Sandbach RUFC's Director of Rugby Andy Bird is pleased to announce that his coaching team is to be further enhanced, with the addition of former Sale Shark Tom Holmes to the setup, who will be focusing on the transition of players from the Mini Junior section, as well as assisting in senior training. Tom who came up through the ranks at Sandbach himself, was scouted by the Sharks at the age of 16, having played for England at age group level. He played in the Bach 1st XV briefly before signing professionally for the Premiership outfit and went on to play for England Under 20’s. Unfortunately, a severe ankle injury left him out of action for six months and as a result Tom left Sale and played at Sedgley Tigers, before resigning back to Sale in 2013.

In 2014 Holmes signed a permanent deal with Rotherham Titans and subsequently moved to fellow Championship outfit Nottingham RFC in 2016. Tom was Club Captain there for several seasons, with the big lock forward also recently coaching at Long Eaton RFC, where he has led them to promotion, winning the Midlands 2 East league and winning 21 out of 22 games. Tom is however returning home, where his wealth of experience and knowledge will be invaluable and give him the opportunity to coach and play with a few guys who he originally played with, when he first started out on his rugby journey.