All the News and Events

The key thing we will be looking for is reliability. If we select one player ahead of another we expect that player to turn up on time, fully fit, and in club kit to play.
 
Another criteria will be commitment. So if you cannot be relied upon to attend training on Tuesdays and Thursdays then we can only assume that you cannot be relied upon to play either. Such a consideration will come ahead of even matters such as ability - better to select a club-level player who always turns up come rain or shine rather than a county or regional star who has problems getting out of bed some mornings.

Beyond that other factors will be taken into account, including (order of priority):
 
Training. We know that as an amateur player you sometimes have other constraints on your time, such as family and work commitments. But at the same time we know who have reasonable excuses like these and those that do not. Attendance at training shows more commitment to the team and to improving your own abilities, and both will be rewarded.
 
Position. We need every position on the field to be filled. If the "vacancy" in the team is for a winger and the choice is between a forward and a back then it’s reasonably clear who will be picked. Moral - be flexible, try new things. The more positions you can play in the more likely you are to be selected.
 
Opposition. We will sometimes need to select on the ‘horses for courses’ basis. This means that the composition of the side may vary from week to week.
 
Performance and Ability. In general what we primarily aim to do is be as successful as possible. As a player you need to ensure you maintain high standards and perform to your maximum capabilities. If you do not you may be considered for one of the club feeder teams. Given the youthful squad, we will try to give an opportunity for as many young players to play as much rugby as possible, regardless of actual playing ability. Apart from the League Programme, development opportunities will exist via friendlies etc. and youth players will be selected, where - ultimately - the experience of playing will be remembered long after the actual result has been forgotten. But in the end - if all else is equal - selection is most likely to going to go to the stronger player.
 
So the more training you attend the more likely you are to play, and furthermore the more likely you are to play in the position that you prefer - because you can be relied upon, because you will show commitment, but also because you will become a better player in that position.
 
The less training you attend the more likely it is that you will be a substitute or - if you do play - the more likely it is that you will be asked to slot into where a vacancy happens to be rather than where you would want to be.
 
 
Dai Fussell, Tony Kendall and Neil Crossley-Roberts