Staines RFC have much in common with their counterparts at Staines Football Club, playing at similar levels in their respective sport league structures and both narrowly missing out on promotion last season.

Having been pipped by well-funded Jersey in a close away encounter, the rugby club will be determined to go one better this time round.

In addition, both clubs had great cup runs, Staines RFC losing out at the quarter-final stage to Birkenhead Park, a strong north-west outfit who went on to the final at Twickenham.

Staines are determined to secure promotion back to London League One 1 in the new campaign, with most of last season's team staying with the club.

With a sense of unfinished business high on the agenda, the club are keen to strengthen their first team squad and welcome new players of any standard.

Staines RFC also run a highly competitive second XV, who are very much part of the first XV set-up; a more social but no-less-competitive fourth XV and an U18 development XV, through which Staines' rich resources of talented youth players will progress to the senior sides.

Training has started on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, new players are welcome to just turn up from 7pm onwards to check out the impressive facilities and ambition on offer at the Reeves, Snakey Lane, Feltham.

Otherwise, interested players should contact director of rugby Bob Lawless or see stainesrugby.co.uk The London One season kicks off on Saturday, September 13 (3pm) with a home match against Chingford, one of their promotion rivals from last season.