Forwards coach John Brain leaves as Bristol cut back

John Brain (right) with Bristol head coach Paul Hull

Bristol forwards coach John Brain is leaving the Memorial Stadium in the wake of the club's failure to win promotion back to the Premiership.

And Bristol chairman Chris Booy has revealed that the playing budget will be slashed as they contemplate another year in the Championship.

"John Brain, whose contract expires in June, will leave the club," said Booy in a statement on the club website.

"I want to thank him for his efforts and wish him well."

Brain, a former Gloucester player and ex-head coach at Worcester, follows centre Luke Eves - who has joined Newcastle - out of the Memorial Stadium.

Bristol, who finished top of the Championship table, were favourites to earn a place back in the Premiership but lost both legs of the play-off final to Exeter Chiefs.

"I am sure we all share the disappointment of last Wednesday evening," the statement continued. "I still cannot believe we fluffed our lines on the big stage, but that is the emotional rollercoaster of sport.

"The board had made available every resource we could to secure promotion and realistically this season was our best chance to get back into the Premiership.

Bristol rugby's chief executive Steve Gorvett told BBC Radio Bristol: "We will ensure that we've got a squad who are committed to represent the club with passion and real commitment.

"As things develop we will make further statements, once we're a little further down the road."

Booy added that Bristol will not jeopardise their future by making commitments they cannot meet.

"The board approved a new budget for the forthcoming season, a budget that has been reduced significantly to reflect where we are now," he said.

I am sure we all share the disappointment of last Wednesday evening. I still cannot believe we fluffed our lines on the big stage

Bristol Rugby chairman Chris Booy

"We will need to make dramatic savings if we are to survive but, with the support of everyone involved, we will achieve this.

"The biggest overhead we have is staff and over this last year we have cut back to the bone all other areas to maximise the playing budget. We will have to cut this budget now to reflect the income we are forecasting.

"Players will be leaving the club - I know the message boards and the pub talk will speculate as to who is going and who is staying but we have not agreed next season's squad and all the playing staff are being spoken to over the next week or so."

Despite the shock news, Booy insists that, by making cuts now, Bristol's future can be secured.

"We will be competitive next year, we will ensure a squad of players who are committed and will represent the club with passion and commitment, and we will continue to spend all we can on the playing budget.

"Now is the time for us to take stock and really plan for our future - the stadium and the funding we need must be addressed before we can attract the serious investment required to re-establish ourselves in the top flight.

"For now, we are making the tough decisions that need to be made."