Rowell, a non-executive director at Bristol, quit as coach Bath in 1994 to take over the England team but his business commitments outside the game saw him eventually replaced by Clive Woodward in 1997.

Bristol suffered their fourth successive league defeaton Sunday when they were beaten 30-26 by London Irish in front of a crowd of less than 3,000 at the Memorial Stadium.

Club owner Malcolm Pearce, speaking while taking a short break in Spain, gave a vote of confidence to player-coach Dean Ryan last week.

"Somebody has be brought into the club to sort things out now," said Pearce.

"I'm not going to mess around any longer, someone has to shake things up.

"There should be enough good players within the club but they are just not clicking together. Everything was put in place for them during the closed season but they are not performing.

"I understand that Jack Rowell may have more time available soon and if he can devote more time to Bristol, then we will be willing accept his offer.

"The situation that we find ourselves in at Bristol cannot be allowed to continue.

"Rugby is a business in a shambles. If it wasn't a serious issue, then it would be a fiasco.

"Bristol is playing a very small part in English rugby at the moment. Our influence at the EFDR (English First Division Rugby) and other governing bodies is on the wane."

Rowell, who led Bath to eight cup wins and five league titles, confirmed if business commitments allowed he could become more involved with the club in some sort of support role.

"Something might or might not happen but first I have to button down my day job," said Rowell.

"I am the chief executive of a public limited company and therefore there are Stock Exchange sensitive issues that need to be addressed first."