Lutonians have announced that Canadian World Cup star James Pritchard has agreed to help out with the coaching at Newlands Road this season.

The 28-year-old Australian-born full-back, who plays his rugby for National League One outfit Bedford Blues, has gained his Level 1 and Level 2 RFU coaching awards in the past 12 months and will now assist with the backs coaching at Newlands Road on an occasional basis.

Pritchard, who played in both the 2003 and 2007 World Cups for Canada, has also played for Plymouth Albion, Prairie Fire in Canada and Perpignan in France.

He said: "When the chance to develop my coaching skills with an ambitious club like Luton was offered I jumped at it.

"Working as part of a coaching team with Denis Ormesher and Ian Minto, both of whom are Level 4 coaches, and with Matt Allen, who I know well from Bedford, will be great experience, and I am looking forward to doing all I can to help Luton this season."

Director of rugby Ormesher said: "Having a player of James' experience involved will be a great addition to Luton.

"His knowledge of what it takes to compete at the highest level will help to establish the winning focus we need at Luton.

"His time priority will be to Bedford Blues, but it was great that he was able to join us last week for a full day training session, on a free Saturday for the Blues, and led a really useful session on counter attack."