Local rugby circles have been rocked by developments at Cardigan RFC where a second director of rugby has departed in less than four months.

John Addis has been sacked after four games in League 2 West, the dismissal following the resignation of Nigel Smith because of what the club said were unforeseen circumstances.

After Smith’s decision to vacate the hot seat the club was anxious to appoint a successor before the start of the season and moved swiftly to bring in ex-Aberaeron head coach Jon Addis.

The 41-year-old former Welsh Youth and Abertillery second row came with impressive CVs having coached at junior and senior level in England and Wales.

He took the reins with club stalwart Mark Phillips, who has coached through from junior to senior level, as his assistant.

But after four league defeats on the trot when the team conceded 218 points and scored 40 the director of rugby was told on Monday of last week that the club was dispensing with his services forthwith.

Although it is understood that Addis was surprised and disappointed by the decision taken by the club committee and initially aired his views he later retracted them and said he wished to make no comment on the matter. There have been rumours that the coach has been offered a position with another club.

A Cardigan RFC spokesperson said “The decision to ask John to stand down had nothing to do with results but we felt he was not taking the club forward as we would like.

“We thank John for his contribution and wish him well for the future.”

Mark Phillips is the new head coach assisted by Dylan Davies as forwards player/coach and Iestyn Crompton as backs player/coach. The first game under the new set-up resulted in a 31-23 away defeat at the hands of Llanelli Wanderers on Saturday.