Brain exits Bristol

Bristol missed out on the chance to bounce back into the top-flight at the first attempt after losing to Exeter in their two-legged Championship play-off.

That setback has cost the club up to £2.5million - largely through the end of the parachute payments - with Brain, who was brought to the club by former boss Richard Hill, becoming the first big casualty to leave Bristol.

And club chairman Chris Booy admits that more will be leaving the Memorial Stadium as he looks to balance the books, while remaining competitive.

"We will have to cut this budget now to reflect the income we are forecasting," Booy told the club's official site.

Competitive

"Players will be leaving the club - I know the message boards and the pub talk will speculate as to who is going and who is staying but we have not agreed next season's squad and all the playing staff are being spoken to over the next week or so.

"This is a process made more difficult as many have now gone away for the post season break.

"We will make a further announcement on this in due course once the decisions have been made. John Brain, whose contract expires in June, will leave the club and I want to thank him for his efforts and wish him well.

"We will be competitive next year, we will ensure a squad of players who are committed and will represent the club with passion and commitment, and we will continue to spend all we can on the playing budget."

Bristol have already seen talented centre Luke Eves head to Newcastle, while Tom Arscott has been linked to a move to Leicester.