AS THE rugby season gets under way, four Medway clubs have exciting new names in their ranks.

Lordswood have a new coach, Paul Essenhagh. The former Medway, Maidstone and England Colts, 23s and Bs coach, takes charge of a relatively young side with an average age of 26 but is hoping this useful exuberance can push them into the London Leagues.

He said: "Lordswood is a young, developing club. I aim to provide the knowledge and experience needed to push the players and club beyond their current Kent 1 successes."

Gillingham Anchorians celebrate their 75th anniversary this season and are hoping to make it one to remember.

They have lost one valuable player, John Wilford, due to work commitments, but gained five new players in the shape of Nathan Young from Wales, Andre Heron from South Africa, Pat Miller local university student, John Pearce and Andre Boshoff both from New Zealand.

Medway will have a little help from their friends down under as they try to bounce straight back into Kent 1 after a dismal season last term.

The club were relegated last season but with Aussie inside centre Tim Montgomerie already among their ranks and two more on the way, hopes are high for an immediate return. They also welcome Dutch back row Richie Van Emmen into the side. Simon Shaw and Andy Petty also rejoin their ranks.

Old Williamsonians start with a new skipper in loose-head prop Chris Holroyd. Chris is one of the new youngsters at the Willies and is hoping for a successful campaign in Kent Division 3.

Players to look out for are the Morgan twins (Rob and Richard) and Martin Chandler who all play in the backs. These three players have all been around for a season or two now but have developed into fine players since joining the club.

It is really a changing of the guard at the Willies at the moment with several players with 20-year careers behind them notably Alan Brassell, Graham Richards and Sid Dimmick having to hang up their boots because of injury making way for the new breed of youngsters.