THE men at the helm of the Forest’s leading rugby clubs have both stepped down from their roles as director of rugby at Cinderford and Lydney.

Nic Corrigan and Duncan Bell have both left their respective clubs ’by mutual consent’ as both sides are in contrasting situations.

Corrigan leaves Cinderford taking responsibilty for the club’s poor form.

The Foresters have won two games from 11 games this season, and slipped to the bottom of National League One following a 38-13 loss at home to Coventry.

The ex-Cheshire RFC man leaves Cinderford 11 months after signing a two-year contract extension in January, having joined the club as a coaching consultant last November.

A statement from Cinderford RFC said the club’s management board ’agree that Nic should step down’.

“The club is sad that Nic has, by mutual consent, stepped down from the role of director of rugby.” said chairman Rob Worgan.

“We would like to thank him for the work that he has done for the club, especially guiding the team to a great end of season run in 2014-15; a run that ensured our survival in National One. We wish him all the best in his future career.”

“I am obviously extremely saddened to be leaving this club and the role,” Corrigan said.

“As I have always said, I ultimately accept and take responsibility for the team’s performance and we have not delivered the results we all hoped for during the first eleven rounds of National One.

“I took on the role in difficult circumstances and it has been a huge challenge to transition the team with many hurdles along the way both on and off the pitch.

“I would like to thank the players, coaches, and supporters for their commitment, and hard work in my time as director of rugby. It has been an honour to coach this club.”