AIDEN TAYLOR has taken on a coaching role at Devonport Services for the 2025-26 South West Premier campaign.

The hooker has been confirmed as the club’s new forwards coach, replacing fellow front-rower Rikki Bentham, who will just concentrate on playing again next season.

“Rikki has just taken a step back,” said head coach Ben Russell. “He didn’t want to carry on as he’s got too much on with his work and stuff.

“Aiden was available, and he fancied it.”

Taylor was previously a player-coach at Plymstock Oaks before moving to the Rectory.

Services are now back in training ahead of returning to the South West Premier after one season in National League rugby.

“We have done just over a week of training, and it has gone well,” said Russell.

“It’s good to get back into the swing of things.”

On how the squad is shaping up for the new season, Russell added: “We hope to have a couple (of new players) coming in and I think we have pretty much retained everybody, although you never know for sure until the start of the season.”

Services will open the new campaign with a home game against Sidmouth on September 6 before visiting Royal Wootton Bassett the following week.

They will warm-up for the new campaign with pre-season matches against Plymstock Oaks, Saltash and Ivybridge in August.