KNUTSFORD’S senior players will be trained by a rugby professional during the new season following their promotion to a higher level.

Blues have appointed Will Cliff, a scrum-half for Sale Sharks in the English Premiership, to their coaching team.

He will work alongside Chris Edmonds, a figure well-known to members.

Together they will prepare the first-team to make a step up to the North West Intermediate League’s Division Three South.

“It’s important we have a structure off the field that reflects the team’s aspirations,” said Tony Evans, Knutsford’s president.

“Will and Chris have coaching styles that are suited to each other, and they will look to maximise the enjoyment of both training and playing while improving the players’ skill-sets.

“The new arrangement represents a big step forward for the club and I think it improves our offer to existing players as well as prospective ones.”

Knutsford narrowly missed out on automatic promotion last season despite winning 17 of their 24 matches.

Instead Moore finished as runners-up in Division Four South to their neighbours Lymm fourths.

However a restructure created a vacancy Blues have since filled, meaning they have climbed a step on each of their two seasons since leaving the RFU’s Northern Division.

Evans said: “The first-team is going from strength to strength on the back of successive promotions.

“However Will and Chris have bought into our ambitions beyond them to reinvigorate the colts set-up and to create a pathway for juniors to progress into senior rugby.”

Knutsford have returned to training ahead of a new campaign, which starts in September.

For further details, call captain Sam Bensky 07920 848668.