MINEHEAD Barbarians' head coach Mick Orton has described last season's spate of injuries as 'awful.'

Orton, who stepped down from the job a year ago but has been re-appointed, said this week: "Jack (Claydon) had a lot to deal with last season - it was just unfortunate he had so many injuries in his first season in charge - and to key players.

"I'm sure the side would have done much better had he not had these problems. It's something I hope we don't get next season.

"I haven't really talked to the players yet but I'm hoping most of them will be staying. We also have to bring on the youngsters - we've got some good young players.

"I had one or two things to concentrate on last season, particularly with my business, but after Christmas I had more time to get involved in rugby. In fact I've never been away really."

The club announced last week that Orton would be returning as head coach, saying in a statement: "Mick has played a major role in the success of the club in recent years and even during his brief time away has been a regular at the club, assisting with coaching the colts' team towards the end of last season.

"As well as taking on the head coach role, Mick will also be the Coaching Co-ordinator at the club working with DoR Richard Parsons, to ensure we have a system of play through the club which is similar throughout all age groups - men's rugby and ladies' rugby."

The club statement added: "Particular focus will be on the transition of junior rugby into senior rugby; we are hoping to run the senior and colts' training alongside one another on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, which will enable some of the senior players to pass on knowledge and skills to the next generation coming though the ranks."