Unless you've been living under a rock you'll have seen the volley of re-signings and new signings announced by the Royals ahead of the 2023 season, and the coaching staff and committee have set big targets for 1st, 2nd and Women's XIIIs.

The annual season curtain raiser against Warwick University was sadly postponed this past Wednesday, and so instead the men's squad got together for a pint and presentation to give some of the new lads the opportunity to introduce themselves. We can't wait to get the rest of the new signings down to get their free pint off Pasky.

Meanwhile, Cliffy and the ladies had their second introductory taster session in the teeming rain, with a number of new players coming down to give league a try. We promise the weather will be better in the Summer! There's great confidence ahead of the upcoming league season for the ladies, and with 11 girls at a training session on a sodden pitch in the middle of March; we can't wait to see how many we get to training when it's 20+ degrees and sunny.

There's a great heritage of both men's and women's Rugby Union in the Midlands, and with the season finishing early this year why not take the opportunity to play some running rugby in the sunshine this Summer and give league a go.

There're set to be 1st and 2nd XIII games throughout the Summer and everyone is welcome. Get in touch to find out more - training starts 29th March at 7pm.

Listen out for Gats and Wheelman on the Rugby League Outsiders Podcast in a few weeks; rugby league in the Midlands is looking extremely competitive this year and growing the game can only help!

Toby Whelan