After 515 days without a game, senior rugby is back at Leicester Road on Thursday evening (5th August) with an inter-club fixture taking place to give the squad some organised game time before the pre-season fixtures against Loughborough Students on the 14th August.

There will be 44 players on show, including a mixture of experienced first team players such as captain Alex Salt, former captain Matthew Fearn, veteran back Josh Smith and leading points scorer in the last three years Joe Wilson, as well as some really promising young talent, such as second row Adam Groocock, the Staghounds captain Harry Bower, U20s winger Shaun Hubbard and the 19/20 Colts captain Dan Johnson.

Also on show will be a number of our new additions to the squad, including Chris Arnold from Oadby Wyggs, Corey Venus from Esher and Nems Rayabo and Josh Raqio (both Nuneaton).

The fact we can run out 44 players for this fixture is a huge credit to the players and their commitment to the club, in particular as the following, recognisable names to the Leicester Road faithful are all unavailable for various reason, mainly due to holidays and slight injuries which are being managed into the start of the season: Luke Coltman, David Peck, Ben Marshall, Henry Povoas, Ollie Povoas, Ben Pointon, Dylan Weddle, Joe Glover, Tom Wheatcroft, Adam Nunney and Mitch Lamb.

The squads for the fixture as follows – the game will be 30 minute halves and refereed by National Panel official, George Richardson. Kick Off is 7.45pm

Team Branson: Wilson, S Hubbard, Lane, Marsden, Rayabo, Vowles, Raqio; Harper, A Johnson, Greening, Weaver, Arnold, Fearn, Clayton, Branson ©. Reps: Sutton, Deacon, Mumford, Jordan, Walker, Bartlett, Norris

Team Salt: Venus, Farrell, Nixon, Smith, L Hubbard, Rowe, Leonard; Bresland, Bowyer, Harvey, Groocock, Moreton, Parker, Bower, Salt ©. Reps: Farthing, L Johnson, Dowell, Sanderson, Burgess, D Johnson, Masserella.