STAND-IN skipper Haydn Brockhurst leads Corsham into their Dorset & Wilts Division 1 campaign this weekend.

New captain Rory Auld has yet to play this season after the recurrence of a back problem during pre-season.

Centre Auld is likely to be out until the end of October, at the very least, leaving the fly-half to take the helm of a side relegated from Southern Counties South last season.

Openside Andrew Redgwell, a recent recruit from the RAF, will make his league debut at Trowbridge, as will Army hooker 'Percy' Thrower.

Corsham are starting the new league campaign without front row man Wes Newsome this season he has moved over the road to South West Division 2 East outfit Chippenham plus veteran back row men Rich Morea, Paul Frankcom and Nev Smith, all injured and contemplating a step-down from first-team rugby.

The club policy, though, is to bring on young blood, and to that end, Corsham are looking for a stronger season from their second string.

Said Brockhurst: "It's crucial that we have a stronger and more successful second team, with players actually pushing for places in the first team.

"That hasn't been the case over the past couple of seasons and if players show the desire, we are looking to identify that and see them challenge."

The second string will again compete in Division 2 of the Bath Combination 2nd XV Merit Table.

Bristol Shoguns hooker Neil McCarthy is now in his third season of coaching and will be assisted by Tim Unwin and a number of the club's senior players.

After a summer of track work, overseen by McCarthy, the first team have produced a solid showing in their pre-season games, defeating Bath side Stothert & Pitt 41-22 and Calne, one of the Southern Counties South newcomers, 31-7 last Saturday.

The club are always on the lookout for new recruits and anyone interested should pop along to training on either Monday or Thursday night.

Anyone wanting further details should contact Brockhurst on 01249 715474.