Ellesmere Port RUFC kick off the new season this weekend with president Gordon Fenion optimistic the club can continue to progress in an important year for the sport.

The Oilers have advanced on and off the pitch over the past few seasons and, with England hosting this year’s Rugby World Cup, the club is hoping to welcome an influx of new players who have been inspired to take up the game.

With teams for minis, juniors, seniors and girls, the club wants to open its doors to anyone who wants to give the sport of rugby union a go.

"It’s a big year for the sport with the World Cup and we’ve made sure that the President’s Lounge at the club will be open for people to come and watch the England games," said Fenion.

"We want people to be able to come and experience the club atmosphere and we’re always looking for new players, coaches and volunteers across our teams."

The Oilers start the new season at Dunkirk on Saturday against Southport (3pm) in the first game of what should be an intriguing campaign before making the trip to Liverpool-based St Edward’s Old Boys next weekend.

Ellesmere Port were crowned South Lancs & Cheshire Division Three champions last term thanks to a storming run, culminating in a big win at home to Oldershaw on the final afternoon to clinch the title.

However, restructuring means the club will line up in the new Merseyside division rather than South Lancs & Cheshire Division Two, which has been replaced.

Fenion said: "We won promotion at the end of last season but in the interim there has been a restructure so that means we’re going to be playing a number of the same clubs.

"The squad is similar to last season’s with Jim Shinton as captain again and Lee Rennox is still with us, but we’re hoping to have a few returning too with Niall Grant and Jake Dibble coming back.

"We’ve had a couple of friendlies and the squad has looked good, but we would welcome some fresh faces particularly for the second team, which Paul Wilkinson will be running.

"We would like to think that we’ll still be competing at the top end, but there are some new clubs in there who we expect to push us a bit harder."

For more details about getting involved with the club whether as a player, coach or volunteer call 07760 780528.