Rugby Union: Stoke could take time to click, says skipper Chris Rowley

CHRIS Rowley says Stoke are capable of mounting a promotion challenge, but warns it could take them time to click into gear.

They finished fifth last season in their first year in Midlands One West.

An away trip to Hereford on Saturday launches Stoke’s new campaign, although they are being forced to negotiate the first month without several key players.

And that poses a stern challenge for skipper Rowley and his players as Kenilworth, Lichfield and Malvern also lie in wait in the opening weeks.

 

“We are still looking for a couple of players to help us cope with injuries and unavailability early on,” said Rowley.

“We have at least 10 players missing for what is a tough set of fixtures in September.

“It’s going to be a mixed team each week at the start, but things should get easier as we head into October.

“Hopefully we can do OK in the first month and not leave ourselves with too much to do.

“I’d back us to match anyone with a full-strength squad, but it could take us six weeks before we get to that situation.”

However, the absence of several senior stars presents an opportunity for the club’s younger talent to shine.

Stoke are under the watchful eye of a new head coach in Simon Jones, who works as the RFU’s development officer for the East Midlands.

Rowley says the training sessions, plus pre-season wins against Bowden and Vale of Lune have left them in good heart.

“Simon came in observing last season, but has taken on the role this year,” he added.

“Tom Hughes and Tim Wood are working under him, while Steve Currie has been doing some specialist scrum coaching, which was an area we needed to improve on.

“We’ve had a lot of the colts with us in pre-season and there’s been up to 40 players at first-team training.

“It’s a promising sign that we can incorporate them into the side, and we’ve got more depth.”

Rowley is confident Stoke can improve on last year’s finish, but believes there are several sides who will pose a threat to their ambitions of making the top two.

“Malvern will be strong. They were relegated from National Three South West last year and have been transferred into the Midlands,” he explained.

“Lichfield and Burton finished strongly last year and will be there or thereabout, while Kenilworth and Market Bosworth are both unknown quantities.

“But we ended last season well and if we can carry that momentum forward, then there’s no reason why we can’t be challenging for promotion.”

CHRIS TRAVERS

Rugby Union: Stoke could take time to click, says skipper Chris Rowley