Former All Black and seasoned coach, Craig Newby, is set to return to Cambridge Rugby as the head coach, marking a significant turn in the team's strategic direction. Newby, who previously coached the team from 2013 to 2015 and led them through National League Two, brings a wealth of experience from his stints in Japan’s top rugby league and with renowned teams like Ulster and Ealing Trailfinders.

Newby’s illustrious playing career includes notable periods with Newcastle Falcons, Leicester Tigers, and a Sevens gold medal victory for New Zealand at the 2002 Commonwealth Games. This rich background positions him uniquely to infuse Cambridge Rugby with innovative strategies and a robust competitive spirit.

New Beginnings with a Vision Cambridge's chief operating officer, Rowland Winter, expressed enthusiasm about Newby’s return, highlighting the alignment of his goals with the club's aspirations. "Craig's drive and passion as a coach is infectious, and we feel that he shares the same values and goals as we do as a club," Winter noted.

Challenges Ahead Despite their promotion to the second tier of English rugby in 2023, Cambridge Rugby has struggled this season, currently placed at the bottom of the table with only three wins out of fifteen games. The departure of former director of rugby, Richie Williams, in December, followed by Anthony Allen’s interim leadership, sets the stage for Newby’s pivotal role in revitalizing the team.

With Newby officially taking up his role in May, all eyes will be on his strategies to harness the team’s potential and climb up the ranks. His previous success with The Blood and Sand during their National League Two days bodes well for Cambridge's ambitions under his guidance.