MALVERN RFC training is now in full swing with the first game of the season at Spring Lane only two weeks away.

Malvern are looking forward to their second season in Midlands One and were boosted at the end of last season when they won the North Midlands Cup for the first time in their history.

However, attendance at training has been fragmented due to a mixture of annual holidays and long-term injuries.

Malvern director of rugby, Dave Robins, said: "I have been disappointed at the low numbers turning out for training at the last couple of sessions. However, as an amateur club, we can't dictate when players, especially those with families, take their holidays, unlike those semi-professional sides in our division.

"We have also been hit by injuries, with four players awaiting surgery on leg problems. This is an ideal time for those players on the fringes of the squad last year to put themselves in the limelight for selection.

"Our season kicks off on Saturday, August 24 with a home fixture against Cheltenham, a side we could only have dreamed of playing a few years ago. We then play in the qualifying round of the senior cup on Saturday, August 31 with another home fixture, against Laurentians who were pipped for promotion last season by Bromsgrove."

Training sessions are on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7pm at Spring Lane.