DIRECTOR of rugby Dean Ryan has criticised Bristol for the handling of Andy Short’s decision to join promotion rivals Worcester Warriors.
The 23-year-old, who scored nine tries in 30 appearances for Warriors before leaving in 2013, has agreed to return to his hometown club in the summer.
Ryan said it was a “brave” decision to join Worcester, but he admitted he was “surprised” by Bristol’s response as director of rugby Andy Robinson revealed the club would now be looking to ship Short out on loan.
Robinson said: “We are absolutely focused on our season goals and we can’t afford to have anybody in the squad who isn’t wholly committed to that aim.
“That’s nothing personal to Andy who is a good professional, but agreeing to join a promotion rival at such an important time of the year could serve as a distraction.
“As a result, we will be exploring loan options elsewhere for Andy for the remainder of this campaign.”
These comments came under scrutiny from Ryan who admitted he was not intending to announce the deal until Short felt it was right to do so.
“He made a brave choice,” Ryan said. “But there has been some interesting releases coming from Bristol which I am surprised at as Andy is being stuck in the middle of all this.
“I don’t totally understand it (Bristol’s reaction). I might understand it if we were both in the play-offs against each other and they chose not to play him in that.
“But to just push him this far away does seem a little bit strange and I am not sure what it merits.”
Short, who has represented England at U18, 19 and 20 levels, had become a regularly feature on the wing for Bristol as he crossed the whitewash 18 times in 42 appearances and Ryan believes the talented back will continue to flourish at Sixways.
“He fell out of the system here because of a lack of opportunity, but the irony is that he comes back because he has been provided with opportunity and that’s how much this place has changed,” Ryan added.
“A lad with that sort of amount of potential can only offer more and get better.
“He brings real potential, but he also brings real commitment to what we are trying to do. Like Coxy (Matt Cox), the only way he sees himself being in the Premiership is by his club back there and playing a part in it.”