Two additional player coaches are joining the team at Oaklands with Rob Dugard joining from Barnstaple in a forwards capacity and Bevan Armitage (backs coach) also being welcomed on board .

After a season away from the club that he had driven to promotion ,seeing it through it’s first term in South West 1 and the most successful period in it’s history. Gaz is welcomed back to maintain the momentum of the 2017-18 season; one that under the guidance of Martin Harrison-Browne ,saw the Okes finish 5th – the highest league position the club has ever achieved .

Regrettably Martin will not be at Oaklands next season, but all at ORFC will thank him for his passionate contribution . Martin is a very, very fine rugby player and his commitment on the field of play throughout the 2017-18 season was a very significant and contributory factor in the clubs lofty position in South West 1 and will be missed .

ORFC have recognised that to maintain and improve their current standing, improvement and expansion of the coaching structure is needed to help develop what is still largely a young squad, with an encouraging pool of home grown talent pulling through from a vibrant youth section and a Colts squad waiting in the wings .

The focus on developing home grown talent has brought it’s just rewards in recent years with 90% + of the current senior squads all coming through the Junior and Colts sections. The progression of talent is evident with three players – Richard Barrington (Saracens) , Billy Searle (Wasps) and Marcus Garrett (Wasps) – all with Premiership clubs having gone through the ORFC Youth and Colts groups . The new Coaching group will have responsibility to liaise with and develop the coaches of the junior section.

The Player /Coaching announcements together with the completion of the extensive pitch improvement project – at last completed after 2 challenging years – and the commencement of the grand stand refurbishment all points to a new season to be looked forward to with relish .

Pre-season games have been confirmed with both Exmouth and Exeter University with pre-season training starting during the first week of July .