NEWPORT RFC are advertising for a new head coach for next season after confirming that David Rees' role as Newport Gwent Dragons skills coach will be full time next season.

Rees, in Australia with the Wales Commonwealth Games sevens squad, has combined the Newport and Dragons jobs for the past three seasons and is also Wales Under-21s assistant coach.

In his first season at Newport after joining from Cross Keys he took them to the inaugural Welsh Premier Division championship and they finished runners-up last season.

"David has been an integral part of the Dragons coaching set-up," said rugby manager Jim McCreedy, "and we wanted to place his responsibilities as skills coach and assistant backs coach on a full time basis from the beginning of next season.

"I think it's fair comment to say also that it has been very difficult for him to try to juggle his Dragons duties with being head coach of a top Welsh Premier side and his other involvements.

"We are obviously delighted with the job he has done for us to date."

Newport chairman Will Godfrey said: "We have enjoyed working with David whose work has always been professional and forward thinking.

"We wish him well in his enhanced Dragons role and are certain he will bring a lot to them.

"When he joined us it was because he wanted to enhance his coaching career and now there is that chance for someone else.

"We have an open mind about a successor but anticipate someone coming in with experience who has cut his teeth elsewhere."