Kidderminster Carolians have started pre-season training in earnest.

They have switched from Tuesday and Thursday nights to Mondays and Wednesdays for the time being. Training starts at 7pm, and potential new players are welcome to come along.

One face will be missing as coach Ross Baxter has left to take up another position with the RFU, but an old face returns in the shape of Ian Bletcher.

Bletcher spent four seasons as coach at Marlpool Lane prior to Baxter's appointment. Those seasons were extremely succesful, with the club being promoted twice and finishing in the top four on the other two occassions.

KCs Director of Rugby Phil Knowles said: "I have always retained my friendship with Bletch, and he has offered to help as a coaching consultant for the club.

"He is at present on the coaching staff at Coventry and still works for the RFU as a regional development officer.

"However, he has attended our training sessions and believes three experienced players, Ian Stooksbury, Richard Ellis, and former club captain Adrian Taft, can assume the role of coaches under his guidance.

"All three have the ability and interest in the club to make the project a success."

Chairman of Rugby will be Stuart Eades. Together with Phil Knowles, he will endeavour to keep rugby on an upward curve in Kidderminster.

The club had a good 2002-03 campaign, but due to injuries could not reach the final promotion spot. They will all be trying to correct that this time around.

The second team were winners of the newly-created Merit Table organised by the Worcestershire & Herefordshire RFU and this will help to raise the playing standards of up and coming players.

The season opens with a friendly at Ledbury on September 6.