Old Penarthians RFC will kick off the new rugby season with their new coach Jake Thomas, a former Cardiff, Pontypridd and Merthyr back row.

They said: ''After 5 very busy coaching years, our club coaches Simon Hurley and Anthony Davies informed us recently that they felt the time was right for them to stand down and to allow fresh blood to come into the club to take it to the next stage.

''Their commitment and support for the club has never wavered throughout the many years that they have been involved and their efforts in getting the team promoted and establishing itself as promotion candidates in the last 2 seasons will never be forgotten.

''Not wanting to be caught napping at this time of uncertainty we were committed to identifying a new Head Coach as quickly as possible and as fate would have it within a few days of Simon and Anthony's decision an exciting young coach made himself available and we are delighted to announce that we have been able to secure his services to head up a new coaching line up.

''Our new Head Coach is the former Cardiff, Pontypridd and Merthyr back-row forward Jake Thomas.

''Jake is not only an excellent rugby player who has played at a very high level for many years; including age-grade for Wales, he is also a level 3 coach with extensive experience of regional age-grade and academy performance player development.

''Until recently, he was employed by the WRU as one of their regional Development Managers and has considerable experience of all aspects of Welsh rugby and rugby clubs.

''Jake will start with the club in June and will spend his time initially getting to know the players and bringing in additional coaching support to ensure that all players current and new will receive the very best coaching that modern players deserve.

''As a club, we are excited to have secured the services of such an exciting and talented young coach and look forward to working closely with him once the season eventually starts.''

The Old Pens have also announced that they have appointed their first-ever Director of Rugby.

Keri Lovell was, until recently, the Vale of Glamorgan Hub Officer for the WRU with special responsibility for developing rugby at all Penarth senior and primary schools.

He was particularly proud to have been awarded the National Hub Officers award for changing the women's game and also the National award for Coach Development in his first year in his role with the WRU.

He is currently the forwards' coach for the Cardiff Blues under 16's team and a qualified level three coach.

Prior to coming to South Wales, he was the head coach at Canterbury Christchurch University for their women's rugby teams, head coach at Gillingham Anchorians RFC and a Development Coach for England RFU.

The role will be an all-encompassing one with responsibility for overseeing the growth and development of all forms of rugby at the club from under-sixes through to seniors, veterans and ladies, and to include individual player development and player retention.

Keri has never lost his passion and commitment for rugby and as a club, we are sure that his enthusiasm, experience and drive will be a huge asset in enabling the club to grow and become ever more relevant to the local community.

Upon his appointment, Keri said, "Since moving to South Wales I have been amazed at the passion for rugby throughout the community and this is particularly so in Penarth. I hope in my new role at the Old Pens I will be able to give something back to a sport that has given so much to me over the years".

Old Pens said: ''Rugby as our national sport may well be under considerable stress at the moment but we at the Old Penarthians RFC have a clear vision of what we want to become and with our recent appointments we are sure the club will go from strength to strength.''