Heineken Cup

England and Gloucester centre Mike Tindall has publically called on the hierarchy at Kingsholm to clarify the position of seemingly under-fire head coach Dean Ryan as soon as possible.

A disappointing end to the Guinness Premiership season saw the Cherry and Whites end the season trophyless - a far too regular occurrence for the powers that be at the club.

There has been much speculation since the end of the season that Ryan, previously linked with the Wasps job, was on his way but there has still been no official word from the club at this stage.

"It needs to be sorted out as soon as it can for peace in everyone's mind," said Tindall to BBC Radio Gloucester.

Tindall, the squad captain, is already back in training ahead of next season. The Gloucester players are busy with fitness training under Mark Bitcon but at the moment seem a little confused as to who will be the man in charge when the season kicks off.

"We're back in pre-season now so we've just got to get on and train,

"Ideally you want everything settled down as quickly as it can be, but in certain areas that's never possible. Towards the top end of the club it always takes that little bit more time.

"Mark's set out what he wants to do and we're just attacking that at the moment and then hopefully by the time it comes round to getting into the rugby side of it things will be sorted."