Canterbury's coaching team have been rewarded for the city club's good season in National 2 South with extended contracts.

Head coach Andy Pratt and forwards coach Matt Stewart steered the club to promotion from National 3 London & South East in their first year at the helm and have firmly established Canterbury in the middle of the pack in the higher division this term.

Pratt, 36, (pictured) is RFU Regional Development Officer for Kent while 39-year-old forwards coach Stewart won 34 international caps for Scotland while playing for Premiership side Northampton.

The duo - who began their playing careers with Canterbury - have already begun the recruiting process to strengthen the Merton Lane squad for next season.

Club chairman Giles Hilton said: "Andy and Matt have done a great job since they first teamed up last season and we are confident they will take the club forward.

"They both have their roots in Canterbury rugby, which I feel is important, and we are delighted they have agreed to carry on."