Keith Fowles is new Shrewsbury coach

Former Stourbridge and Whitchurch prop Keith Fowles has been named as the new coach of Shrewsbury.

The 28-year-old will take charge of the Midlands Two outfit, aiming to improve on last season's long battle to avoid relegation.

Fowles began his rugby-playing career with Whitchurch before moving to join Stourbridge in the National League, where he also played for Worcester Academy.

He suffered a serious injury at the end of the 2008-9 campaign which required a knee reconstruction, but he returned to action at the end of last season when he played a handful of games for Whitchurch and Shropshire.

But now Fowles is keen to extend his coaching experience, indicating he will only play if he feels he is of benefit to the team.

"It's a challenge I'm looking forward to," said the trainee teacher.

"I have done some coaching at schools, North Midlands under-16s and under-18s and Wolverhampton and Harper Adams universities.

"We want to be pushing on next season and challenging in the top half of the table.

"The main aim for me is to get some of the talented young players at Shrewsbury, who have been successful in the colts teams, stepping up and playing in the first team."