UPTON Rugby Club have appointed Ben Hughes as their new head coach.

The former Stourbridge captain has most recently coached Old Halesonians and brings a huge amount of rugby experience.

Previous Upton coach Oli Banwell has moved up to director of rugby and his first job was to find someone capable of moving the Old Street club forward.

Banwell said: "I've been involved at Upton in some form or another since it was founded in 1981 when I was five years old.

"This is the most excited I've been in that time as we have a man of Ben’s calibre coming to the club.

"Ben has played at such a high level but it was evident from my meetings with him he is really looking forward to putting something into the community and helping develop Upton."

Hughes' children are involved with Upton's mini-junior section but the link with ex-Old Hales and present Herefordshire and Worcestershire and North Midlands player Max Macfarlane helped bring him to the club.

Ex-first XV skipper Macfarlane returned to Upton in February and speaks highly of Hughes who also played for Birmingham and Solihull.

He will be assisted by Banwell, Macfarlane and Dan Keyte but Banwell explained there are more appointments to come.

He continued: "We have another player joining the club as well to assist with the coaching and this is what makes me excited.

"The team of coaches we have can only help develop the players."

Banwell is keen to strengthen the team as well.

He said: "We’ve lost a couple of players over the summer period for one reason or another so we are looking for new or returning players to be enticed by the arrival of Ben and his playing history."

Pre-season training starts on July 4 from 7pm until 9pm for the club who train on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

But first Upton will be running light touch rugby sessions this week and next Tuesday from 7pm until 8.30pm which will be ideal for anyone wanting to get back into the sport.

Banwell added: "It is vital for the club going forward the players make this commitment (to training).

"We hope the news of our new head coach will help bring players along and see what Upton have to offer."