WHITCHURCH Rugby Club has stepped up preparations for the new season with several key appointments.

Former first team captain Jake Rees will serve as player coach next season and succeeds Scott Sturdy at the helm.

Meanwhile the departure of long serving captain Jonathan Cope sees Danny Nicholas elected as captain with Joe Mullock and Jack Furnival serving as vice captains.

A club spokesman said: “We wish Scott all the best in his new role at Hereford RFC and thank him for the past six years.

“Jonathan Cope passes on the captaincy after two years of excellent service which saw consecutive fourth place finishes but we’ll see him back in the number six shirt covering every blade of the Edgeley Road turf next season.

“The club’s new captain and vice captains are a group of players who have been part of the club for a combined 35 years and represent all that is great about our club.”

Meanwhile it has been confirmed the club will compete the division one of the Midlands League (West) next season alongside Kenilworth, Droitwich, Hereford, Lichfield, Ludlow, Malvern, Newbold, Old Halesonians, Stoke, Stratford, Sutton Coldfield, Wolverhampton and Worcester.