HEAD coach Hook has left Pontypool to take charge of the backs at Premiership outfit Bridgend.

The 31-year-old had been at Pooler for five years, working his way up the coaching ladder after a neck injury forced him to retire.

He went from skills coach to defence coach and then head coach in 2012 when he picked up the pieces following Pontypool’s costly High Court battle and demotion from the Premiership to the Championship.

Hook, along with team manager Shaun Rees, steadied the ship and after finishing 12th in 2012/13 they came fourth this season.

The former fly-half had talked about the club being in a great position to push for promotion but instead of leading that effort he will be heading back to the top flight of club rugby with the Ravens.

“The opportunity to work at Premiership level at a club of Bridgend's standing was too good to turn down,” said Hook, who will work alongside Coleg Gwent coach and former Newport hooker Paul Young.

“The history of the club goes without saying and I'm determined to contribute to Bridgend becoming a force in the Premiership once again. The prospect of working with such a squad really excites me.”