Fast start more important than ever as Perthshire limber up for new rugby season

Perthshire Rugby Club has been putting in the hard yards in preparation for the new season.

The men’s first XV will again be playing in the National League Division 3 but, as current plans stand, due to restructuring, six or seven teams are set to be relegated.

That means there is certainly no room for a slow start, something head coach Alan Clark is all too aware of.

Having now completed three weeks of pre-season, he said: “It’s hugely important for us to get out of the blocks fast this season. With that in mind we’ve spent time as a group planning our overall approach.

“Conditioning is obviously a key part of that and the guys have worked incredibly hard since the end of last season.

“However, the biggest plus for us as a coaching team is the shift in mindset from the players. There’s a real belief in what they can achieve which is incredibly exciting to see.”

First XV captain Mat Rae has been encouraged by pre-season so far and believes the 2022/23 season could see something special from the Eagles.

“This year we’ve definitely hit the ground running with pre-season,” he said.

“The lads have all kept fit during the off season and it means we have progressed our skills and techniques much faster than previous years.

“Our coaches and new director of rugby are doing an amazing job with training and the lads are on board doing an incredible job pushing themselves to do better every session.

“We have huge ambitions for this year and, if we keep improving like we are, we will be on to something special.”

The 2XV must also start strongly as they compete in a reformatted Caledonia Midlands Region League Division 3.

They aim to progress out of their mini-conference into the top end of the league.

Soon the effects of the