The Bristol Shoguns met the media today

Malcolm Pearce
By Duncan Wood
August 20 2002

It was a big day at the Bristol Golf Club as the Bristol Shoguns hosted the local and national media. Players, staff and officials all posed for photos and conducted interviews.

It was meet the media day for the Bristol Shoguns today and an opportunity to photograph the new look squad, interview key personalities and get a sneak preview of the new playing strip.

Malcolm Pearce, Peter Thorburn, Ross Beattie, Agustin Pichot, Julian White and Paul Williams of Mitsubishi then held an informal question and answer session some of which I've typed up below.

Malcolm kicked things off by thanking everyone for coming as Bristol prepare for what promises to be a very exciting season. He is approaching this new season with a real sense of optimism due largely to the appointment of Peter Thorburn who Malcolm described in glowing terms and also due to the quality and settled nature of the squad.

Peter Thorburn described how fortunate he felt to be in charge of a club like Bristol and how he feels that it's the best balanced squad Bristol have had for a long time, a mixture of youngsters and internationals.

He feels the season will be tough but that it's a great opportunity for players to shine. He also said that the squad will have to be carefully managed in order to get through so many tough games. All the teams have strengthened and there won't be any easy games.

"Malcolm. It seems that, through a lot of hard work, the club has arrived at a point where it can really move forward. There are young players coming through, there's been a Twickenham final and qualification for the Heineken Cup. What's your ongoing vision for the club, what are your targets?"

MP: People are bound to ask about your goals, what your aspirations are. Whilst we're optimistic, we're also realistic. We set about this job four years ago and we set ourselves certain targets and certain goals. If you look back, whatever we've said we will do, we've achieved. What I will say is that we'll be up there with the best of them and if we can finish in the top three then that'll be great.

"Malcolm, you've struggled to get support. What makes you think you're going to get it?"

MP: Well, it's a bit chicken and egg. The more we prove to the potential supporters that Bristol will be a force to be reckoned with for the future, with the backing we've got, the commercial activities we've undertaken and the population of Bristol, there's no reason why we couldn't have a similar membership to Leicester. If Leicester can do it then so can Bristol.

"Peter. The Irish tour saw some good performances. How close are you to knowing your starting side versus Saracens?"

PT: Three games closer! We've done a lot of skills and drills work, fitness and strength. We're probably a few weeks shy of where we'd like to be in terms of on field organisation. But the work that we've done is like a bank account and we can draw against it later on. The organisation will take a little longer. Losing coaches to rival clubs means we've had to change our calls, things that were second nature to a lot of players. The tour to Ireland was of great benefit although in hindsight two games in two days was probably too much only in that we didn't have enough spares towards the end of the game.

"Gus. You've been here a few seasons now. Is this the strongest squad you've been part of? And, on a personal note, how refreshed are you feeling after a really tough season?"

AP: I think as Peter said, we have more strength in the squad. The first year I was here and the next one, we really only had 15 players. This year we have a lot of young players coming through who have been with us for a season or so, they are ready to play Premiership. It has been a very short summer. It's tough, everyone wants the best from you. Your club wants you to play 24 games, your country wants you to play a lot of games as well. It has to get sorted out as some stage. 4 or 5 weeks ago, I was playing against South Africa and now we're preparing for Saracens. It's been tough but I can't wait to start and I've asked Peter if I can be selected for the next couple of games.

"Malcolm. You've talked about building a support of 15,000 or more. The Memorial Stadium won't be able to accommodate them."

MP: Well, it'll be a good excuse to leave and go somewhere else! It's be a nice situation to be in, a fine opportunity. We have a contingency plan and have had for some time. We have a lease at the Memorial Ground for this coming season and next. We need to watch this space. We will move unless we can negotiate a better deal than we have got at the moment.

"Ross, as the skipper, you must be delighted at the prospect of leading the team out. What aspirations do you have on a personal and team basis this season?"

RB: I'm delighted and honoured to be leading the team out. On a personal note, I was injured for practically all of last season so I want to be playing again and playing to the best of my ability. On a team note, we came a long way last week when we were in Ireland. We've got a lot to work on but we've got the Heineken Cup this year so we'll see how we get on in that. As Malcolm says, the top end of the league and we'll wait and see.

"And hopefully catch the eye of the Scotland selectors?"

RB: (Laughs) There is that as well! No, I'm just going to concentrate on playing to the best of my ability at Bristol and anything that happens from that will happen from that.

"Paul (Williams of Mitsubishi). You've had your first season now as the club's main sponsors, how do you feel the relationship has developed over the last 12 months and how are you hoping for it to move onwards?"

PW: You used the right adjective when you said "developed". We made a 5 year commitment to the club and I think that has been proved to be absolutely the right decision. We learned a lot in the first year and I'm sure that we'll gain even more from our association this year. Someone mentioned potential earlier and it's a phrase that is often used. We could have got involved with other Premiership clubs but we looked at it long hard and decided that Bristol offered the greatest long term potential. It's the second year in a 5 year relationship and I see no reason why we can't build on it and be successful in the future.