CRAIG White insists Bournemouth have the right ingredients for the promotion mix after agreeing to stay on as coach alongside Dan Connolly next season.

The interim duo told the squad on Thursday that they would remain at the helm having thrashed out plans for the club's infrastructure with chairman Phil Sinkinson, officials and senior players.

And after nailing his colours to the mast, White is bullish over Lions' chances of making a return to National Two South – English rugby union's fourth tier.

White told the Daily Echo: "Now the hard work begins on a new structure which we should have in place for next season.

"I had been concerned about a few things on and off the pitch but came away from our discussions feeling comfortable with what was said. Certain things have already been actioned, while other are in the process of being resolved."

On his targets for next season, White added: "You always talk a good game and we want to go for promotion. That has to be the target, to get out of this league and from what I have seen, with one or two changes, we are probably good enough to do that."

Ex-Worcester Warriors player Tim Collier, also part of coaching team that has guided Lions to safety with four wins from eight games, will remain involved but with less regular duties due to work commitments.

Meanwhile, Bournemouth let slip a 12-point half-time lead in a free-scoring 37-36 defeat at Old Redcliffians yesterday.

Three tries in eight first-half minutes from Grant Hancox, Adam Higgins and Jo Burns preceded Joe Gwyther's bonus-point try as Lions led 29-17 at the break.

But the home side forged ahead as captain Sam Cox bagged a brace with Jack Steer adding two conversions and two penalties. Scott Chislett's late try put the cat amongst the pigeons but White's men could not muster a winner.

"We didn't do ourselves any favours with two soft tries after the restart but showed good character and, generally, played very well," added White.

"Had there been two or three extra minutes on the clock we could have won but it wasn't to be."

Lions: Hancox, Fitch, Higgins, Chislett, Roberts, Gwyther, Hardcastle, Burns, Manning, Firetto, Warwick, Scott, Hennings, Smith, Rees. Replacements: Benham, Hatch, Yeats.