Former All Black Craig Newby is returning to Cambridge as the Championship club’s head coach.

The 45-year-old did the job from 2013 to 2105 when The Blood and Sand were in National League Two and has since coached in Japan’s top flight and had spells with Ulster and Ealing Trailfinders.

Newby, who appeared for Newcastle Falcons and Leicester Tigers during his playing career and won a Sevens gold medal for New Zealand at the 2002 Commonwealth Games, will take up his new role in May.

“We have tracked his development and progression over the last 10 years, and we look forward to welcoming him back to the club,” said Cambridge chief operating officer Rowland Winter.

“Craig’s drive and passion as a coach is infectious, and we feel that he shares the same values and goals as we do as a club.”

Cambridge won promotion to the second tier of English rugby in 2023 but are currently bottom of the table with three wins from 15 games played so far this season.

Former director of rugby Richie Williams left the club in December.

Since then, Anthony Allen has been interim head coach, assisted by forwards coach Neil Harris.