Sean Marsden: Bristol Bears promote coach as Dave Walder leaves

Bristol have promoted Sean Marsden to backs and attack skills coach.

He replaces senior backs and attack skills coach Dave Walder, who has left the club with immediate effect.

Marsden, 44, played more than 150 times for Bristol and first joined the club’s coaching staff in 2016 after taking up a role in the academy.

“It’s a great opportunity for him to take the next step in his coaching career and he is fully deserving of the role,” director of rugby Pat Lam told the club website., external

“We’ve seen the impact that Bristolian Mark Irish has had on our forwards last season when I gave him the opportunity to step up and Beanie (Marsden) has followed a similar pathway, coming through our academy coaching setup to have a real impact on the senior side.

“He has worked with me for the last seven seasons so totally understands our vision and is completely aligned to the Bears Way.

“He is really excited by the opportunity to step up and judging by the reaction and reception he received from the playing group when we announced it at our team meeting, he certainly knows we’re all excited for him.”