One-time Gloucester and London Irish prop Harry Elrington has joined Chris Raymond’s coaching team at Old Patesians.

The 31-year-old has taken on the role of forwards coach and has already been involved in the Counties 2 Gloucestershire club’s pre-season training sessions.

Raymond has certainly been busy since being named head coach at the start of the month because he has also appointed Doug Simpson as his backs coach.

Elrington, who retired from playing last year, was forwards coach with London Irish Wild Geese in National 2 South for two years a few seasons ago, while Simpson, a former Old Patesians player, has coached at Newent.

“We’ve built a coaching team that combines proven experience, current insight and fresh energy ready to challenge and inspire players loyal to the Pats,” said Raymond, who enjoyed great success as player/head coach with the Pats back in the early noughties. 

“Harry and Doug may be early in their coaching journey, but I can already see that they bring real energy, ambition and a drive to learn and push boundaries this season.

“It’s also refreshing to know that each of us have the attributes capable of taking the lead in any given situation, training or match.”

Elrington has a wealth of playing experience having played for London Irish for six years before his move to Gloucester in 2021.

He played around 150 games for the two clubs, winning the Premiership Cup with Gloucester and two Championships with London Irish.

He was also called up to the England squad ahead of the final Autumn Nations Series fixture against reigning world champions South Africa in 2021.

Simpson, meanwhile, played primarily as a centre for the Pats having started in the club’s youth set-up at the age of eight. He played senior rugby at the club for five years before injury cut short his playing career while he was in his mid-20s.

He then moved straight into coaching and was backs coach at Newent for three years, a period which also saw him serve as interim head coach, and was part of the coaching team that guided unbeaten Newent to the Regional 2 Midlands West title last season.

The Pats are looking to make an impact in the newly formed Counties 2 Gloucestershire this season and Raymond said: “We’re clear on the brand of rugby we want to play this season, and while that takes time to build, the attitude and commitment shown so far has been first class. 

“If the squad keeps turning up with that same hunger and focus, we’ll fast-track our progress. 

“The challenge now is simple… keep raising standards, keep expectations high and watch how far we can go together.”

The Pats start the new league season with a trip to Dursley on Saturday 6^th September.