THORNBURY RFC have been handed a bombshell with head coach Gareth Llewellyn’s sudden departure from the club after six years at the helm.

Llewellyn has left to join the club with which he is most associated with during his playing career, Welsh Premiership outfit Neath.

The former Welsh international second row and captain is his country’s most capped forward with 92 appearances and joined Thornbury from junior side Tonmawr where he spent a year after ending his playing career.

That finished in 2008 after making 52 appearances for Bristol. Llewellyn, who works in the medical industry throughout Wales and the South West of England, will be succeeded at Thornbury by his assistant and another former Bristol ace Rob Higgitt.

More follows later ...