CHESTER are expanding their facilities in anticipation of an explosion of interest in the game - the Wilkinson factor - following England's World Cup triumph.
They already have a successful youth development scheme at Hare Lane and have received planning permission to provide extra changing room accommodation for the youngsters who play and train there most weekends.
They are pursuing sponsorship to help pay for the improvements, which they claim are needed to make sure Chester makes the most of England's success.
'We have about 300 kids being coached on Sundays and this could increase to around 500,' predicted director of rugby Terry Allen.
'The country must make the most of this massive boost to the game and we want to make sure we play our part by encouraging as many local youngsters as possible.
'We would really like the game played in more schools and, hopefully, we could cream off the talent.'
Ideally, Chester would like to celebrate the World Cup success by winning promotion to the National League this season.
This ambition would be given a huge boost tomorrow if they could win at North One leaders Bradford and Bingley.
'It's a tall order,' admitted Allen. 'I saw them at Caldy recently and they are a very good side. The fact they lost their un-beaten record to Sheffield last Saturday shows they are vulnerable, but on the other hand we could feel the backlash.
'But if there is a game our lads are going to be up for, it's this one. We played some great rugby last weekend in beating Aspatria, who have struggled this season, but we always seem to raise our game against the better teams.
'Even if we lose, it won't be the end of the world, because our other promotion rivals, Cleckheaton and West Park St Helens, have to come to our place.'
For the first time this season, Chester are confident enough to name an unchanged 18, although there may be a doubt about player-coach Murray King, who has been unwell this week.
The team is: M Davies, Goulding, A Davies, Withers, Sanger, Hughes, Bellamy, Woods, B Foden, King, Parsley, Parry, Burke, Lyle, T Foden. Replacements: Ellis, Hedges, Norcross. Chester are through to the semi-finals of the Cheshire Cup after last Sunday's scheduled opponents, Old Anselmians, withdrew because of injury problems. Anyone interested in sponsoring Chester Rugby Club can get more information from Terry Allen on 01244 300138.
