It may be out of season for rugby union but plenty of clubs are busy preparing for next term.

Three of last season’s London South-West sides – Tottonians, Trojans and Winchester – have reshuffled or replaced coaching staff.

Totts, the highest finishers of the trio, will have Gavin Williams in charge of coaching throughout the club to ensure continuity from youth to the firsts.

Experienced Bob Millard, who over the last 11 years has steered the club out of the Hampshire Leagues to become a force to be reckoned with at London level, is still coaching the backs and taking on a new role of preparing players for first and second team action.

Another level “Our aim is to step up to another level of rugby and I think we have the players to do that,” said Williams.

“We know we have some good colts coming through.”

The former soldier works for the RFU as a coach development officer and is currently a forwards coach with England women’s highly successful A side.

He has coached the Army Under-21s who went on to win two inter-service championships and has played for Wellingborough, the Army Air Corps, Andover, Tottonians and National Division 3 side Chinnor RFC.

Winchester’s Bill Mousley recently hung up his coaching boots after two seasons.

He has handed the reins over to former player Mike Marchant, who is having a second stint in charge of the firsts.

Marchant replaced Kevin Gregory as club coach when Winchester bowed out of London 1, but was unable to halt the slide and was himself replaced after Winchester suffered two further relegations.

The former Marine said: “With hindsight, I did a stupid thing taking over as coach.

“I realised Winchester were going down. It was a good side but we were playing at an unrealistic level.

Accountable “There are times when a coach is accountable for his side’s relegation, but not always responsible.”

Marchant moved on to Newbury where he has worked as a development coach ever since. He is currently involved with London Irish and Peter Symonds College, has worked with the Hampshire Under-20s and the England Under-19s and been part of the logistics team with the full England squad.

He added: “For the last six or seven years Winchester have suffered a steady decline that must now stop. I hope I am returning with a level of knowledge and understanding and a strategy that can help the club to achieve that.” He will be assisted by Andy Fields.

Another former Winchester coach, Barry Bridgman, has taken charge of Trojans as Pete Surtees bowed out in style with a view to emigrating to South Africa.

Bridgman, a former Nomads second row player, spent several seasons coaching Winchester and had a short stint at Petersfield.

He helped Surtees coach last season when Trojans earned promotion and won the Gales Hampshire Bowl.

Bridgman said: “Trojans have a very good squad of players and have an average age of 24 which is good for the future.”