Ashford Rugby Club coach Dai Fussell is looking to promote the club's young talent

By Andrew Gidley

Ashford Rugby Club are placing the emphasis firmly on youth this season as they prepare to kick-off their Kent 1 campaign at home against Old Olavians on Saturday.

New skipper Pete Walsh takes over from John Norman and will lead a side with an average age of 21, who warmed up with a 17-0 win over Maidstone 2nds last weekend.

Coach Dai Fussell said: "It was nice not to concede any points in the game, pre-season has gone well and all the boys have worked hard."

Ashford have decided to promote their own talent rather than recruit from outside and Fussell added: "We have a flourishing youth system at the club and want to push them through and see them make the transition to senior rugby."

Hague Construction will sponsor the first team, Distinct Connections will have their name on the second team shirts and Ball Contractors are supporting the thirds.

Scrum-half Ali Vant misses the first two weeks of the season with a knee injury.