Esher have completed a major coup in signing former British and Irish Lions centre Ollie Smith and Toulon lock Kris Chesney.
Smith and Chesney handed the reins
Esher have completed a major coup in signing former British and Irish Lions centre Ollie Smith and Toulon second row Kris Chesney.
Smith, who made his name at Leicester before moving to Harlequins, has agreed to become head coach at the National One outfit, with former Saracens lock Chesney to serve as his assistant.
Smith, whose time at Quins was dogged by injury, had helped coach the Esher backs last season but he steps up to replace Mike Schmid, who was appointed the club's chief executive following their relegation from the Championship.
Smith, who toured with the Lions in 2005, said: "This is a special club and I am hugely excited about what lies ahead."
Chesney will make the switch to Esher at the end of his involvement in the Top 14 play-offs with Toulon, with the 38-year-old have turned down the chance to remain in France.
Chesney said: "'It's a club I've always had a high regard for, and having decided to come back to the UK at the end of this season, despite offers to remain in France, it's a great place for me to resume my career in England and also help take the club forward."
