A FORMER Worcester Warriors player has been named as the new forwards coach at Luctonians.

Mike Hill, who also played for Stourbridge and Birmingham Solihull, led Newport (Shropshire) to promotion in 2014/15 and is the Academy Forwards coach at Worcester.

"I'm really excited to come on board at Luctonians," said Hill.

"It's got great facilities and a young squad that wants to learn and progress which is always exciting from a coaching perspective.

"I look forward to seeing where we can take this group of players, by building on the great foundations that have previously been laid."

Hill joins head coach Ryan Watkins in the new-look coaching line-up at Mortimer Park.

Watkins joined Lucs as backs coach in 2014 and is the manager of the AASE programme at Worcester Warriors, a role he will continue to serve.

"I can't wait for the challenge and to keep this young squad moving forward," said Watkins.

"The biggest target for us will be consistency and improving each week.

"In my three years here we've had some great highs and also lows, but with the squad and the support around them we have this year there's no reason we can't push on."

"We are delighted to have in place our new team for next season in Ryan and Mike," said Luctonians chairman Simon Whiteman.

"They both bring great coaching knowledge and experience to the roles.

"For the club to have a pair of Level 4 coaches at our disposal is fantastic news for the development of our local home-grown players.

"It means the club continues in the same vein that it always has, in that it is about ensuring we invest our resources in providing the best coaching possible for players in the area.

"You will go a long way locally now, to find a better learning environment than the one that will be in place at Mortimer Park next season."

Meanwhile, former Luctonians player Ali Waugh will continue in his role as First XV manager, having taken over from David James last season.