Former Richmond coach Buster White insists the challenge of taking potential and moulding it in to sustained success was behind his decision to join Weybridge Vandals as forwards coach last week.

The 43-year-old former London Wasp and England B International left the Athletic Ground at the end of last season by mutual consent after the National Division Two side decided to tighten its belt in the current financial climate.

Vandals head coach Ian Bardgett, who has backed the move, led the club to the London Division Four South West title in April as his side lost just once during the entire campaign and scored more than 800 points in the process.

White, a long-time player and coach at west London National Division Two rivals Barnes, was credited with Richmond’s fourth-placed finish in their first season back at National League level under director of rugby Geoff Richards.

Weybridge will be his third club in three seasons, but he insists he is in it for the long haul.

“Having left Richmond I decided I wanted to join a club where I could progress my coaching career,” he said.

“Weybridge have a lot of potential and are very ambitious to progress - that was made very clear to me - and hopefully I can help them realise that ambiton.

“If I can bring a bit of steel to the forwards and maybe add 20 or 30 per cent to their game then that can make a big difference.

“I’m a loyal person. I was at Barnes a long time, I enjoyed that and have moved on. The same can be said about Richmond, but I’m at Weybridge now and am looking forward to contributing to the club’s continued success.”

Vandals - under the new management team - returned to pre-season training at Brownacres this week looking to build on last season, which saw them beat rivals Trojans to the title with a win at Old Wellingtonians on the final day of the league campaign.

But Bardgett insists the arrival of a new coach means the current squad will not be able to rely on their past glories when it comes to the start of the campaign.

“Buster will be coming here with a clean slate. I have deliberately kept my views on the players to myself, as I’m keen for him to see what we have here without any preconceived ideas,” he added.

“Of course we will disagree with selection, but that is healthy and his arrival is only going to improve competition for places throughout the club. He will bring a huge amount to the club.”