JOHN Brain has revealed he turned down the chance to sign Bristol-bound Chris Malone.

Worcester's director of rugby was offered the Australian two months ago but decided to turn his attentions to Tommy Hayes.

Fly-half Malone, who has joined Bristol from Bath for the first-half of the season, made a big impact for Exeter in National One before his move to the Recreational Ground.

However, Brain believes Hayes is a better bet once he knew the former Glasgow man was available and decided against a Malone move.

"We were offered Chris Malone," said Brain. "However, we wanted Tommy before Chris Malone. It's as simple as that. If we hadn't have got Tommy then we may have gone for Chris because he's a good player.

"I talked to Jack Rowell about Chris about two months ago but the fact is, we believe Tommy Hayes is a better bet for us. We were delighted to get Tommy and I said at the time that he could be the best number 10 ever to play for Worcester. We rate him that highly."

Malone joins what many believe is a sinking Bristol ship after 23 players jumped during the summer following their relegation from the Premiership. Brain, though, believes the Shoguns will be dangerous opponents when the season begins in September.

"I don't think Bristol will be in the bottom half of the table as some people are suggesting," he said.

"They are out of the starting blocks late in terms of them putting their management and playing staff together. I believe, though, that they'll be attracting 3,000 each home game and they will be extremely difficult to beat there.

"They will have a major say in who wins this league, make no mistake about that. At this moment in time, it's impossible to say how strong they'll be but they'll have a say in who wins promotion just as Exeter have done over the past two years.

"Everyone says Orrell, Exeter and Bristol are the challengers but at present it's all speculation. What we have to do is concentrate on ourselves.

"Worcester have in the past identified their main opposition and then worried about them too much and I don't want to see that again."