KENILWORTH RFC have appointed former Wasps full-back Rob Miller to the first team coaching staff on a consultancy basis until the end of the season.
The club currently sit bottom of the Regional 1 Midlands table and have lost all 12 of their matches this campaign.
Miller’s appointment comes as part of a wider reorganisation of the men’s coaching section at the club.
Head coach Jon Lowdon reverts to his previous role as skills coach working alongside backs coach Todd Freemantle and forwards coach Lewis Hall.
Kenilworth’s director of rugby, Jamie Peacock, will become more involved in the coaching of the first team until the end of the season, until a new head coach is appointed.
Peacock said: “This has been a tough season for the club, not helped by losing some very senior and exceptionally gifted Kenilworth players – whether that’s to retirement, injury or moving away from the area.
“But we can never make excuses, and while these things tend to be cyclical, it’s clear that our results and performances have been short of where we need them to be.
“It is therefore very important – and especially so given these circumstances – to look for opportunities and competitive edges wherever we can get them, and I think that is what someone like Rob Miller provides for us.
“It is a great credit to Jon’s character, and clear evidence of his commitment to this club, and to these players, that he wants to be part of a different approach that helps us through to the end of the season.”
Former Wasps full-back Miller made over 100 appearances for the club. That came after a four-season stint with Sale Sharks.
The 35-year-old is a former England under-20 international and played more than 200 Premiership games during his career. He scored over 500 points in the top-flight as a reliable goal kicker.
Miller, who previously coached Nuneaton Old Edwardians and the Midlands Academy, said: “I know it has been a tough season for Kenilworth in a tough league – but everyone I have spoken to at the club has been transparent about the challenge in front of us.
“I am just keen to add value where I can.
“There are certainly some promising players at the club who are playing at a good level, so I’m looking forward to working with them, hopefully improving them, and I am happy to share my experience and knowledge of the game where I can.
“As long as I am not put on scrums and lineouts, the rest will be fine.”
Peacock added: “I watched Rob a lot during his time at Sale Sharks and he was consistently a top performer in a strong side.
“The link to him came about through chance – we share some friends in Manchester, so as I soon as I heard he was in this area, and potentially available, I was very keen to chat to him.
“Adding someone with Rob’s experience and knowledge into the mix here is a coup for us.
“We are delighted to have him as part of the coaching set up, and I think he will inspire our players.
“We have several young, promising backs who will benefit hugely from his expertise, across all areas of their game, and having a voice like his in our coaching group can only benefit all of us.”
Kenilworth travel to Derby on Saturday, January 11 with kick-off at 2.15pm at Haslams Lane.
