WIVELISCOMBE Rugby Club have approved a budget to approach a new coach to replace Peter and Brian Stone, who have stepped down from their joint roles.

“We’ve had some interest and we’ve been speaking to the RFU with regard to finding the right candidate,” said the club’s director of rugby, Jake Sharland.

The club are also having to find a new chairman to replace Gary Sharland and a member has come forward to say he is interested in the job. The new chairman will be chosen at the club’s annual meeting on Friday, July 24.

This may take the form of a Zoom meeting if two metres distancing is still in place.

If the season starts late this will favour Wiveliscombe, who are again playing in Western Counties West, as some of the players are not available early on because of their jobs.

The 1st XV’s aim will be to field a more settled side and to win more of their tight matches.