PEEBLES RFC first team coach Ewen Robbie said the team is "looking good", and will look to make their mark when they face big spenders and local rivals Biggar on the opening weekend of the season.

The club who are in the BT National League Division two are midway through their pre-season training and are hoping to continue the turnaround to get back into Division one.

Speaking to the Peeblesshire News Robbie said: "Pre-season is going well. We're going into the third week now and the lads are working hard.

"We are looking forward to next season. We have the same backbone and continuity and are aiming to finish as high as possible.

"Biggar will be a tough game, there's no two ways about it, because I'm told they have recruited heavily. But it's a home game and we've got our systems and ethics already in place," he added.

"We have been really positive and have only dropped one point after Christmas at home."

The club are also working on getting some fresh faces in the ranks themselves and have also had new additions to the coaching staff.

Robbie said: "We have managed to recruit a few guys that will be ready for August. We've brought in Callum Leckie from Ireland who will be our Academy Manager as well as player. He's played at a good level for Belfast Quinns and was nominated for Ulster's club player of the year. He's a good quality player.

"Andy McLean the ex-Gala lad has joined to help with the coaching and we're aiming to build a sustainable team.

"It's looking good. We've brought other coaches in to help with the strength and conditioning of the players, but we know there's still work to do," he added.

"We still need to recruit but we won't fire loads of money out, because we know that wouldn't be good for the club. We have to work towards the constraints of the club. We want to be sustainable."

Robbie also expressed how important the development of youngsters are to the club.

He said: "We are focused on developing rugby players here. We need longevity. Every Colt played a game for the senior team last year, so it gives the young players a chance.

"All we want to do is create an enjoyable atmosphere and are very much looking to develop rugby player. 

"We want to get people into rugby and let them enjoy the sport," he added.
Anyone who is interested in getting involved with the club can visit the website: http://www.peeblesrfc.org/

Peebles play two home fixtures in the opening month of the campaign. Peebles' opening fixtures for the 2016/17 season are as follows:
September: Sat 3 at 3pm vs Biggar (H); Sat 10 at 3pm vs GHK (A); Sat 17 at 3pm vs Androssan Academicals (A) and Sat 24 at 3pm vs Kelso RFC (H)
The away clash against Biggar will be on Saturday, December 10 starting at 2pm.