It has been good for the boys to have a break and refocus for our last four games which we start on Friday night against Sale who will be, like Leicester, starting a run of three games in ten days. The last 2 games have been disappointing against both Harlequins and London Irish, but we aim to put that right against the Sharks.

We'll be the first game for Sale and the third game for Leicester in that block of fixtures. It's an important phase for us as we try and finish as high up the table as possible and with four games to go there's plenty to play for.

Sale will be a tough challenge as it's tight at the top and they're pushing for a play off place. It makes for quite an exciting finish to the season really with loads to play for and I still think that we can force our way into a very respectable position if we get good results in our last four games.

Sale is obviously our first Friday night fixture this season after we had a real run of them last season. It's funny how things turn out. I know the players really enjoy playing on Friday nights as we did in last year's November fest when we enjoyed great occasions like Gloucester, Newport and Sale at home on Friday nights.

Unfortunately, I don't think that black rain cloud (that Kingsley Jones says follows us everywhere) will be with us on Friday night as it always seemed to be during that particular period but we're all looking forward to Friday night anyway.

It's a strange period of the season now with the end in sight. I often reflect on this as I've been involved with rugby in both the amateur and professional era.

Squads used to stay together in their entirety a lot longer but, the way the professional game is now, there is always a significant chunk of a squad that will change each season as people's contracts come to an end or they decide to pursue opportunities elsewhere.

That's one of the realities of professionalism that is still a little tough to deal with because you do become close to people as it's a team sport and very much 'us and them' throughout the season. So, it is like a member of the family leaving when the time comes.

Replacing those players and strengthening the squad is very much at the forefront of our efforts at the moment and we're looking forward to dotting the i's and crossing the t's with a few new faces and announcing those in the next few days. We're very excited about some potential new recruits. So, we will have a very competitive squad next season.

Since my last blog entry, there has been the big announcement regarding the Memorial Stadium and planning permission being granted.

Everyone looks at the Mem with a great deal of fondness but even it's most ardent fans must agree now that it does look a little tired around the edges and the opportunity we have to play at a real state of the art, showpiece stadium in Bristol is one that everyone is very excited about.

I know that for us, as a business, it gives us a fantastic opportunity to fill the Mem with 18,500 people and provide them with a fantastic matchday experience on and off the field.

I know that our board are moving towards securing a long term deal with Bristol Rovers to play at the new stadium and, until that is done, we cannot commit to an alternative location for next season. I think it's quite prudent with negotiations ongoing not to make any public announcements which may be subject to change and weaken our negotiating position.

So, we're very close but it's dependant on a number of things and, as soon as they're resolved, the relevant announcements will be made.

Finally, our skipper Matt Salter was today giving his Kayak adventure a publicity launch. He's usually to be seen with long hair and holes in his jeans trekking around India with his wife in the off season.

But this time he's chosen kayaking for charity with nine of his team mates in the fjords of Norway - it certainly beats an 18-30!

But I know that Matt would rather do that than sit on a sun lounger somewhere and also, knowing him as I do, he'll complete that challenge.

Until next time.

CP