Welsh winger Pete Davies is looking forward to a new challenge after leaving Oxford Harlequins to rejoin Henley Hawks.

Davies, 32, was at Henley from 1998 to 2005 as they climbed the leagues to reach National 1 and is relishing the chance to help halt their recent slide.

The Cherwell School teacher said: "I wanted an exciting new challenge. That's the key for me.

"I always wanted to go back to Henley. This is my last opportunity to go back there as a player.

"With a new management team in place, that provided me with the opportunity to do so.

"I played over 150 first-team games when I was there before and had lots of success.

"They have got excellent support and infrastructure.

"I want to help get the club back to where they should be, which is at least National 2."

Davies joined Quins, with whom he won the Oxfordshire Cup twice, in 2006 after a season at Newbury.

"I loved my time at Quins, I want to make that really clear," he said.

"The supporters are a great bunch. It is a really welcoming club with a great family atmosphere."

Davies said Henley, under director of rugby Jason Forster, were ambitious for the new season.

But big-spending London Scottish and Ealing were definitely the promotion favourites.

Scrum half Anthony Cope, who captained Quins last season, has been training with Newbury this summer, hoping to make his way at the National 1 club.

Quins prop/lock James Eckert is considering an approach to join Chinnor.

FORMER Oxford University captain Brian Smith has been appointed England's new attack coach.

Smith, who led the Dark Blues in 1989, was London Irish's director of rugby before getting the call from England team manager Martin Johnson.

Johnson described the former Australia and Ireland international as "a top attack coach".

"I'm sure he will be a real asset to us," he added.

Smith said:"The opportunity to coach at international level comes along rarely in one's career, so I'm looking forward to my new position with England, it's an exciting time to be involved."

Meanwhile, ex-Dark Blues Ali James and Andy Dalgleish have joined the influx of players heading for big-spending National 3 South side Ealing.

The ambitious Londoners have already signed James Winterbottom and Dinos Alexipoulos from Henley Hawks.