Carlisle rugby club is looking for a new head coach after Gary Hewer stood down.

West Cumbrian Hewer, from a rugby league background, had switched codes five years ago when first taking on the role at Warwick Road.

Carlisle have just been relegated from North one West and will be playing in North Lancs Cumbria next season.

But they also had to contend with serious flooding issues which did wholesale damage and left Carlisle having to play home games away from Warwick Road.

On leaving, Hewer said: “It has been a difficult season for a variety of reasons, but overall I have enjoyed my time at the club.

“The club has given me the opportunity to establish myself on the coaching circuit, including County Coaching at a senior level, but all things come to a natural end and it’s time to leave Carlisle.

“I thank the club, the coaches who have stayed loyal, namely Colin Jackson and Geoff Grieves and importantly the many players over my tenure.

"I wish the club well for the future in the rebuilding process both on and off the field. I will look back with fond memories.”

The club say the decision was by mutual consent and has extended best wishes to the departing coach for the future.

Carlisle run three senior men’s teams, an established women’s team, a highly successful colts side and an extremely large and flourishing junior section.

The club has already advertised for a new head coach who will have principal responsibility for coaching and match preparation of the senior squad.

They have not ruled out a player coach because the advert states the new man may also be an integral member of the senior playing team.

In a statement, Carlisle RUFC said: “Player development will be an essential part of the required skill base as the club seeks to introduce a sustainable player development strategy from junior to senior rugby.

“Carlisle first team will be playing in the North Lancs and Cumbria league next season after experiencing relegation following several successful seasons in North 1 West.

“The successful applicant will be looked upon to implement a three year development plan with an emphasis on player development and the creation of a lasting coach development strategy for the club building upon the good work that has been done in recent years with the ultimate aim of improved senior sides results and performance.

“The new head coach will be a pivotal member of the club’s management team and will be required to work both at a strategic and tactical level, playing a vital role in the delivery of short, medium and longer term objectives of one of the biggest rugby union clubs in Cumbria.

“Applicants should be enthusiastic about working in a team/club environment and continually improving their coaching skills and the club will be prepared to support this.”

Closing date for applications is May 27.

Gary Hewer is part of the coaching team with the Cumbria County Shield side which has it all to do tomorrow at Aspatria to stay on course for a return to Twickenham.

A 38-27 defeat at Mansfield against Notts, Lincs and Derby means that their final pool game with Staffordshire will decide who goes through to the semi-finals.

They now need a four try bonus point win to top the three team qualifying league and earn a home tie in the semi-final.

Although dominant for long periods of the first-half at Mansfield, the Cumbrians actually turned round 22-5 in arrears – which soon became 32-5 and Twickenham seemed a million miles away.

But Cumbria rallied and Workington’s Scott Rooke added to his first-half try with a second, while there were scores for Penrith’s Kris Bratton and club-mate Ryan Johnson, along with Aspatria’s Gary Hodgson.

Sadly Cumbria managed only one conversion in the whole game and the points missed by kicks could have made all the difference.

Cumbria were holding a second training session last night at Aspatria but the squad is likely to be on similar lines to the Mansfield game.

No players from Kirkby Lonsdale or St. Benedict’s are available as both have matches. Kirkby Lonsdale take-on Morley in a promotion play-off clash while champions St Benedict’s finish-off their North Lancs Cumbria season at Aldwinians.

Meanwhile, Whitehaven won through to the Cumbria Cup final with a last gasp 29-28 win over Silloth in the semi-final.

They will meet town rivals St Benedict’s in the first-ever all-Whitehaven final. Because of the unique flavour of the occasion, Whitehaven Rugby League club has offered to stage the final on Tuesday, May 24.

The date has been confirmed but the venue has still to be announced by the county RFU.