By Duncan Wood
May 29 2002

Bristol Shoguns held a media day ahead of the semi final weekend when the U21s have a big playoff game of their own. Paul Hull spared me a few minutes to chat about the Academy.

3 league titles in a row. Where do you go from here?

Well, the aim at the start of the season was to capture the league title again. We've done that, we've achieved that and this (the playoff) is a bonus competition I would say. We've got a lot of injuries in the squad but it's a one off game, a semi final, a chance to go to Twickenham so we're thinking about this and not thinking too much about next season just yet.

How many of the squad are still eligible next season?

I can't think off the top of my head because we've got a big squad but the majority of the backline but all the tight 5 are leaving us next year. So that's a massive change.

But you've had to rebuild a lot in the last couple of seasons?

Exactly. That's the nature of this level anyway. Next year I'll still be coaching the 21s but also focussing on the role I've got as Academy manager. That'll be a different role but apart from that we'll be looking to do exactly the same. You've got to set your stall out and obviously it's harder and harder each year.

How do you rate Sale Jets?

The thing is with Sale is that they've got 2 different teams. The team we played away from home is their normal sort of side but when they play midweek matches they can put all their rugby league players in and also players from local clubs. So, the midweek fixture was different and the same thing happened when we played them midweek the year before. It was always going to be a tough game.

But now with the season almost over, they'll be able to play the midweek side if they want to. So, it'll be a very tough game, a very physical game. They've got some very powerful runners in the back 3 and a powerful centre. They carry the ball well - a typical rugby league style. And they try and intimidate the opposition - which is good, I like that! As a player I used to like that, the verbal side of things, I thrived on it. That's the rugby league mentality, they really do get in your face.

I wouldn't say that they deserved to win at Clifton. I think that we threw the game away. Watching the video, we kicked the ball away to them and they capitalised. Every time we kicked ball to them, they scored a try! So, we'll look at that and give them a lot of respect as they do have some really talented individual runners. We won't be taking them lightly that's for sure.

How have the injuries cleared up? Was it actually a relief that Northampton pulled out?

Not really. Northampton were in the same situation as us. Their injuries were in the same area as ours i.e. the front row. Mark Baker, who has been outstanding for us all year, one of our unsung heroes, he's out for the season. And Lee Bannister who is the number two, he's out for the rest of the season too. So, our two front line loose heads are out. But we can cater for that, we've got a good squad.

Duncan Heyward might be back as he's broken his hand. Alex Cadwallader is out for the season with his hamstring. There's a few injuries but we've got a good squad and hopefully that won't detract from the effort on Sunday.

How much of a motivator is the prospect of a game at Twickenham?

Well, I've not seen much of the guys this week but I'll be back with them tomorrow to monitor coaching. After tomorrow, we'll have a good team meeting and a good training session and I think that we don't really have to motivate them in this situation. Some of them have already played at Twickenham for their school teams and as part of the Middlesex Sevens but this is completely different. This is a cup final and we're a club team. It'll be nice to finish the season on a high.