THE Malvern Pirates have been entered into an U17 league with 25 other club teams from across the region covered by the North Midlands RFU.

The league will be broken down into five sub-divisions with the Malvern side taking its place in the Southern division, which is potentially the toughest of the five.

When the league programme kicks-off in September, the Malvern Pirates will be competing against Bromsgrove, Bredon, Droitwich, Evesham and Worcester for a top two position to be sure of promotion to a North Midlands U17s Premier league in January 2006 and a possible date as the North Midlands representatives at a national U17 rugby festival at Twickenham in May 2006.

Commenting on the U17 league, Gary Tolley, the Malvern Pirates head coach said: "This is what the squad and I have been building-up to over the past six years and providing the Pirates can remain together over the summer period and not get too distracted by other activities, we will be one of the favourites to challenge for the top spot in the league and a place at Twickenham in 2006.

"We currently have a well motivated squad, full of character and cover for all positions, but that will not stop us from taking on new talent between now and September.

"We need to be at our strongest and fittest to win the U17 Southern Division and with strength in depth and a little fortune I believe we can do it."