TRAFFORD MV's preparations are well underway as the new season looms closer.

Confidence is high in the camp as training has been well attended and fitness levels are reaching their peak.

The first team squad are making the most of an intense training weekend in the Lake District with fell running and mountain biking on the agenda as well as the obvious rugby based training - the weekend will also serve as a bonding exercise as new squad members are introduced to their team mates.

The seasons forays begin against local opponents Bowdon on Sat August 31 with two sides being fielded - both at MV's MacPherson Park.

Hopefully by this stage skipper Mark Hodgson will have put the final pieces of his jigsaw together as the following weekend sees a tough encounter at Didsbury Toc H, the opening league fixture.

MV have learned this week that their opponents in the first round of the NPI Cup will be the powerful Blackburn side - the fixture will be at Blackburn on September 21.

Throughout the season club coach Greg Hawkins will be looking at the talent of the Colts XV, many of whom will be coming of age and will be open to selection for the senior sides.

The talent in this age group has been impressive over the past couple of seasons and the benefits of the club's junior policy may now be seen.

This talent was evident over the summer as Phil Nilson and Ben Lloyd both travelled on tour with Rishworth Rugby Academy to Singapore, Malaysia and Australia.

Both players were exceptional on the trip and Lloyd in particular earned his reward by being selected for the Team England junior training programme and also being offered a contract by Sale Sharks - another of Trafford's MV's success stories!

MV welcome new players of all ages and abilities and hope that a new local interest may have been stirred by the resounding success of the Commonwealth Games and in particular the rugby sevens, which played to full houses at the close of the Games.

Training takes place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 6-30pm at the club, and anyone interested can contact 0161 973 7061 for more information.