OLD Otliensians' new coach Kris Stafford and his team are happy with the way pre-season training is going with high numbers attending each week.

A number of new players have joined the club to boost a squad that won the Yorkshire Silver Trophy and Aire-Wharfe Cup last season.

The pack will be boosted by the arrival of former Otley flanker Joe Armitage and front row Tom Howard from West Park Leeds.

Former Yarnbury stalwart Carl Patterson has been recruited from Skipton and will do some development coaching with promising young fly half Will Cooper.

Former first team centre Tobias Gill has re-joined the squad after missing four years through work commitments.

John Oakes has joined the backroom team from Bradford Grammar School as the attacking coach and will bring a wealth of experience to the team’s attacking strategy.

Stafford said: "We are lucky to have a talented group of players to work with, but with the extra strength from the new recruits, we have depth and experience in key positions.

"The players have adapted well to the new style of attacking rugby and I’m confident we’ll have some exciting rugby on display this season.

"It would be great to get more local support this season to move us out of Yorkshire Thred and push us through an exciting National Vase run.

"New players are very welcome and we encourage then to get in touch if they would like to be involved.”

Otliensians will play in the Roundhegians 10s tournament on Thursday, April 10.

Their next warm up game will be at home to Roundhegians on August 17 before visiting West Park Leeds on Friday, August 25.

Friday 25th August – West Park away KO 7 pm