Tavistock’s coaching set-up of Hammy Kerswill, James Reyburn and Darren Chappell

MOUNT Kelly College’s James Reyburn has been appointed as Tavistock RFC’s new director of rugby.

The former Harlequins and Saracens academy coach, who was involved with Devon under-16s last term and is Mount Kelly’s head of rugby, will work alongside Hammy Kerswill, who is staying on his role as Tavistock’s player-coach.

Scrum specialist Darren Chapple has also formally joined the Tavistock backroom set-up as an assistant coach.

Tavistock have restructured after Will Reed, who had been assisting Kerswill, retired after countless years with the club at the end of the season.

Simon Fuller has also been appointed Tavistock’s new colts coach after Adrian Cameron joined Plymouth Argaum as their new head coach.

“We thank Adrian for his time and effort spent with the colts last season,” said Kerswill.

Meanwhile, the Sandy Park club are looking to strengthen their first team for the new season.

They are set to lose a couple of key players to newly-promoted South West One side Devonport Services, including Mark Friend.

Services say the versatile Friend has not actually signed for them yet, but it is expected he will do so after years of loyal service to Tavistock.

Friend came up through Tavistock’s junior set-up with the likes of Dom Connor, Keir Murphy and Dan Luffman, who have all gone on to play at a higher level. Cornwall player Connor is currently training with the Cornish Pirates after a couple of seasons impressing for Brixham.

Tavistock, though, have a new set of youngsters coming through their colts.

Jasper Cameron, Ed Nettleship and Jack Easton have all been formally added to the senior squad for this coming season.

They are also set to welcome back Jack Glover after a lengthy absence due to injury.

The club will officially start pre-season at Mount Kelly College on Tuesday, July 10, at 7pm.

“We welcome any new faces of any age or ability to join us,” said Kerswill. “If anyone would like more information or has any enquiries they should contact me at hammykerswill@hotmail.com or visit us at http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/tavistock.”

Meanwhile, Tavistock are also busy trying to fund new showers for referees for the upcoming season.

They are currently bidding for a Calor Rural Community Fund and need votes to become a finalist. They would welcome any votes at https://www.calor.co.uk/communityfund/referees-showers