FORMER England player Nick Easter is set to stay as director of rugby at Chinnor for the 2023/24 season.

The Oxfordshire side won eight of their 13 matches since Easter took the role in December, helping Chinnor to keep their place in National League 1 for a fifth campaign.

Easter played at three World Cups for England – in 2007, 2011 and 2015 – and has previously coached at Harlequins, Newcastle Falcons and Worcester Warriors.

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He said: “I’m delighted to stay for another year. I’ve only been here just over four months and I have thoroughly enjoyed it, so it’s great to have the opportunity to have a full season with a great group of guys at a really good rugby club that has made me feel welcome from day one.

“Everyone here is ready to muck in for each other and I think it is really important, whatever industry you are in, that you have those kind of people about.

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“The season hasn’t been void of roadblocks but together we have navigated our way through with a spirit of togetherness and resilience – players and staff have put their hands up and been willing to put their head above the parapet.

“It’s important in life to be surrounded by people like this and to be involved in an environment like it.

“To a man, I can’t fault the players’ appetite to want to learn however experienced or green they are.

“Every single one of them has come with a willingness to fight for each other and an intent and appetite to learn and get better, and their consistency in doing so is a joy to work with.

“Overall, I think the club is in a very strong footing from the number of teams the seniors can put out, the Wildboys and Colts winning their leagues, the amount of girls and women playing, alongside the activity that happens on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday – it’s a thriving club in a really good area.”

Club president Simon Vickers added: “I know that the squad and the rest of the club have been very impressed by the impact that Nick has had.

“He understands completely the particular challenges that a semi-pro squad face and the importance of whole club interaction.

“We are all very pleased that he has decided to extend his stay for a complete new season, so that he can continue to build on the foundations he has laid.”

Chinnor signed off their away campaign in style as they claimed just their second success in the last 10 years at Bishop’s Stortford.

The 34-26 win extended Chinnor’s good run of form to five victories in their last six games.