NORTHWICH Rugby Club have confirmed their new coach as Romanian World Cup star Dodo Muntean.

The fly-half, who joins the Moss Farm club as a player/coach, has lined up against Italy and also New Zealand A and brings a wealth of international experience to Mid Cheshire.

Having touched down at Manchester Airport on Monday evening, Muntean is expected to take charge of his first training session tomorrow night.

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.”

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.

In addition to taking charge of first-team affairs, Muntean will also be heavily involved in the rugby club’s first-ever 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.”