Cumbria League and Cup double winners Silloth Tigers have announced a change in coaching staff in preparation for the 2015/16 season.

Mark Orchard photo Mark Orchard The Tigers won promotion to the North Lancs Cumbria league under head coach Mark Orchard who has now taken on the role of Director of Rugby at the club.

A new coaching team, made up of Rodney Morton, Phillip Scott, Darren Irwin and Jamie Baxter will now work under the guidance of Orchard.

Orchard is also working closely with his former coach at Netherhall, Carl Phillips, whose knowledge will be passed on in an advisory role to help setup specialist coaching sessions in preparations for the Tigers’ season-opening game away to Ashton-Under-Lyme.

“There’s a lot going on behind the scenes at the moment and we’re doing what we think is best to move the club forward,” Orchard said. “There is a limited number of experienced coaches in the county, so we’re doing the same as a lot of other clubs have done and working with our own experienced players to form a coaching team.

“Wigton are doing a similar thing this season, as did Aspatria with Mike Scott and Workington with Dan Bowman in previous years.

“Irwin and Morton are very experienced and will be working with forwards and backs respectively while Scott and Baxter have a great understanding of the modern game and will take the a lead on match days.

“We have also called on the services of ex-Silloth player Carl Phillips who, I believe, is the best technical coach this county has.

“He will be advising and working on specialist coaching sessions in pre-season.

“Recruitment has also started and we have added two new players to our squad with more to come.”