FORMER Bath club captain Stuart Hooper has taken up a new role at the club after being appointed performance and player development director.

Hooper was forced to retire towards the back end of last season due to injury but the club had always stated their intention to keep him involved in their off-the-field set-up.

Hooper will work closely with new director of rugby Todd Blackadder in running the performance functions of the rugby department, including oversight of the academy, and in developing the club’s leadership programme.

The 34-year-old will also support head coach Tabai Matson with elements of coaching focused on player skills development.

Hooper said: “This is an incredibly exciting role for me. Whilst it’s very different from the weekly role of a professional rugby player, I am absolutely relishing it.

"This role will enable me to help shape the culture and performance of the Club over the long term which is great.”

Meanwhile, the club have also confirmed the appointment of Andy Rock to the role academy manager following the departure of Danny Grewcock last season.

Rock arrives at Bath with an excellent reputation for spotting and bringing on young players.

He was appointed to academy director at Yorkshire Carnegie in 2014, having previously run the AASE scheme at Prince Henry’s Grammar School in Otley, Yorkshire. Under his leadership, the school reached the AASE League Final in the same year.

Rock will run the Bath Rugby Academy, including the development of its long-term plan, and will work closely with Hooper to enhance the integration of the academy programme with the senior team.

Rock will be supported by current assistant academy Managers Barry Maddocks and George Tavner, who will continue their responsibility for the senior academy training programme and EDPG training programme respectively.

Rock said: “I’m really looking forward to getting started at Bath, and continuing to build on the fantastic work that Danny Grewcock, Barry and George have already done.

“The academy is full of promising young players. I’m excited about helping to build the pipeline of home grown talent for the long term development of our senior team, as well as helping youngsters across all age groups to unlock their talent.”