Cheltenham North’s new head coach Simanu Lupematasila will be leading from the front this season.

The 36-year-old has taken over from Dan Thomas, who is the club’s new rugby development officer, but Lupematasila, a number 8, will continue to be a major influence on the field as well as off it.

“I’m still going to play,” he told The Local Answer. “I want to be out there on the pitch with the boys, I’m still going to train hard, I’m still going to play hard.”

Lupematasila is a strong running, tough tackling back row and the North’s supporters can expect his team to play in the same way as they look ahead to the new campaign.

They finished second in Counties 2 Gloucestershire North last season but 2025/26 promises to be tougher in the newly-formed Counties 2 Gloucestershire.

The 12-strong division includes the best teams from last season’s Counties 2 Gloucestershire North and South and Lupematasila admitted: “It’s not going to be easy but I want to get the boys into the top two again, certainly the top three or four.

“All the lads will know their roles, forwards and backs. I want to get the boys going but I want them to have fun.

“We’re going to play 15-man rugby from the first minute to the last, there will be plenty of running rugby.”

And when he says 15-man rugby, he means 15-man rugby.

“One of the aims this season is to have fewer yellow cards,” he said.

Lupematasila, who lives in Bishop’s Cleeve, was the club’s player/coach last season and he is certainly ready for the extra responsibility that comes with his new role.

“It’s a good position for me,” he said. “Cheltenham North are a great club, they are a family club, everyone is very welcoming.”