Diss coach Phil Sharpe has left the club to take up a similar role at Lowestoft and Yarmouth, who play one step lower in the rugby union pyramid.

Sharpe has spent the last two years at Mackenders, playing a key role in establishing the club in London 1N, where they recently secured a solid eighth placed finish.

Now he has decided to take on a new challenge at Gunton Park, where he will be working alongside L&Y’s former Tongan international Dave Tiueti following the recent decision of Scott Nelson to step down from his coaching duties and focus on playing.

Lowestoft and Yarmouth had a disappointing season in London 2NE, only just avoiding relegation, and Sharp will be aiming to re-establish the club as a force at that level, just as he did with Diss in the league above.

A statement on the Lowestoft and Yarmouth website said: “The club are proud to appoint the hugely experienced and knowledgable coaching pair of Phil Sharpe and Dave Tiueti for the coming season and beyond.

“After a long selection process, the club is excited to be able to say they have secured the services of both the stand-out candidates to lead the club forward, creating what is probably the foremost coaching team in Eastern Counties.

“Their appointment marks a whole new phase in the club’s history. With the new Whole Club Charter Mark Accreditation, new regular girls teams, the first lady president (Yvonne Titterington) in Eastern Counties, an ever-improving youth and mini section, plans for a first ever local Rugby Academy and now a new ‘professional’ coaching team, L&Y is looking ahead with massive enthusiasm.

“Phil is ambitious to take the club higher in a long-term plan which includes strengthening the foundations of the club from the very bottom.

“A superb communicator, he is very focused on improving each individual player as well as educating the team.”

Sharpe will be the club’s head coach with Tiueti acting as his assistant, taking many of the coaching sessions while continuing to play.

Diss must now begin the task of identifying Sharpe’s successor.

“Diss are sorry to see him go, thank him for all he has done for the club and wish him well in his quest with his new club,” said secretary Norman Potter.