AHEAD of their opening match in London 2 South-West this Saturday, promoted Farnham played a squad fixture at Haywards Heath Rugby Club last weekend.

Haywards Heath, promoted last season into the equivalent London 2 South-East, is the home club of Harlequins players Ross and James Chisholm, the new head and forwards coaches respectively at Farnham. They fill the considerable boots of Matt Shields who helped take the club to the league and cup double last season.

Under newly appointed director of rugby Gary Stennet, the Chisholm brothers will work with Andy James and Jamie Salmon. These club stalwarts will continue to provide match-day coaching while the Quins players fulfill their club duties.

“The brothers have come in and done a brilliant job in pre-season,” said new 1st XV skipper Andy Naisbitt. “They’ve challenged us to build on our structures and play more intelligent rugby. I’m confident we’ll see the hard work we have put in bear fruit in the season to come.”

A fortnight ago, Farnham had an evening’s pre-season session with London & South-East Premiership club Guildford. After a series of drills for forwards and backs – the former under the expert eye of Lions prop Kyle Sinkler – a 30-minute practice match saw Farnham hold their own against a side two leagues above them.

At Haywards Heath, after 90 minutes of intense rugby, Heath ran out winners in a close-fought game.

“The coaches were pleased with our performance, and rightly so,” said Naisbitt. “It’s a privilege to be asked to lead this talented bunch of players. London 2 South-West is a tough league – as those who played there during our last visit three years ago will testify. We didn’t hit our straps until the back half of that season and that’s why we came back down. We shouldn’t have that problem this year.”

• Farnham host Andover in their first league match (ko 3pm at Monkton Lane).

• Petersfield, promoted back to London 3 South-West, are home to Teddington (3pm at Penns Place).

• Alton play their first Hampshire 2 fixture on September 23 when they make the short trip to Farnborough.

FIXTURES

Saturday, September 9

English Clubs Championship: London 2 South-West

Farnham v Andover

KCS Old Boys v Camberley

London 3 South-West

Basingstoke v New Milton

Petersfield v Teddington

Hampshire 1

Alresford v Isle of Wight