COLCHESTER Rugby Club have made a high-profile signing, with Premiership stalwart Mike Haywood joining his old club as forwards coach from the start of next season, writes EDWARD MARRIAGE.

Southend-born Haywood, who started his rugby career at Colchester while part of the Northampton Saints academy, went on to play 269 matches at hooker with the Franklin’s Gardens side, scoring 34 tries.

After announcing his retirement from the Saints earlier this month, 31-year-old Haywood will join the staff of the renowned rugby school St Joseph’s College in Ipswich.

From next season he will also help coach the forwards at Colchester, but for the time being he will not be available to play.

He said: “I always wanted ultimately to move back home at the end of my playing career.

“And the opportunity arose for me at St Joseph’s which felt too good to turn down.”

Haywood made his senior debut for Northampton Saints in 2011 and was their top try scorer in the 2016/17 season.

He started in both the victorious Premiership Rugby and European Challenge Cup finals in 2014, as well as the win over Leicester Tigers in that year’s Premiership semi-final.

In the summer of 2016, Haywood was named in the Premiership Dream Team after a string of impressive performances, during the 2015/16 season.

The appointment was welcomed by Colchester head coach Craig Burrows.

“Mikey is going to be a very big part of our coaching team next season," said Burrows.

“We’re looking forward to seeing what he is going to bring us.

“Fourteen years in the Premiership, he brings a lot of experience. We’re all very excited about it.”

President Maggie Whiteman said Colchester RFC was greatly looking forward to welcoming Mikey to his home club.