FORMER Lydney and Gloucester legend Paul Howell has answered an SOS to help out Bream.

Following Clive Ryder's return to Berry Hill, Bream have been stuck without a coach.

Howell was approached by the club and has agreed to fill the void on a week-by-week arrangement.

He said: "I'm keen to help them out without tying myself down.

"I can't do the job permanently but I'll help where I can. I take some training sessions and go to some of the games."

Howell says his prime concern is to get the players enjoying their rugby again.

He said: "There are several very good players and some hardworking, keen lads.

"I want to get them playing with a smile on their faces and enjoying it. It's back to basics. Over the past few years Bream have had a very good pack but they no longer have people like Clive Ryder, Jimmy Roberts and Brett Scriven. It's a younger side and they need to play a different way."

If anyone can help Bream improve it's Howell.

He learnt his rugby at Lydney Secondary Modern School under John Fry and made his senior Lydney debut in 1974.

At the age of 22, Howell left Lydney for Gloucester and he was part of the team that won the 1978 John Player Cup final at Twickenham with a 6-3 win over Leicester.

Howell spent three years at Gloucester before moving on to Bristol.

He returned to Gloucester in 1982, had a season at Pontypool, then finished his playing career back at Lydney.

He said: "Bream have some young players with prospects but they need to play more as a team, rather than individuals.

"I played for no money and I think the game has probably been the loser with the emphasis on money.

"Below the Premiership and the Championship, I'd like to see things get back to sensible sociable rugby."