Bristol Bears name Omar Mouneimne as new defence coach

Bristol Bears have announced that Omar Mouneimne will join the Gallagher Premiership club as new defence coach with immediate effect.

Mouneimne will head to Ashton Gate from Worcester after being the defence and kicking strategy coach of the Warriors since 2017.

A former mixed martial arts fighter, Mouneimne started his coaching career with South Africa Sevens in 2006 and moved to Super Rugby side Stormers in 2008 and helped them reach the final of the competition two years later. He also helped Western Province reach the semi-final of Curie Cup in 2009 and also a final in 2010.

He was defence coach of Italy in 2011 when they defeated France in Six Nations for the first time and also has experiences of working with Edinburgh, Stade Francais, Lyon and Sharks.

“Everybody in the sport is sitting up and taking notice of what is going on at Bristol and the culture that they are building," he told in a statement released by the club.

"It’s a really exciting time for the club and for me to come onboard and contribute to a team that can genuinely challenge for silverware.

“I’m looking forward to working with Pat and the coaching team – it’s a quality squad with focus and self-belief. We want to be a team that is ruthless in defence and attack and can dominate in the Premiership and Europe. I can’t wait to get started.”