The Dragons face Bristol on Friday night (7.45pm) in round two of the European Challenge Cup competition we chart the recent history of the club from the West Country.
The recent renaissance of Bristol Rugby has been as swift as it has been remarkable, a club that was standing nose to nose with oblivion a few short years ago is now standing proud at the top of the Guinness Premiership.
With the 2002-2003 season about to kick off fans of the then Bristol Shoguns had a distinct spring in their step; their first foray in to the promised land of the Heineken Cup and a superb squad list boasting the likes of Contepomi, Pichot, Archer, Gibson, White and Sheridan – optimism was high with big things expected of the Shoguns. But even before a ball was kicked in anger the wheels started to wobble. Inspirational head coach, Dean Ryan moved to fierce local rivals Gloucester, Director of Rugby, Jack Rowell moved to even fiercer local rivals Bath and to cap it all talismanic captain Jason Little decided to hang up his boots.
By Christmas the wheels had all but come off, owner Malcolm Pearce announced his intention to pull out at the end of the season and a term of mixed fortunes in the league became one of horror as the club nose dived towards the First Division.
Bristol found themselves in a new league with new owners at the helm and a squad that was rapidly bailing out. It was decided that the way forward was to look back, to embrace the Bristol tradition of old and move away from the "big names, big wages" school of thought recruiting players who were Bristol through and through while strengthening ties with the successful local league teams. Bristol old boy Dave Hilton was bought in to captain a side consisting mainly of Under 21s players. A new coaching team soon followed, Richard Hill and Martin Haag set about fashioning a team that could compete in the National League Division One. They achieved this and more lifting the Powergen Shield while finishing safely mid-table in the league.
Hill continued to build on this sold base bringing in several former Bristol players and quality youngsters. The formula was a successful one as against many expectations they comfortably secured promotion and the 2005-2006 season would once again see the men from the West Country competing with English rugby's elite.
Their life in the Guinness Premiership was not expected to be a long one with many critics expecting an immediate return to Division One. Hill resisted the urge to splash the cash on big names and instead forged a squad of huge experience and undoubted talent, plus some canny moves for a handful of superb Division One players. This philosophy proved justified as they avoided the dreaded drop quite happily.
With consolidation the name of the game for 2006-2007 everyone, Hill included, has been astounded by Bristol's emphatic start to the season. A five try demolition of Worcester was followed by a turgid draw with Saracens, but since then stunning victories over London Irish and Wasps have catapulted Bristol to the top of the Guinness Premiership.
Bristol aim to play a style of rugby not always associated with the English top flight, excitement and entertainment are now synonymous with the club. Though they still might lack some of the star names boasted by their contemporaries several appearing on the team sheet will be familiar to many: Jason Strange, Gareth Llewlleyn, Nathan Budgett and David Lemi, plus some are sure to be familiar soon: Shaun Perry, Josh Taumalolo and Dan Ward-Smith.
This season's results
Worcester 11 Bristol 41
Bristol 13 Saracens 13
London Irish 11 Bristol 23
Bristol 22 Bath 15
Gloucester 63 Bristol 25
Bristol 33 Harlequins 20
Bucuresti 3 Bristol 27
