Stourbridge building for a bright future

The Stourton Park outfit begin their National League North campaign at home to Loughborough Students with director of rugby Neil Mitchell acknowledging expectations are low.

But Mitchell, who is entering his 16th season at the club, believes the long-term future could be bright due to the closer links which have built with Stourbridge Lions during a close season restructure.

Though the clubs officially remain separate entities, both are now training together with Mitchell at the helm.

He said: “It’s quite an exciting move and something I believe needed to happen.

“For the past three or four seasons it feels like we have been stuck in the same cycle and something had to change.

“The link-up with the Lions gives me a larger talent pool and there is an opportunity to cross pollinate the teams.

“There are only two divisions between them. Players currently with the Lions will get their chance to impress, while anyone in the senior team who are not quite hitting the mark might have to take a step down.

“With anything like this there are going to be teething problems and issues along the away. But as a club, we had to change.”

The Lions, who play in Midlands One West, begin their season away at Kenilworth.

Mitchell said: “The aim for both teams is to stay in their respective leagues.

“Of course you start every season with the aim of winning the league, otherwise there is no point.

“But there is also a realism that after such significant change, flaws may become apparent. One thing I am expecting is for the teams to get better as the season goes on.”

New faces in the senior team include No.8 Jack Collingham, who has joined from South Leicester.

The most high-profile addition is centre Max Stelling, who has made more than 30 appearances in the Premiership for Worcester.