TOM Coventry has resigned as Heach Coach of London Irish RFC.

The Exiles have confirmed Coventry has left the club by mutual agreement to return to his homeland, New Zealand, 'for family reasons'.

Coventry joined Irish last summer but the team endured a poor campaign in the Aviva Premiership and were relegated to the Championship.

A string of high-profile players have since left the club or retired, and Irish are now left searching for a new head coach as they attempt to rebuild their squad for next season.

Coventry said: “London Irish is in a good place to bounce immediately back into the top tier of English rugby.

"The club has recruited well with a sound balance of experience and youth supported by an excellent academy programme.

"I wish the club all the best in their future direction and drive for Premiership status.”

Coventry enjoyed a successful coaching career in Super Rugby with the Chiefs and internationally with Samoa.

But he failed to make the same impact at Irish as they finished bottom of the Aviva Premiership table last season.

The news comes only days after Irish announced Coventry's assistant coach, Richard Wiffin, had also left after 11 years due to cost-cutting measures caused by relegation.

London Irish Chief Executive Bob Casey said: "Having undertaken a review of the past season and taken time to consider its implications, and given his family situation, our discussions with Tom have resulted in agreement that it is in his best interests to return to New Zealand.

"On behalf of the Board and all associated with London Irish, we thank him for his efforts over the past season and wish him and his family well for the future.”

Irish received further bad news this week after key backs Alex Lewington and Theo Brophy-Clews both had surgery following serious injury.

Lewington is likely to miss the majority of next season, while Brophy-Clews will be sidelined for several months.

In addition, Exiles captain George Skivington, 33, was forced to retire from rugby this week due to a shoulder injury.

He became the fourth Exiles player to retire since the end of last season after Andrew Fenby, Tom Guest and Geoff Cross.

However, Irish have made one new signing this week with the arrival of former Exeter Chiefs loanee Jerry Sexton on a one-year permanent deal.