WORLD Cup star Dodo Muntean was given a warm welcome after being unveiled as player/coach at Northwich Rugby Club by first team captain Richard Smith.
The Romanian World Cup fly-half, who played club rugby for Dinamo Bucharest, has lined up against Italy and also New Zealand A and brings a wealth of international experience to Mid Cheshire.
Chairman Sam Naylor said: “Hopefully he will add a different dimension to what we are trying to do here.
“He has arrived with his wife and his English is improving all the time. He will be able to get his points across and he will be working with the rugby club full time.
“He gave the squad a taster session a few weeks ago and he also tried his hand at rugby league with the Northwich Stags. He is fast and strong and is the kind of player we need.
“We haven’t been strong in the fly-half position since Gary Bell left the club, so being in such a pivotal position he will have a major say on how our backline plays.”
In addition to taking charge of first-team affairs, Muntean will also be heavily involved in the rugby club’s first rugby academy, which is due to start in September at Mid-Cheshire College.
“It’s something we have wanted to do for years,” added Naylor. “Hopefully we will be able to develop young players and get them playing at Northwich Rugby Club.”
Northwich’s squad will continue to have an international feel about it as two trialists from New Zealand and South Africa are in training, while the new coach may bring over a number of Romanian front-row forwards.
Home-grown captain Richard Smith is also returning to fitness and is expected to start the season after having reconstructive knee surgery.
