Newby looking for 'character' to push Cambridge forward

Craig Newby has coached in Japan's top flight and had spells with Ulster and Ealing Trailfinders

Cambridge head coach Craig Newby is prioritising "character over talent" as he looks to plot a way to improved results by the Champ Rugby club.

The Blood and Sand won promotion to the second tier in 2023 but have finished bottom in the two seasons since then, winning only five out of 42 league games.

Newby, who previously held the head coach job from 2013 to 2015, replaces Anthony Allen, who was interim boss for the second half of last season and has now joined the coaching staff at Leicester Tigers.

"I've spent a lot of time in the last two, three months, looking observing, talking to people, questioning, planning and finding out where this club wants to go to and how we're going to get there," the New Zealander told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

"Everything we're doing is around the type of person you are, it's not a blanket rule but we're pretty much looking at character over talent.

"Everyone in this building will have talent, but if you're not willing to fight for your team-mate, if you're not willing to care for your club and not willing to push yourself, then this place isn't going to be for you."

The former All Black took up his new role at the beginning of May and work has been going on to strengthen the squad for next season, when the expanded league will feature 14 teams.

Chris Mills became the club's latest signing on Tuesday, following fellow back rows Arthur Thomas and Dan Eckersley, fly-half Jamie Annand, centre Levi Reweti, hooker Dylan Irvine, lock Rhys Fulford and number eight Sam Asotasi.

Newby, who won a Sevens gold medal for New Zealand at the 2002 Commonwealth Games, said the new season would provide an opportunity for the squad to "grow as a group of people".

He added: "It's a tough competition, the Champ, it's got harder with Worcester and Richmond (added). Everyone's going to be faster, stronger, it's going to be a challenge and we need to get things off the field right as well.

"(But) We can't just be all about work, it has to be about balance and finding time to share time with each other and families.

"They're the two areas we're going to be looking at, changing the way we train and prepare for our rugby so our players have a chance to be competitive on a Saturday and culturally and environment-wise we're going to have a big push on how we work together and how we enjoy ourselves."