Gloucester boss Dean Ryan has promised a squad overhaul after his side's 50-12 EDF Energy Cup final defeat to Cardiff Blues.
Gloucester boss plans end of season overhaul
Gloucester head coach Dean Ryan gave an honest reflection of his side's 50-12 EDF Energy Cup final defeat to Cardiff by admitting his current squad "is not good enough" to win trophies.
The Cherry and Whites lost their fourth successive Twickenham final as Cardiff ran in seven tries to claim their first piece of silverware since 2000.
Speaking after the game, Ryan conceded that his current squad is incapable of winning silverware.
"This journey is coming to an end and I don't mind taking a step back to start another journey," he said.
"We've been successful in reaching finals, we just haven't won trophies. We must start the journey again with another group of players.
Review
"Today we were significantly second best and we can't hide from that. Previous encounters have been about learning, today was about reality.
"We deserve credit for reaching finals year-in, year-out but I don't want to keep losing them.
"This group is not good enough to compete at this level. We have to accept that and it will be part of our review over the summer.
"You have got to recognise when the learning process is over and I think everyone at this club is at that point.
"We will look at taking the club in a different direction with a different group of people in the next year. We must address the problem with recruitment.
"It's no accident that some of this squad haven't gone on to become internationals and it's no accident we don't have five or six Lions contenders."
Ryan referred questions over his position to Gloucester owner Tom Walkinshaw but insisted loyalty to his players was his greatest failing.
"I fear for this industry - it's constantly about the jobs of directors of rugby," he said.
Proud
"We were sat at the top of the Premiership for two years but when it comes to finals my side is coming second best.
"I need to accept that and come up with plans to take us forward. I also need to see if Tom wants me to do that.
"If there's something I've done wrong in the past it's keeping faith with individuals hoping they'd improve when there were opportunities to change.
Meanwhile, Cardiff director of rugby Dai Young heaped praise on his players after a historic afternoon at the home of English rugby.
Leigh Halfpenny and Ben Blair both crossed twice while Tom James, Ceri Sweeney and Tom Shanklin also dived over as Gloucester were put to the sword.
"We didn't think we'd score 50 points against a team like Gloucester. I'm very proud of the effort and the skills," he said.
"It's been a long journey at the Blues because of the restrictions in place. We had to work with the younger players.
"We had to make sure everything was right with recruitment and today the seasoned internationals really stood up and led us.
"It's been a lot of hard graft but days like today make it worthwhile. The players were determined to make sure they came here and achieved something because they deserved it."
