WALES Under-19's coach David Rees has quit his coaching role at Cross Keys after "six very enjoyable years" in charge.

Assistant coach Geraint Jones and team manager David Thomas are expected to follow, either by resigning or by Keys releasing them to employ a new team.

Rees cited his Wales coaching duties, new family priorities, and a greater workload as the reasons for quitting.

But he says he intends to return to club management in the future. "There are no hard feelings between me and the club. I just felt after talking to the management it was time to move on," said Rees.

"It's a day of sadness. Cross Keys RFC have been a great part of my life for the past six years and I have some great memories.

"It's been exceptionally enjoyable, going from one place away from Division Two to be champions, breaking all club records and seeing some great young players come through.

"It's been a pleasure working with the players, my fellow coaches and the club management team and I'd like to thank them all for their commitment. "I wish the players left behind the best and apologise that when they signed contracts I hadn't indicated I might be leaving.

"If they keep their camaraderie together they will do well in the First Division next season."

Rees added: "My decision is for a number of reasons. The primary ones are that my personal and professional circumstances have changed considerably over the past year.

"I now have a young family and I've taken a new job (assistant general manager operations at Coleg Gwent's Nash campus) with more commitments.

"Coupled with that, I have been asked to carry on with the Wales Under 19s for another year so I feel it may be time for someone else to take the club further."