Weston Rugby Club has appointed Pete Sloman as their new head coach.

WESTON Rugby Club have revamped their coaching set-up with 11 matches still to play as they look to pull away from the National Three South West’s relegation zone, having won just three of their 15 league games this season.

Pete Sloman, a former Weston player and head coach, has been appointed head coach at least until the end of the current season. Sloman will oversee senior coaching at the club, including development of the colts squad.

“Everyone at the club knows that we face a big challenge if we are to avoid relegation, but it is one that the coaches and players are fully prepared to take head on,” said Sloman who has nearly 20 years coaching experience at club, county and regional level.

“I think that we have the resources at the club to achieve our goal, but it will only be achieved with hard work plus some consistency in our team selection and approach to the game.

“I am also keen to continue to develop our players through the club structure and, working with the club committee, aim to provide a much stronger transition between juniors and seniors.”

Former England prop Darren Crompton will continue as player/forwards coach and Chris Hurd as assistant coach with Paul Jones as fitness and conditioning coach, but Sloman has strengthened his backroom staff with two more part time coaches.

“We’d like to thank Darren and Chris for stepping into the breach while we considered the future coaching structure for the club,” said Weston’s chairman of rugby Gavin Simpson.

New Zealander Glenn Dickson, who had a spell with Weston a couple of seasons ago, returns to assist with training on Thursday evenings, having been released by Aviva Premiership leaders Northampton Saints last month (December).

Craig Hampson, a 23-year-old scrum-half with Bristol, takes over as backs coach. He has made three British & Irish Cup appearances and played in nine Greene King IPA Championship matches for the leaders.

Dickson, who previously played for Otago, made 14 appearances in his 15 months at Franklins Gardens and will make himself available for selection, prior to pursuing further playing opportunities in Japan.

Weston will be hoping to end a run of five league defeats on Saturday when they host Old Centralians, kick off 2.30pm, who are six places above and won 27-7 when the sides met in September at Painswick Road.