points West.

"Part of the role is to recruit and we're out and about."

Despite the fact that Bristol do not yet know what division they will be playing in next season, Hull still thinks the club have a lot to offer new signings.

"Sometimes it's about being in a very good environment to play rugby," he said.

"Players don't just look at money or where you are in the league.

People are quite fresh, mentally and physically, leading up to the latter stages of the season so, at the moment, the big picture's in place. Paul Hull

"They'll have an idea of hopefully where we might be and the future plan of the club and the style of rugby we're playing."

Hull has already recruited former Bath captain Alex Crockett on a short-term deal with the possibility of extending it in the summer.

Crockett has been training with Bristol since 1 January and is available for competitive action from 1 March in time for the play-off campaign.

"He's training hard and itching to get on the pitch and that time is getting ever closer," said Hull.

"With that he's upping the intensity and right now he's like a schoolboy in a sweetshop.

"He's more vocal in team meetings and contributing a lot more in training as well.

Bristol have just three matches left in the regular season, the first being away to third-placed London Welsh.

"This team is a good team, they're well coached and have got threats throughout the team," added Hull.

"And that's been proven as they've beaten everyone in the top six apart from us.

"We've had good momentum over the last couple of months and we want to keep that going.

"We always planned for the play-offs and have built our game slowly and we're starting to reap the benefits from that.

"People are quite fresh, mentally and physically, leading up to the latter stages of the season so, at the moment, the big picture's in place.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version