A New Season, One Senior Men’s Squad
After a long pre-season, extended by the delayed start to the league campaign, it’s exciting to have league rugby back at the Paddock. Since coming together in June, we have been installing our game model and layering detail into every area of our play. At the same time, we have been building the conditioning and physical robustness needed for demanding league campaigns across our 1st, 2nd and 3rd XVs.
That commitment has been clear at training, where we have regularly had 50 to 60 players working together. There is strong, healthy competition for places, and players move between our three XVs as they push one another to improve. We are one senior men’s squad, working towards our squad objectives and raising standards across every side.
It has been great to see so many players return from last season, alongside new arrivals, Academy graduates and players coming back from university. We are still working to bring in a couple more players in specific positions as the season gets under way. Our pre-season fixtures have helped us develop our understanding of one another and test our game model in match conditions. There is no substitute for league rugby, and I’m looking forward to seeing how we respond to that challenge today.
I believe there is huge potential in this group. The season ahead will bring its tests, and we will learn plenty along the way. That is part of what makes it exciting: seeing how far we can go together.
Olly Green begins the season as our new captain. He has the respect of the squad and will lead by example. I also want to thank Scotty for the outstanding job he has done as captain over the past two seasons. He remains one of our most important leaders, and his experience and voice will continue to mean a great deal to this group.
Our 2nd and 3rd XVs begin their league campaigns today too, away at Beccehamian and Gravesend. I wish both sides well.
Thank you to our coaches, medical team, volunteers and sponsors for everything they have done to get us to this point. And thank you to everyone here supporting us today. The Paddock is a special place on a matchday. Your support and noise lift the players, and we are looking forward to playing in front of you.
Enjoy the match, and come on you Oaks!
Adam Bowman
Director of Rugby
