The Nuns start the new campaign in Regional 1 Midlands tomorrow when Bromsgrove visit Liberty Way. Having achieved the goal of promotion last season they now have the task of re-establishing themselves as a Level 5 club. Bromsgrove will be a stern test of this having finished last season 3rd in the league with 15 wins from their 22 matches. Preseason has gone well with two wins over Wrexham (61-19) and Walsall (43-11) and with a settled squad the side can embrace the challenge of a higher league with some confidence from last year.

The Saxons travel to Bedworth as they start their Counties 3 Midlands West (East) campaign. They lost to Atherstone in a friendly last week (38-26) but a new and young side showed plenty of potential and spirit as they develop over the coming weeks.

The Colts host Old Laurentians RFC as they start their league tomorrow at 3pm. Last weekend they visited the Brecon Beacons for a team bonding weekend ahead of the new season.

Team news: Jack Iles starts at prop for the first time having come up from the Colts last season and joins Louis Addleton and Ben Dawes. Ben Haywood makes his first league start in over a year having recovered well throughout last season from a knee injury, he partners Captain Tom Aherne. James Lloyd, George Wallis and Martin Wood make up the back row.

In the back line, again there is a similar look to last season. Unfortunately, last season’s top points scorer, Lucas Brindley broke his thumb in the Walsall game which will see him spend a spell on the sideline. Tom Smitham and Joe Wilson are at half backs with Tom Eales and Ryan Preston lining up in the centre. Travis Bennett-Allcock and Tak Chawadya are on the wings and Ben Kirby switches to full back.

New signing Ryan Marsh, Nick Walton and Harry Beverley make up the bench.

Squad to play Bromsgrove RFC, Home 3pm:

1 Jack Iles*
2 Louis Addleton
3 Ben Dawes
4 Ben Haywood
5 Tom Aherne*
6 James Lloyd
7 George Wallis*
8 Martin Wood
9 Tom Smitham*
10 Joe Wilson*
11 Travis Bennett-Allcock*
12 Tom Eales
13 Ryan Preston
14 Tak Chawadya
15 Ben Kirby

16 Ryan Marsh
17 Nick Walton
18 Harry Beverley*

*Nuneaton RFC Pathway Players

Saxons V Bedworth RFC, away 3pm:

Tyler Freeman*, Ryan Evans*, Steve Orton, Dave Darker*, Chris Smith, Ben Powell, Thor Sidhu*, Rhys Astin*, Oli Mitchell*, Blessed Gurajena, Jamie Coburn*, Marcus Holt*, Charlie Smith*, Josh Wright, Lewis Cox*, Scott Cawley, Ben Gilbert*, Lachan Pollock*, Rich Johnston, Ben Stewart*

Regional 1 Midlands Round 1 Fixtures:

Bridgnorth V Dudley Kingswinford
Silhillians V Kenilworth
Stourbridge V Long Eaton
Syston V Burton
Banbury V Derby
Nuneaton V Bromsgrove