IT’S all change at Pocklington RUFC, who have unveiled a re-shuffled captaincy and coaching group at the helm.

The new first team captain is scrum-half Ben Rees, who has been the joint vice-captain for the past two seasons.

The 27-year-old Woldgate College PE teacher, is a proud Welshman but his Pocklington roots go back more than a decade to his family moving to Millington when he was a teenager.

After turning out for Pocklington’s junior sides he played at Swansea University before following in the footsteps of his older brother and Wales Students cap, Sam, into the Pocklington scrum-half berth.

Since establishing himself in the first team his mixture of combative and creative have made him a key part of the side.

The new vice-captain pairing – the club always select two vice-captains – comprises Jack Holbrough, aged 24, and Matt Davies, 26.

Holbrough is the third generation of his family to play for Pocklington and has been the side’s leading try scorer for the past two seasons, equally adept at flanker or centre.

Davies, another product of the club’s mini and junior section, played for Loughborough University and Yorkshire Under-20s before returning home to cement his place in the Pocklington back row.

Richard Wilson will be in charge of training after stepping up to be club coach, while former captain Mat Webber is the new director of rugby.

Wilson, a former Pocklington junior who played National League rugby with Wakefield and Hull Ionians, won the Yorkshire Shield in 2000 with Pocklington and did a coaching stint at Selby.

He takes on the extra responsibilities after being assistant to Mick Watson for the past couple of years. Watson is taking a back seat due to increased work commitments.

Former coach Pat Holbrough, who himself had to step aside because of work a couple of years back, rejoins the coaching team and England Sevens captain, Rob Vickerman, will also be helping out when international duties allow.

Pocklington’s pre-season match programme will include a tasty Yorkshire Cup pipe-opener against higher league Bradford & Bingley at Percy Road after this season’s draw was made at the weekend.

The Pocklington clubhouse will again be open tomorrow and July 6 for the remaing British and Irish Lions’ tests against Australia.

Pre-season training for the 2013/14 campaign starts next Tuesday, with a short meeting in the Percy Road clubhouse at 7pm to outline plans for the summer before the session follows on at Kilnwick Park. Training will be every Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm.

All past, present and prospective players are welcome, including the junior colts (U17s) and colts (U19s).

Further details are available by phoning director of rugby Webber on 07812 922201.