Bristol Rugby appoint Matt Ferguson as scrum coach

LIAM Middleton has brought in scrum coach Matt Ferguson to implement a "scrummaging philosophy" that runs from Bristol's first team down to the club's academy forwards.

Former Cardiff Blues scrum coach Ferguson, who has held similar positions with the England women's team and also worked alongside Graham Rowntree at the Rugby Football Union, has joined the club on a full-time basis.

Bristol, who announced the return of former head coach Dean Ryan as rugby consultant earlier this week, had been looking for a coach to work with their pack – and specifically on improving their set-piece.

And, in Ferguson, Middleton believes he has found the ideal man to set the tone for how the club should scrummage at all levels from the academy up to the senior stars.

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"We had Tony Windo working with us one day a week last season – and he did a good job," said Middleton, pictured.

"But we just felt we wanted to bring someone in full-time to support our scrum from the first team right down to the young academy players.

"We want to bring through a scrum philosophy at Bristol, right down to the 14-year-olds in the academy. Matt has experience of coaching a whole range of age groups and we think he is a perfect fit for the strategy we want to implement."

Ferguson has been impressed by what he has seen from Bristol's forwards so far – and is enthused by his new role.

"To be successful, you need the right people and a hunger to achieve – the culture that Liam has put in place is based on that," he said.

"Bristol is renowned for its formidable forward power and scrummaging. I want to add to that philosophy and put a modern spin on it, so that we can strive to be the strongest pack in the Championship."

Chairman Chris Booy, meanwhile, has said he expects Bristol to make "a couple" of further signings before the 2012-13 season kicks off in early September.