The squad will train every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday throughout July with the weekday sessions taking place at Eltham College (starting 7.15pm) and the Saturday sessions in the gym (9.30am).

“It’s massively important we start pre-season as we mean to carry on throughout the season – with real intensity and purpose,” Director of Rugby Gavin Lach said. “The Saturday sessions in the gym are not optional. Everyone will be tested and weighed, then the work will be split into two x 45 minute sessions for backs and forwards.

“Then on Monday at Eltham College, the players will work together and with a number of new faces, it’s important we gel quickly as a squad so we can hit the ground running once the season starts.”

The new look third team squad, under the guidance of managers Mike O’Connell and Ian Sutton, have already been working hard in the weekly conditioning camps held at the Queen Mary ground every Tuesday since May.

They will continue training at the Queen Mary ground on a Tuesday for the next two weeks before switching to Eltham College under the guidance of coach Mark Garratt on Tuesday, July 19th.

“I’ve been delighted with the effort the guys have put in so far at these fitness sessions every Tuesday,” said O’Connell. “It’s going to be a new look squad this season with a lot of young guys coming into the side so these sessions have been excellent in terms of building a really good team spirit and unity in preparation for the hard work to come.

“There’s a real buzz around the side at the moment, we are attracting a few former players back as well, and hopefully the momentum will continue to build once we get down to pre-season training properly at Eltham College.”