Big blow for Jersey RFC as they lose Forwards coach Steve Boden

Jersey RFC have confirmed the departure of their Forwards Coach Steve Boden at the end of this current season.

Boden, who has been with Jersey for the past four seasons, will be released from the final year of his current contract and is set to take up a coaching role at one of his former clubs, Yorkshire Carnegie.

He has been a huge influence on the club, helping to create one of the most dominant packs in the Championship.

However the way in which the deal was concluded has been criticised by the club's chairman, Bill Dempsey.

Dempsey confirmed that the club had not been contacted in the lead up to discussions between the Leeds club and the coach.

He went on to say that Boden has done brilliantly by the club but that the club had also done well by him.

The departure of the man behind Jersey's pack, who have been such a big factor in the Reds good results this year, also has implications for new players arriving at the club, as well as those who renewed their contracts for next season.

But Dempsey says it is too late for anybody to change their minds at this point but that they should not be worried because the club will continue to be the same, with the same style of play and the same mentality that brought them so much success this season.

Boden joined the Reds, initially as a hooker, in 2012 following spells with Leeds and Doncaster he then quickly moved on to a coaching position.

Jersey will face Yorkshire Carnegie in their very last game of the regular season at St Peter on April 23, depending on this weekend's results it could turn out to be a make or brake game, with a play-off place in the balance for Jersey.