It’s all change at the head of Bury St Edmunds rugby, with Jon Curry replacing Ollie Smith in the position of head coach (Pro-Am Head Coach).

Smith has taken the decision to stand down, due to the time and travel commitments involved in a role which he took over last summer.

Instead, former North Walsham coach Curry, who was most recently with Northampton Saints, will take over from Smith at the end of this month.

Bury are currently sitting in sixth position in National League Two South, in what is their third season at this level, following a home victory over Canterbury in their last outing last weekend.

They have no game this weekend.

Bury St Edmunds rugby club have released the following statement:

‘It is with regret that we announce that Ollie Smith will be stepping down from the role of Pro-Am head coach from the end of February.

‘The time and travel commitment required to fulfil the head coach role on a full time basis is such that Ollie has reluctantly made the decision to relinquish the position in order to be able to devote his time to his young family and other business interests.

‘He will be replaced by new head coach, former Northampton Saints academy coach Jon Curry.

‘Jon is no stranger to Bury having previously been an important member of the coaching team, only stepping aside when his coaching responsibilities at Saints were increased.

‘Joining him will be James Storey as Backs coach. Howard Parr continues as Wolfpack forwards coach.’

Meanwhile, Bury St Edmunds Pro-Am Performance Director, Terry Sands, explained: “We are obviously disappointed to bid farewell to Ollie but respect his decision to place his family first.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jon back to Bury, a huge opportunity for the club, only made possible following recent coaching changes at Northampton.

“Together, with James Storey as backs coach they will form a formidable team.”

Curry was a head coach at North Walsham for seven years, during a period which he guided the Norfolk club to National League status, while also working for Leicester Tigers as Norfolk elite player development coach.

He was also coach of the Spanish national team.

He was appointed the academy coach at Northamnpton Saints in July, 2012.

Sands added: “The club wishes to thank Ollie for all his efforts this season, stepping into the role at short notice over the summer and we wish him well for the future.”