Cinderford Rugby have appointed Old Patesians' coach Lee Fortey as assistant to new head coach Phil Greenaway, writes Will Wood.

Greenaway was handed the reins earlier this week after former coach Mark Cornwell departed to take an increased role at Gloucester.

After helping guide Pats to fourth in South West One last season, two levels below the Foresters, former Gloucester prop Fortey is looking forward to making the step up.

"It is a little bit of a step up in terms of the level they play at, but from a personal point of view it will help me out as my development and test me a bit more and hopefully bring out the best in me," Fortey said.

"With Mark being there for the last two years he has done a great job, so I will have to try my best to match those standards.

"I am confident in my own ability and in what I can do."

The 34-year-old will lend his expertise to the Cinderford pack, which was often the springboard to success last season in their first outing at National Two level.

Cinderford finished fifth at the end of their first campaign in the third tier of English rugby and Fortey will do his best to improve that.

"I am quite looking forward to the challenge and I know a few of the players there as well," he said.

"I like to think I can help with the set piece area and the forwards.

"It is all about enjoyment and developing the rugby and if we do that then it will help."

Cinderford's commercial manager Matt Bayliss said the club were delighted Fortey had joined them.

"We were disappointed that Mark Cornwell had to go and was promoted at Gloucester, but it is an opportunity for Lee to coach at a first division club and get experience there and he will benefit from that," he said.

Meanwhile wing/full-back James Copsey has returned home to London after four years away and joined Esher, who welcome Cinderford in the second match of the season on September 12.