In a statement, chairman Karl O’Brien said: “On behalf of the club and myself we would like to thank Craig for his commitment to the senior teams and particularly helping the 1st XV achieve promotion last season, which has taken them into the National Leagues for the first time in their history.

“In the interim, Mikey Haywood who is currently the forwards coach will take charge until a full assessment of all coaching needs has taken place.”

Craig Burrows joined Colchester as head coach ahead of the 2022/3 season. After promotion last year, this campaign has been a challenging one, with the first team still looking for their first win after eight matches.

Mikey Haywood, whose rugby career started at Colchester as a youth player, returned to the club as an assistant to Craig Burrows at the start of the 2023 season after retiring as a player for Northampton Saints, where he played 269 matches in a 14-year spell for the Premiership club.

Karl O’Brien added: “Once again we would like to thank Craig for his time at the club and wish him all the very best for the future.”