Former Bristol and England star Mark Regan is going back to school after agreeing to coach St Brendan's College.

The 37-year-old, a former pupil at the sixth-form college in Brislington, will spend two afternoons a week working with the first XV. His role with St Brendan's is the latest he has taken on since calling time on his playing career at the end of last season.

The former hooker also coaches National Two South Clifton and has worked with Ulster.

"I'm going to be coaching my old school on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons," said Regan.

"They approached me and I said 'why not?' I'm pretty busy, but coaching my old school is something I'm really looking forward to."

Regan spent some time working with Magners League outfit Ulster in Belfast during the summer and is eager to build his coaching portfolio.

"I went over to Ulster and did some work with their front row," he said.

"I played with and against Jeremy Davidson, their assistant coach, who is a top boy. He coaches their forwards but he isn't a specialist in line-out throwing or the technicalities of front-row scrummaging, so he got me over to work with the front row."

Regan, who is holding a retirement ball in Bristol on November 27, where he will dance with former Strictly Come Dancing winner Karen Hardy, is also working in the media with Sky Sports and BBC Radio Bristol as well as his regular Evening Post column.

He said: "Rugby is still a big part of my life, and I'll be making another appearance on the pitch in the Bermuda Classic in November.

"I'm still involved in the game through coaching and the media, but I've also been pursuing other interests since I retired."