Chippenham Rugby Club will be looking to their youth squad to fill the void as three key players have left the team this summer.

Scrum half Tim Dunford retired from rugby after the Bath Combination Cup final last season, but he will still be involved in the club.

Andy Davey has also left Chippenham.

The number eight has had to move away due to work commitments.

Full-back David Spiers has also left to study at Manchester University.

This has concerned team coach Rob Alford.

He said: "While all of these players will be missed it is the departure of Spiers that concerns the coaching team the most. He was our top try scorer and by the end of the season, had become our most consistent goal kicker."

The main concern to Alford is the injury to Captain Rupert Crockett. He damaged his knee in last season's cup final.

He has been receiving intense treatment and is waiting to see a specialist

Alford is pleased with the youngsters that are coming up into the first team.

He said: "The club has great expectations for scrum-half Ryan Surry, Daniel Shuker, who can play anywhere in the back row, and Simon Drage, who can play a dual role as either a prop or hooker."

The main ambition this season for Alford and his assistants is to continue the introduction of youth in the senior teams whilst maintaining their current league status.

Alford said: "The main contenders for the league will be ourselves, Abbey and Swanage and Wareham.

"While I think that we are a season away from making a serious challenge for the title, experience tells me that everyone in this league is capable of causing an upset.

"Consistency is the key to success, and defending the Bath Combination Cup is a must."

There have been many changes to the coaching staff at Chippenham this summer.

John Rumble and Stuart King will be coaching the forwards while Tony Audis and ex-scrum-half Tim Dunford will be coaching the backs.

Mark Coombs will be taking the scrummaging practice.

Alford said: "My main objective is to put in place a coaching structure that can take the club forward without the financial burden associated with external recruitment."