Richard Hill - Head Coach

Richard is the Head Coach at Bristol Rugby responsible for the whole playing strategy at the club.  He has many roles and responsibilities, but is ultimately accountable for how well the team performs in the Guinness Premiership, EDF Challenge Cup and European Cup.

A former Bath scrum half during their successful era in the 80’s and 90’s, Richard also won 29 caps for England, including appearance in two World Cup tournaments in 1987 and 1991.

At the end of his playing career in 1994, he turned to coaching and after gaining experience at Gloucester, Ebbw Vale, Newport and Harlequins, he has become one of only seven coaches who have completed the RFU Level 5 coaching award.

He completed a unique involvement with all three senior West Country sides after becoming in charge of Bristol in 2003.

In his second season Bristol won the National Division 1 title, in his third season the club consolidated its position in the Guinness Premiership and, in 2006-7, he guided Bristol to their highest ever finish in the Premiership (3rd).

Paul Hull - Assistant Coach

Paul’s role at the club is Assistant Coach to the 1st XV and his responsibilities are team defence, counter attack, kicking strategy, notational analysis and three quarter play. He is passionate about the club and wants to help Bristol Rugby to keep building and challenging in the future for Premiership and European honours.

Paul is in his nineteen season with Bristol Rugby Club and in that time, he had a short spell with London Irish for two seasons as the Assistant Coach (2003-2005). He was always destined to rejoin his beloved club and is enjoying his second campaign with Richard Hill as Head Coach.

He played for the first team from 1987 to 1999 in the process becoming one of the most loyal and committed players ever to have played for the famous West Country club. He captained the club in 1995/96 season and made four appearances for England at full back.

After retiring from playing, Paul went on to become Academy Manager at Bristol, leading the Under 21 team to three consecutive league titles from 1999 to 2002.

In his time as Academy Manager he nurtured a lot of young talent to become professional players in the premiership and to the full International stage.

Paul has also received his RFU Level 5 Coaching Award.

John Brain - Assistant Coach

John joined Bristol Rugby for the 2007-8 season having spent almost six years at Worcester Warriors.

He joined Worcester as Head Coach in July 2001, became Director of Rugby in 2002 and went on to mastermind Worcester's promotion to the Guinness Premiership with an unprecedented 26 wins from 26 matches in 2003-4. He coached Worcester to Premiership survival in 2006-7 ensuring a fourth season in the top flight.

John has a massive reputation as a forwards coach and is considered to be one of the best in the Premiership.

Prior to joining Worcester, John spent 20 years at Gloucester making 285 appearances before joining the coaching team working alongside the likes of Richard Hill and Phillippe Saint-Andre.

John Barnes - Analyst & Skills Coach

John works alongside Richard Hill and the other coaches focussing on skills coaching (particularly kicking) and video analysis. He also manages the United side in the Guinness A League.

Initially joined Bristol Rugby in 2001, working in the Community Department. Moved into the Bristol Rugby Academy in 2003 and into his current role for the 2006-7 season.

Playing history: 2002 – Present Clifton RFC, 2001 – 2002 Henley Hawks, 2000 – 2001 IR San Dona (Italy)

Qualifications: MSc Management Science – Loughborough University, BSc PE and Sports Science – Loughborough University, Bristol Grammar School
 

Richard Mack - Head of Medical Services

Richard Mack joined Bristol Rugby for the 2007-8 season as Head of Medical Services. 

In this role he is responsible for planning  the whole medical  strategy for Bristol Rugby and accountable for its delivery. 

A new and exciting role, Richard brings a wealth of Premiership and international experience as a physiotherapist to the club.

Richard spent the past two seasons as Head Physiotherapist at Gloucester Rugby and has previously been Head Physiotherapist for  London Irish and England U21s before taking a year’s sabbatical to study for his Masters in Ireland.

Married to Anne, Richard relishes the new challenge and working alongside the well established medical team at Bristol Rugby.

Tom Bradley- Team Physiotherapist (Clinical)

Tom joined Bristol Rugby in January 2008 having worked at the Cornish Pirates from May 2006 until December 2007.

Tom qualified from the University of East London in 2000 and worked within the NHS for 5 years.

He worked part time with the Chelsea Academy, part time with the Saracens Academy and also spent three years with Harlequins.

Tom also worked with the junior British Rowing Team in 2005 when he also left the NHS to join a Sports Clinic.

 Penny Porter - Team Physiotherapist (Rehab)

Penny joined Bristol rugby club for the 2006-7 season when she will worked alongside Paul Tompkins and Simon Edwards as a Physiotherapist primarily responsible for the Academy.

Penny now works alongside Tom Bradley as one of the first team physios.

Penny is a former international swimmer and British record holder. She trained as a Physiotherapist in Bristol before completing a Masters Degree in Exercise Physiology at Loughborough University.

She has worked with several national and international teams and having been head Physiotherapist and Sports Scientist to GB water polo for several years. She currently works as a consultant Sport Scientist and Physiotherapist to the British Swimming Team.  
 

Dr Richard Usher - Club Sports Physician

Richard joined the club's medical team last year as Club Sports Physician Richard is a GP with a Specialist Interest in Sports Medicine, who completed his Diploma in Sports Medicine at Bath University a number of years ago.

He now spends a full day a week in musculo-skeletal medicine, as well as supporting Bristol players here on a Tuesday and match day cover.

His interest started as his rugby playing career wound down, and he was appointed to the England RFU medical staff, looking after the England Under 16s (2 years), U18s (5 years), and at present the England Students Side (5 years) .

Alongside the rugby, Richard was on the Commonwealth Games Medical Committee (2002), as well a doctor for the Games, and has travelled widely, especially with the England FA teams, including taking the England Blind football team to Argentina for the Blind World Cup in 2006 .

He has also covered International tennis, and cricket matches, but the highlight will always be the two occasions he was “Match Doctor “ for the England Rugby Team at Twickenham in 2001.

Jess O'Riordan - Team Doctor

Jess joins Bristol Rugby for the 2008-9 season. She trained initially at Trinity College, Dublin and did an MA in Exercise and Sports Medicine at University College, Cork.

Jess has worked as a local GP at a practice in North Bristol and will cover most United games and some 1st team matches.

She has played a good level of rugby herself and was Team Doctor to the Irish Women's Team in Rugby World Cup 2006. 

Becky Hall - Masseuse

Becky joins Bristol Rugby for the 2008-9 season. 

Becky worked with the Catalan Dragons Rugby League Team on an Internship basis until August 2007 including the Carnegie Challenge Cup Final.

She also runs her own business and holds a diploma in Sports Massage Therapy. 

Dave Bell - Head of Physical Preparation

Dave is responsible for the planning and execution of all strength and conditioning training. He is also responsible for the strength and explosive power development for the senior and academy playing squads.

Having spent five years as Strength & Conditioning Coach for  NEC Harlequins and two years before that with Plymouth Albion RFC, Dave had no hesitation when the opportunity arose to work with Richard Hill again here at Bristol Rugby.

Married to Linda, they have five children. The eldest Chris plays for Sale Sharks in the centre, and they have another 3 sons and a daughter.

Dave keen sports enthusiast who competed at weight lifting in the Royal Air Force, and played rugby league in Wigan where he originates from.

Tom McLaughlin – Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach

Tom is employed alongside Dave Bell in the Strength and Conditioning Department with responsibility for the senior and academy squads. This is Tom’s 4th year employed by the club after starting work on a student placement.

His duties involve assisting within the strength and conditioning department ensuring all of our players are well equipped to deal with the physical demands of Guinness Premiership rugby.

Tom has completed a BSc (Hons) in Sport & Exercise Science from UWIC and is also certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Recently Tom also completed Level 2 of the Charles Poliquin strength programme.

Geoff Moon - Academy Manager

Geoff joined Bristol for the 2006-7 season from Auckland Rugby where he was Academy Manager for the past four years. His role is to make sure that the club has a succession of players coming through our Academy to represent Bristol in the years to come. His emphasis is identifying local players from the talent rich city.

In addition to his main role, Geoff will also be heading up the coaching for Bristol United this year and will work hard to ensure that the players are developed inline with the premiership teams requirements. Geoff also has had previous experience in this area having coached the Auckland Blues and NPC development Teams for the last three seasons.

He is married to Angela and has three children Jessica 9, Sean 7 , Dylan 5.

Chalky Meek – Kit Manager

Chalky joined Bristol Rugby for the 2006-7 season from the Army after 27 years. During his time in the Army he has managed to travel the world, whilst still calling it work!!!

Chalky was the kit manager for the Army Rugby team for 7 years a job he found both hard work and rewarding. 

Married to Jayne for 21 years they have a son called Tom.

Chalky is a keen sportsman who enjoys squash, golf and has even been known to go for the odd run.