Pat Lam has revealed his plans for the Bristol Bears coaching team to deal with the departure of former All Black John Afoa this summer.
Afoa, 38, has been a player-coach at Bristol this season responsible for the scrum after replacing Alasdair Dickinson last summer following the Scotsman’s switch to Glasgow Warriors.
But Afoa’s move to French ProD2 side RC Vannes this summer, where he will hold a similar role, leaves Lam with a hole in his coaching staff.
Discussing the vacant scrum coach position, Lam said: “Dave Ward [Bristol Bears Womens head coach] has been working behind the scenes as well this season.
“John, it is difficult as a player-coach, it is something we tried, but Dave has been there to plug the holes and he will be a part of our coaching group moving on.
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“Dave has done a phenomenal job with our women's program as head coach. I am really pleased.
"When we interviewed for that role having integrated the women into our program, the number one thing I said is we have to get the right person.
“We had a lot of people apply for it but when we interviewed Dave was head and shoulders above all the candidates and he has proven that by taking the women's side to their highest ever finish with a semi-final this weekend.
“He has done a phenomenal job.”
Ward, still just 36, was a hooker by trade in his playing days having come through the ranks at Bath. He went on to represent Harlequins, Northampton Saints, Sale Sharks, Ampthill and Cornish Pirates getting to within touching distance of being capped by England, touring with the national side to New Zealand without featuring in a Test in 2014.
Ward was appointed head coach of Bristol Bears women in April 2021 and has coached the side to a top four finish with the team facing Exeter Chiefs in the Premier 15s play-off semi-final in Devon on Sunday with a place in the final against either Saracens or Harlequins up for grabs.
