In-demand Nick Easter makes a decision on his future

Former England No.8 Nick Easter has rejected the chance to work elsewhere to continue in his role as Director of Rugby at ambitious Champ Rugby outfit Chinnor.

Easter has signed on at Kingsey Road for at least one more season and will be hoping to build on the strong foundations put in place this year.

The Oxfordshire club have punched well above their weight to sit sixth out of 14 in the Champ Rugby table, above the likes of full-time Doncaster and established seocnd-tier clubs such as Nottingham.

Easter, who combines the role with his work as defence coach of the USA, has caught the eye of several suitors higher up the rugby ladder, including his former club Harlequins, who are on the lookout for both a forwards coach and a new head coach.

Meanwhile, the 47-year-old, who won 54 caps for England between 2007 and 2015, has also been heavily linked with the Edinburgh defence coach job.

However, his ambitions to coach at a higher level have been put on hold for now, following his decision to extend his stay at Chinnor.

”I’m delighted to be signing on at Chinnor and continuing to be part of a great club and it’s journey,” said Easter.

“There were other exciting opportunities on offer which I am hugely grateful for but in the end I put a lot of thought into the people in an establishment and at Chinnor they are some of the best I have worked with in rugby, they also make me feel valued and trusted in what I do.

“Alongside this, the club have ambition which is also important, something which has shone through on and off the field as we continue to grow sustainably in a hot bed of rugby.”

In announcing the good news, Chinnor CEO Simon Vickers put out a statement detailing the level of ambition of the club.

“The Board are delighted to be able to announce that Nick Easter will be with us again next season. Quite clearly, he has been pivotal in our success in our debut and second seasons. Whilst there are a few games remaining, we will undoubtedly finish higher than we did last season with a target of top six,” the statement on the club’s official website began.

“In addition, we will shortly be announcing quite significant off-field improvements to our Club the likes of which have probably not been seen in the championship in the last 20 or 30 years.

“These are exciting times for Chinnor as we seek to rebrand our first team, expand our reach, increase our spectators and enlarge our sponsorship. We will of course remain a semi-professional side where all our players rely on external jobs for most of their earnings. We are also run by volunteers whose assistance has been valued for many years.

“We continue to enlarge our community outreach hub in order that we can increase our work with underprivileged children from disadvantaged backgrounds and those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

“We intend to maintain and enhance our amateur sides of 5 teams including a women’s side along with our 600 minis and juniors’ players. We are also starting a development side providing a clear pathway to the 1st team.

“It is most gratifying that Nick Easter shares our vision and is helping us on our journey to become a highly sustainable high performing Champ side as well as remaining a cornerstone for local amateur rugby and a valuable Community Hub

“We look forward to sharing the very exciting news with you soon.”