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Knights “A” team raise standard

Having won the RFU North 2^nd team league at a canter last season, with too many games offering less than meaningful opposition, the Knights have withdrawn from that competition and set themselves an altogether greater challenge this coming season.

With a full time professional squad of 34 players, the need to provide meaningful and regular rugby for the whole squad, and full time management of it, has become critical.

With Steve Salvin appointed as full time “A” team Coach, and Dave Francis supporting him as team manager, a fixture list has been put together that will provide over 20 matches, many against the professional “A” teams of Premiership sides and, in another change of strategy, many on Monday nights. Castle Park’s floodlights will offer everyone the chance to see the likes of Sale, Newcastle, Worcester and Leeds as well as strong National One sides like Rotherham, Northampton, Moseley and Nottingham. These Monday evenings will also allow Knights’ management to see all the squad in action, making competition for Saturday places even more intense.

In addition to keeping the senior squad fully match fit, Steve Salvin will use the matches to give opportunities to younger players who are progressing through the new Academy structure being progressively put in place at Castle Park this season. A performance pathway for youth talent throughout the Club will ensure that talented youngsters are identified early and given every opportunity to develop on and off the field.

The opening “A” team match is at home on Monday 3^rd September against Northampton who, despite being in National One this season, will continue to play in the Guinness “A” league and will therefore immediately show the standard of such opposition. It is hoped that the town’s rugby community will find Monday evenings an attractive alternative to sitting in front of the box at home and will come out in force to enjoy what should be excellent entertainment at Castle Park!

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