CHIPPENHAM RFC have appointed John ‘Topper’ Brown as their new director of rugby for the 2015/16 season.

Brown arrives at Allington Field with a wealth of knowledge, having held the same position at local rivals Swindon.

The club identified the need for somebody to coordinate the playing and coaching of rugby throughout the club in its strategy review in 2013 and has taken time and care to appoint the right person.

With a successful 2014/15 campaign drawing to a close following the first-team’s promotion to National South West Three, Brown has already began preparing for next season.

Brown said: “Whilst it was a tug to leave my home club of Swindon, the opportunity to lead Chippenham was too big to miss.

“Chippenham are already, in my opinion, one of the leading community clubs in the South West and I believe that I can work with the existing players and coaches to add value and assist in taking the club to a new level.”

Chippenham chairman Ian Beswick added: “Topper is the ideal choice as director of rugby for our community club.

“He is already very experienced in the world of rugby and well known at Chippenham, having led the development squad to a national final only three years ago.

“We are very excited at this appointment and believe it will trigger a greater degree of integration across all playing age groups.”