The London Men’s Premier Division will be home to the Medway Dragons’ first grade this season.

A league restructuring has handed the Dragons a tough assignment but it’s one the club are ready to tackle head on.

Head coach Rob Powell helped guide the team to South East Premier Grand Final championship last season and hopes to see further progress this year.

Powell said: “It will be harder this season. It’s not technically a promotion but it will be a more difficult league.

“Most of the stronger teams have come into the Premier Division.

“Because of our performance last season and winning the Grand Final, we’ve been asked to enter the league as well. Last year it was one where the club drove forward and gave it a go.”

Powell was a surprise appointment last summer, having previously spent time in the Super League with Harlequins and London Broncos.

The Dragons have ambitious plans, however, although Powell insists the progress needs to be gradual.

He said: “The club aspire to be playing semi professionally in a few years.

“There is a massive jump between the leagues we are playing in and the semi-pro level. When you get to that standard, you begin to pay players and it’s a bigger deal in terms of a business.

“We probably achieved what we wanted last year but this season is going to be a lot tougher. It’s a proper league but we’re on an upward curve and looking to continue that drive forward.”

Read the full story in Friday's Medway Messenger