This season to allow you, friends and supporters of Chinnor closer to what's going on behind scenes from a rugby perspective, this is the first of a regular monthly slot; the Director of Rugby ramblings that will hopefully allow you a little more insight to life as a player at Chinnor.

This coming season's squad is shaping into something really exciting as we welcome back the vast majority of last years boys, as well as a few old faces and a sprinkling of 2016 class newbies. I'm delighted we have such a strong retention list from the 23 man squad that resulted in such a fine second half of the season.

The only major loss is that of skipper James Tyas and Daz Oliver who are both venturing hand in hand to the sub tropical climate of Rotherham; we couldn't be happier for them, also hooking up with two former team mates, Jack Hayes and Toby Salmon.

We have also managed to turn four of last season's successful loan signings into permanent ones; Pirates boys Jay Tyak, Bertie Hopkin and Kieran Goss, not forgetting our BFG Nathan Hannay from Ealing Trailfinders who became an instant talisman!

We also welcome back Ricky Cano back from a season in N1 for Wharfedale.

This seasons new player recruitment started way back in January. As you all know from our previous announcement Richard Thorpe is working with me within the 1st XV and I'm particularly excited about this. I have known Richard for a long time; he is a great guy, very driven and will bring out the best in our boys, not to mention lead from the front on the pitch! I'm sure he won't appreciate me mentioning it but I remember a coffee with Richard in 2010 in my former Soho office when my father asked me to get him on an episode of 'The Only Way is Essex' - all in the name of P.R!!

Richard, or Thor from the Avengers, is a class coach and has coached as a side hobby throughout the whole of his pro career.His playing ability speaks for it self; not only has Richard played over 150 premiership games for Irish, Tigers and Welsh but he started against France in last years World Cup for Canada.

We will be announcing a small sprinkling of very exciting additions over the coming weeks as we lead into the new season, starting with Bevon Armitage, the eldest of the family of Armitage brothers - more to follow on Bev next week!

Finally we have a really well balanced pre season schedule that will test us for sure. Two National One run outs against Loughborough Students and Old Albanians (who demolished us at home at the start of the year) plus a lovely journey North to Harrogate who are in our Northern equivalent. I am informed it will be the first time in club history that we have met each other! Harrogate is a beautiful part of England so grab a hotel and make a weekend of it! Let's see as much black and white as possible to meet our new friends.

That's all for now....

Matt