Thursday 3 November 2016 12:56, UK
Bristol have suspended Andy Robinson after a poor start to the season and appointed Mark Tainton as acting head coach.
Bristol, promoted from the Championship last season, are bottom of the Aviva Premiership after seven straight defeats in their first seven matches.
Former England and Scotland head coach Robinson led the club back into the top flight in May after a seven-year stint in the second tier.
Robinson, 52, has been in charge at Bristol since 2013 and signed a new three-year deal with the club as recently as August.
A Bristol statement read: "The club will carry out an immediate review of their coaching needs and requirements. That review will be completed as quickly as possible."
Club chairman Chris Booy said: "This is clearly a very difficult time for the club, but we remain confident we can retain our position in the Premiership.
"The support for the club this season has been outstanding and that continued backing is very important going forward."
