AFTER last season's flirtation with relegation from London 1 South, Tunbridge Wells Rugby Club will be hoping this campaign is a lot less stressful as they aim to build a platform for future prosperity.

However, with local rivals Tonbridge Juddians growing in stature and other clubs splashing the cash, Wells are under no illusions about how strong London 1 South will be this season.

It all gets underway for the St Mark's outfit on Sunday, with a trip to Sidcup in the Kent Cup, followed by the home league opener against Cobham on September 4.

New chairman of playing committee Jim Hendley, who used to be the club's chairman, outlined his hopes for the upcoming season.

"We will be looking to maintain our league position, which will be difficult with the clubs that have come into the league. TJs are doing what they are doing, which is down to them. We aren't going down that route and have an ethos where our club members have the opportunity to come through the ranks. We will have our university students and will call on them when necessary. There will be a number of players from the second team who will be part of the squad this season as well, and we have a good crop of young players coming through also.

"The season is starting even earlier this year, the ground will be very hard and we will just have to see how it goes. I think a lot of clubs will be seeing the Kent Cup game as a trial one."

New coach Jim Scully, who takes over from Paul Hathaway, is looking forward to the season starting and said spirits are high in the camp.

"The senior squad has changed significantly since last year, and now contains a great mix of youth, experience and overseas talent, including Kiwi Sam O'Leary, who recently arrived from Petone RFC to bolster the three-quarters.

"Turnout at pre-season training has been excellent and the lads are looking lean and sharp. Everyone is eager to get stuck into the season."

Scully's appointment is one of many changes that have taken place at the club over the summer.

James Gwinnett is no longer the first team captain, Iain Bartley has taken up the challenge and the team will be boosted by the arrival of another Kiwi in mid September, Tim Wells, who like O'Leary, is a back.

Highlights of pre-season for the club have included a session with former England captain Martin Corry, who will continue to assist with the coaching throughout the season, and an excellent team building session at Frant Lakes. The session culminated in a high diving competition into a very muddy lake in the gathering darkness of the evening.

Scully says the early signs are excellent and believes the team is buying into his rugby philosophy.

"The league will be very tough this year, with a number of teams boasting large, semi-pro squads," he said. "So the focus at Tunbridge Wells is to create a strong, motivated and fit squad of players and to work hard at evolving our rugby.

"The signs are excellent as the team takes on new ideas and strategies. With a long season ahead of us the key is consistent improvement, whilst we broaden the squad and most importantly, enjoy our rugby."

Wells train twice a week, from 7pm on Tuesday and Thursday, at St Mark's. The club are always on the lookout for new players, which would boost the set-up. Contact James Scully on james.scully@quadmod.com for more information.