WHEN Bicester RFC advertised during the summer for a new senior coach, they can scarcely have expected to acquire the services of a national coach - plus an international player into the bargain.

Yet this is exactly what has happened. One of those to answer the advertisement was Themba Muliswa, who although still only 28 has already coached Zambia, and is the current director of coaching and development in his home country of Zimbabwe.

And Muliswa has brought with him athletic back-row forward Mordekai Mwerenga, who has won 22 caps for Zimbabwe and was in the side beaten narrowly by Namibia in a qualifier for the Rugby World Cup.

But why did Muliswa, who has also coached Eton College and Marlow in his time, apply for the Bicester job, when a job in the professional ranks would appear to be at his beck and call?

"I wanted to be involved with a smaller club, where players can actually enjoy their rugby," he explained. "It's all too serious at the senior clubs. "The potential here at Bicester is great. There is a strong youth section, which is so important for clubs at this level. However, without paying players, the only way for them to hang on to their young talent is to gain promotion."

Muliswa has rubbed shoulders with the greats. He played in the same Wasps under 21 back row as England captain Lawrence Dallaglio, before a serious ankle injury ended his playing career.

One of the reasons he has come to England is to meet up with South Africa's World Cup-winning captain Francois Pienaar.

"We are good friends and he is helping me to set up a rugby academy in Zimbabwe," said this unassuming man in a black suit and a Bicester club tie.

Muliswa has committed himself to Bicester until the end of the season, as has Mwerenga, who is lodging with the coach in Luton while studying in England.

Nicknamed Buru - which means Bull as he always used to charge round at school - Mwerenga is an outstanding talent who dominated the 60-0 win over Wallingford on Sunday. Like all the players under Muliswa's regime, Mwerenga must attend training on Thursday nights to get into the starting line-up on Saturdays.

"For many years Bicester have tried this but without success," said sidelined 1st XV captain Chris Nash.

"However, due to the number of young and enthusiastic players that are available, this is now a reality and causes a refreshing problem of who to select on a Saturday afternoon.

"And that's all down to Themba."

Story date: Wednesday 13 October

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.