New Rivals, New Challenges, but Same Smiths Spirit.

A message from Club Captain, John Bryant ahead of the new season.

Smiths Rugby Celebrate with 1st Team at Twickenham, Allianz Stadium after the Papa Johns Final.

As we look forward to the 2025-26 season, our starting point is the end of our last season.

A month or so of knock-out rugby saw us take on a very strong Dings Crusaders side in a promotion playoff before taking some major scalps on our way to the final of the Papa Johns Cup at Twickenham, Allianz Stadium.

For me, the disappointments of missing out on promotion and losing the final at Twickenham were countered by the amazing support we had both home and away. Seeing so many proud club members and supporters living every minute with us shows where we are as a club - together.

To this season and the challenge of a more competitive Counties 2 Gloucestershire League for our 1st Team, following the merging of the top 6 from the North and South divisions last year. A chance to form new rivalries, such as Frampton Cotterell and St Mary's Old Boys, meet old sparring partners like Old Elizabethans and keep local derbies versus Cheltenham North and Old Patesians, giving us big match days week after week. Both squads will need some of that noisy Smiths support come September!

As we come to the end of preseason (my 23rd I think!), we've added a few new faces to the playing squad. Not least player/coach George Angell. His knowledge of the breakdown and lineout, particularly, will ensure Smiths armoury keeps enhancing.

Another measure of Smiths' success has been our United (2nd XV) side. Entering the league structure for the first time last year, they finished a credible 6th in their league, including finishing above a couple of first teams.

This season will be even tougher than last year for United, with the other 2nd teams in the league, such as Matson and Longlevens, having their 1st teams playing 2 or 3 leagues above our own 1st Team. Others in Counties 4 Gloucestershire North League include Ross-on-Wye and Cheltenham Civil Service, who Smiths 1st XV were playing not so long ago. A competitive 2nd team league is just what we want, though our standards will need to be high, and this will push development across the club. With physio and coaching support on hand, the United team are set for a great season.

And lastly, for me, the most exciting aspect of 2025-26 is going to be Smiths' first junior side. We are incredibly lucky to have such a great bunch of Under 15 lads, coaches and supporters becoming part of the club. From performances on the pitch to the commitment and support off it, every indication is that they are already a great part of the club. We are also excited about joining up with Tag Trojans, who will be running sessions for kids age 4-8.

My experience since joining Smiths has been of an inclusive, welcoming, family club, and we continue to work on those values.

Welcome back, and best of luck to all for the new season.