CHIPPENHAM have appoointed former Ireland A and England U21 player Andi Kyriakou as their new head coach.

Kyriakou takes over following the summer departure of Danny Thomas, heading up a senior coaching team of Shaun Williams and Jack Howden, supported by Rich Waddington and Rich Thomas for the 2nd XV’s.

Kyriacou impressed the club's director of rugby John Brown, having helped the club's coaching team on an ad hoc basis last season.

He played professionally as a hooker representing Saracens, Leeds Carnegie, Sale Sharks, Ulster Rugby and then went on to play for Cardiff Blues.

He was also called into the Ireland A Squad in 2009 having previously won England U21 honours earlier in his career.

Joining Cardiff Blues in 2012, Kyriakou suffered a back injury that required surgery, but was forced to retire from playing on medical advice.

Having studied part-time at Manchester Metropolitan University for a degree in sports science, he was then employed by Cardiff Blues as part of their coaching team to work alongside director of rugby Phil Davies as a forwards coach.

On the field, Chippenham's search for a first win since their return to National Three South West goes on after they were turned over by Old Redcliffians at Allington Field on Saturday.

A disappointing first half performance left Chippenham 20-5 down and, despite a fightback, they eventually succumbed 37-20.

Old Reds kicked an early penalty, then controlled the remainder of the half adding two tries, one of them being converted.

Chippenham regrouped again and finally managed to put some pace on the ball, with Andy Rossiter, Bobby Lyons, Matt Bye and Jack Hurring all making good ground, a dummy from Hurring seeing him burst over the line for a try.

However, Old Reds countered immediately with a swift attack that created a try on the stroke of half time.

Chippenham started the second half sharply, full back Tosh Titoko bashing through the midfield and leaving defenders sprawling.

Lyons broke off a scrum at speed and with a neat offload, found Owen Waters charging at pace and he scored in the corner.

Old Reds scored a further try but Chippenham came back with some brilliant interlinking between backs and forwards sending winger Matt Dickens over.

Despite losing Ben Riley to the sin-bin, Chippenham went on the attack and a sneaky chip ahead from Cameron Brown caused chaos in the Old Reds defence and a Dickens piled over for his second and Chippenham's bonus-point try.

Trailing by just five points, Chippenham had a chance, but Old Reds scored another converted score before adding a further try to seal their triumph.