WEYMOUTH & PORTLAND Rugby Club are set to make history today, as the first XV kick-off their Dorset & Wilts Division Two South season at neighbours Puddletown (3pm).

Since announcing their new name and plans for a fresh structure in the off-season, the Monmouth Avenue outfit have been gearing up for the campaign, and club secretary Chris Davis believes that today’s encounter is just a small part of a promising new era for the club.

“It should be a good game and we have a good line-up this season,” he told Echosport.

“Puddletown are a friendly side, we wish them all the best for the season but hopefully we can get a good result.

“With the squad we have got, it should be a pretty good season. Steve Nation-Granger is looking ready to go and under our captain Kevin Leatham, it should be a good year.

“I’d like to think that we could finish in the top two or three, I reckon it will be between us, East Dorset and Bridport.”

Looking at the long-term aspirations for the club, Davis added: “We have introduced a broader structure to try and build the senior squad up as much as we can and keep recruiting the minis and youths, and we are now more involved with the local schools again.

“The main thing for us this year is to make sure we keep all three teams out playing rugby and build for the future, anything else that comes is a bonus.”

Also in Dorset & Wilts Division Two South, Swanage & Wareham Seconds head to the county town to face Dorchester Seconds (3pm).

The two clubs will also pit their wits against each other in the Southern Counties South Division at Bestwall, as the Dorchester first XV lock horns with the Swans’ first XV (3pm).