We've obviously had a couple of weekends away from competitive action and I've been taking the opportunity to watch some rugby from the comfort of my armchair.

Ronnie (Mark Regan) has started both of England's RBS Six Nations matches doing well and I think it was very rewarding for Jason Hobson to get called up to the England squad last weekend as last minute cover for Phil Vickery.

It's just reward for Hobbo. I'm just glad he signed that new deal before he received his international call up! And, from England's perspective, it's fantastic because he's now quashed all that speculation about who he's eligible to play for.

Ronnie of course had a couple of 55 to 60 minute outings against Wales and Italy respectively and, to be fair and I've no doubt he'll remind us when he gets back, it was all going very well until he left the field!

Hobbo's progress and, also that of Alex Clarke, owes a lot I feel to the quality of the Guinness Premiership. I would argue, as would many others, that the Premiership maybe not the most glamorous but certainly the toughest and most unrelenting domestic competition in the world.

Combine that with the Heineken Cup and you've got a very hard season of rugby. These guys have now proved that they are more than capable of competing at the highest level. They've shown it on the European stage when they were both involved in the demolition of the Stade Francais scrum and there are other front rows who have been on the receiving end throughout the season.

All of our U20s have also been putting in some good performances, and hopefully we'll be seeing them in senior Bristol shirts in the not too distant future.

We're also, I'm glad to say, starting to look good on the injury front. Whilst we've had this two week fallow period, the Injured Players Group has continued to function with the medics and conditioners working hard and we're looking to welcome back a few players shortly.

Nathan Budgett is back in training, followed by Dan Ward-Smith very soon. Shaun Perry isn't too far away and Peter Bracken as well which will mean a welcome bolstering of playing resources.

Finally, there has been a considerable amount of speculation about possible comings and goings.  It is true to say that we are looking at the composition of next season’s squad and going through a proper process of ensuring we are very competitive next season. 

Undoubtedly this will involve retention, release and recruitment, but until we have concrete information to announce, I would ask you to be patient It would not be prudent of us to start commenting on speculation. I acknowledge sometimes that lack of information causes gossip but as soon as we have something concrete to report then our supporters will be the first to know.

But, as Richard has said in the past, we'll only make announcements when the timing is right for the player, for the other club involved and also for Bristol Rugby.

Until next time.

CP