Bristol boss rules out spending spree

Sean Holley, the head coach of the Rugby Football Union Championship club Bristol Rugby, has ruled out a spending spree in the summer or even this month, despite given financial backing by Steve Lansdown.

The Bristol boss admitted that agents of players are using the new found wealth of the club to drive up the wages of players during the negotiations but he has vowed not to be held at gunpoint and admitted that the club has to embrace its status as a rugby powerhouse.

The club has already signed Italian international centre Tommaso Benvenuti while former England international flanker Tom Varndell has agreed a two year contract to move to Ashton Gate from Wasps RUFC in the summer.

The club has also been linked with several high profile players including Marc Jones, the Sale Sharks hooker, Brad Barritt, the highly talented centre for Saracens FC as well as versatile and controversial Bath Rugby back Gavin Henson, who has played under Holley at Ospreys.

When asked if agents were deliberately trying to push for higher wages for players, the Bristol boss admitted that it might be happening but he can’t do anything about it.
He mentioned that he knows many coaches and Directors of Rugby and they are linked with absolutely no one at all. But they have got to get used to that now because the new owner is a very wealthy person.

Holley, however, said that it doesn’t mean he will go out and sign any player off the market. He said that there is a budget and there is a plan and that is how Lansdown made so much money, because he had a plan and it is also Bristol Rugby and his intention to stick to that plan and have a long term sustainability as well.