Jim McKay is taking over from Tony Macarthur as Henley Hawks' director of rugby.

Macarthur has been Henley's director of rugby for the past five years and it is acknowledged that the club owe him a great debt, for he was the inspiration for much of the progress achieved as the Hawks climbed through the leagues to their position in the top 20 of English clubs.

Last season he became a director of ERP (the English Rugby Partnership) and this has led to him being offered a number of opportunities on a full-time basis. He expects to announce his new appointment shortly.

McKay, who was appointed director of coaching last season, is now to combine these duties with those of director of rugby.

But he will continue to work with Nigel Dudding, who has been the coach of the Hawks during their years of achievement, in a hands-on capacity.

Hawks second team, which is now to be known as the Hawks Alliance XV, will have Henley stalwart Danny Batty as their backs coach while Chris Wright, formerly at Tabard, will be looking after the forwards. There is an urgent need for a team manager for this side.

Hawks' 2001-2002 season in National Division 1 opens with a home fixture against London Welsh on September 1. Hawks expect to have most of last year's squad available for the new campaign.

However, in addition to the retirement of Willie Phillips, second row Jerry Sampson, who has been one of the most consistent performers at lock over the past five years, has announced that he can no longer devote the time necessary to fill a position in the second row at National 1 level on a regular basis.

He will be sorely missed as will the dynamic Duncan Roke who has accepted a full-time contract with Hawks' league rivals Worcester.

Worcester are again aiming for promotion, having lost out in the run-in for the title for the last three seasons.

It seems likely that fly-half Matt Jones will miss out for the first half of the season because of professional examinations.

McKay is also expecting the younger members of last year's squad to fulfill their potential rather then rely on talent from elsewhere.

"I will be looking for players like James Street (back row), Guy Gavan (backrow/ lock) and Dan Smaje(scrum-half) to play an important part in building a successful team in the coming season, " he said.