20 Questions: Sean Holley – Bristol head coach
Yes very much so. It’s great for the club but we’ve got to keep our feet on the ground and remain concentrated on the job in hand.
Has it been hard to keep the motivation up when everyone’s only been talking about this final from day one?
Every week proposed a different challenge. The Championship is a difficult league and you’ve got to keep on your toes. We were fairly confident we’d make the top four but we managed to do well especially away from home.
Happy with what you saw against Rotherham?
We were a little bit nervous in the first leg but the boys did well to pull it off and then win on the road last Sunday. The main thing is that we came out of it unscathed injury-wise.
Confident you can go one step further this year and return to the Premiership?
I hope so and we’ve been working very hard in that direction. But there’s the small problem of Worcester being in our way. They’re a very good side with a lot of experience.
What do you make of the two-game promotion final?
It’s unfortunate we have to go through that after we won the league outright for the past two seasons. But that’s the system and we’ve got to put in two more good performances.
You beat Worcester in the last round at Sixways, does it matter?
Not really. It’ll be two different games and we’ll go into it with different tactics based on what we know from each other. Both games in the regular season were so close and I’m sure it’ll be the same this time around.
Where will it be won or lost?
The set-piece has a huge part to play. We had the upper hand the last time we faced them but they proved to be very strong against London Scottish in their semi-finals. The way it’ll be refereed will be key, too. It’ll come down to who takes their chances in the end.
Are the Wednesday games changing the team’s routine?
We had a couple of days off after the game at Rotherham last Sunday. The boys are in a good place physically so we’ve been concentrating on ourselves more than anything.
Could you survive in the Premiership?
I think so. We might have to add a few players to our squad but we’ve got a good mix of young English talent and experience.
What will happen if you miss out again?
We’ll be in the Championship! We’d have to dust ourselves off and go at it again next season.
Signed a new deal recently, truly buying into Bristol‘s vision for the future?
Massively. There’s a huge vision not only for Bristol rugby but Bristol sport in general. It’s not a question of if we win promotion but when and I truly believe that.
You were linked with the Cardiff Blues job, thought about going back to Wales?
I set my stall in Bristol for a while. You never say never but my focus is on bringing Bristol back to the Premiership and beyond.
Best performance of the season?
The win in Worcester. We used the depth in our squad and there was a realisation of how good our squad is. The last 20 minutes against Rotherham in the first leg were very good, too.
And the worst one?
Cornish Pirates away. We scored six tries and still lost the game. That should never happen.
Best memory in rugby?
Coaching Wales in 2009.
How do cut off from rugby?
I have three children who keep me occupied. I like to take my boys fishing and I play the guitar. I’m pretty poor but I like a bit of Ed Sheeran.
What annoys you the most in life?
Queueing. It seems to be a waste of time.
Three dinner guest?
Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Ian Botham and Beyonce.
Best and worst banter at Bristol?
Best would be Matt Sherratt our backs coach and worst is Danny Wilson our forwards coach. The pair of them are like Ant and Dec.
Best and worst dressed?
Gavin Henson has to be the best dressed and worst is Mark Bennett our head of performance.
