A CHANCE meeting and shared love of rugby has led to Whitchurch making a huge appointment just ahead of the new season.

Former Welsh international and British Lions star Andy Powell will serve as the Midlands League side's head coach this season and will be in the dug out when the Reds host Old Edwardians on Saturday.

Chairman Dave Tudor said: "Sometimes you just can't believe your luck.

"A chance meeting and a chat about rugby and I just said we were looking for new coach.

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"His reply was "I'm not doing anything this year" and then met later on over a beer and he decided to come.

"This is a big lift for the club as we have some tough games this year in West Midlands League Two, starting at home to Old Edwardians on Saturday with a 3pm kick off."

Powell led his first training session in midweek as players met the former Wales star for the first time.

Powell played for both the Wales sevens team, and the Wales national rugby union team as well as touring with the British and Irish Lions.

Powell made headlines in 2010 when he was arrested "for taking and driving away a golf buggy" a few hours after the Welsh team's last-minute victory over Scotland in their 2010 Six Nations match.

He was arrested near Junction 33 on the M4 motorway and was removed from the Welsh squad for behaviour "contrary to the squad's code of conduct".

Born in Brecon, Powell attended Llandovery College, and played as an amateur for both Llandovery and in Halifax before a four year spell at Newport was followed by stints at Leicester Tigers,  French club AS Béziers Hérault and Llanelli Scarlets.

Powell enjoyed five years with Cardiff Blues and spells at Wasps and Sale before winding down his club career at Newport Gwent Dragons in 2015.