LUDLOW Rugby Club have started interviewing candidates for their vacant head coaches job, after their tumultuous season came to an abrupt end, losing 56-3 at county rivals Bridgnorth.

The team have been on a slide since Dave Irish was relieved of his coaching duties two months previously.

Irish’s exit sparked an exodus among senior players, and despite an increase in training numbers and some gutsy performances, Ludlow have finished the season shipping 126 points in three losses.

Now the club – who finished sixth in their first year back in Midlands Two West (North) – are looking for a fresh start, and expect to announce a new coach within two weeks.

“The sooner we can get a new head coach appointed, the better,” said club spokesman Phil Norton.

“There are two or three people to interview for the job.

“We are just looking for a coach who is motivated to stay in the league for the next 12 months.

“We need to start building to our future and doing justice to the great facilities we have got at the club.”

On Saturday, Will Sparrow was the only Ludlow player to trouble to scorers, however breaks from Mark Williams and Joe Doyle saw the away side come close as they started the game the stronger team.

Among those lining up against them was Darren Brick, who was Ludlow’s captain until leaving the club following Irish’s departure.

The former skipper, who was at the helm when Ludlow were relegated into the division last season, was replaced by several senior players sharing out the role.

Norton said: “The score was a little bit flattering to them.

“All the players that stayed have got stuck together and showed huge commitment in the last few games.

“Over Christmas we weren’t even training because numbers had dropped so low – now they are coming back up.”

Norton added that once a new head coach was in place it would open the door to players returning to the club, and help attract new talent to Ludlow.