Martyn Beaumont says Canterbury Rugby Club will ‘plough on’ to the end of the season despite head coach Nicky Little being relieved of his duties.

The Fijian international legend took over at the Marine Travel Ground, Merton Lane, in the wake of Andy Pratt’s departure last summer. However, he departed in the lead-up to Saturday’s 7-5 defeat at home to Redruth, which left the city club in the National 2 South drop-zone.

Skipper Beaunont will join assistant coach Chris Hinkins and forwards coach Darren Molloy to guide Canterbury through their final eight games of the season and, he hopes, to safety.

Beaumont said: “We have just got to plough on for eight weeks. We are fighting for survival so we can’t afford to focus about what’s going on off the field.

“We have to admit it’s not been the greatest of seasons. I got a call on Saturday morning to say Nicky was not going to be at the game. There was a meeting earlier this week and I don’t think he’s coming back.”

He added: “It was Nicky’s first real venture into coaching and he probably found it difficult, although I’ve said all along that I loved his game-plan, it just hasn’t worked out.

"The club have taken the decision to try and save the season, although, in truth, the timing was probably not the best.”

Canterbury travel to bottom club Launceston on Saturday.