Hill commits himself to Bristol until 2010

Bristol head coach Richard Hill has signed a three-year contract extension. The new deal will keep Hill at the Memorial Stadium until 2010.

Hill said: "When I was given the opportunity to head up the excellent coaching team three years ago, we had a huge challenge to take Bristol Rugby out of the first division and into the Premiership where we had hoped to re -

establish this famous club as one of the major forces in English rugby.

"We are now some way down the road to achieving this objective and I am delighted to accept the opportunity to continue to work toward this goal."

"This will require a great deal of hard work, something that everyone involved with Bristol Rugby will not shy away from."

Club chief executive David White added: "This shows a 100 per cent commitment by Richard to the future of Bristol Rugby and is another indication that the club's planning for the future is ongoing.

"Richard has been very successful since taking over as head coach in 2003. With limited resources he was instrumental in keeping Bristol Rugby in Division One and the following year gaining promotion to the Premiership.

"Despite the media's conviction that Bristol Rugby would be immediately relegated from the Guinness Premiership, Richard's eye for recruitment, his ability to organise and plan resulted in the club more than just surviving."