Former King John School student Max Crumpton wants immediate return to English rugby's top flight

Bristol could only secure three wins on their return to English rugby’s top flight.

And the Hadleigh-born Crumpton admitted he was disappointed to see Bristol’s stay in the Aviva Premiership last only one campaign.

Crumpton, 23, said: “I think we got a few things wrong, as a team, early on.

“But I think that we definitely belong in the Aviva Premiership.

“We performed well when we went to Northampton Saints and Saracens, but we only came away with a point when we should have won all three.

“On some occasions, we just didn’t get the luck that we deserved.”

The former King John School student scored four tries in 14 Aviva Premiership appearances last term.

And, having tasted top flight rugby for the first time since spells with Saracens and Harlequins earlier in his career, Crumpton is eager to test himself against the best again.

Crumpton added: “Having spent a lot of time with Saracens and Harlequins, I know what it takes to compete in the top flight.

“I learned a lot at Harlequins and felt like I could carry that on with Bristol.

“We have been relegated now, and that is disappointing, but I am hungry to get back up.”

Bristol could only muster 20 points from a campaign which saw them finish 13 points adrift of 11th placed Worcester.

But after suffering relegation, Bristol will be one of the favourites to win the second-tier RFU Championship title.

And Crumpton is confident that Bristol have the credentials needed to bounce back and win promotion back to the Aviva Premiership at the first time of asking.

Crumpton confirmed: “For me personally, it is about seeing myself as the number one pick in the team.

“As a club, it is all about maintaining our Aviva Premiership standards.

“I think that bouncing back at the first attempt is definitely the aim for us next season.

“And I think that we are definitely capable of achieving that target.

“I’m confident that we’ll go straight back up.”