THERE may have been a change of head coach at Chester RUFC but the aim remains the same.
Chester have narrowly missed out on promotion in the past two seasons, finishing third and second.
Now, under the young and ambitious Nic Corrigan, they will attempt to make it into National League Two North at the third attempt.
Corrigan, 29, has taken over as the club’s head coach after Dave Craven stepped down from the role because of work commitments.
Given his excellent pedigree – he has worked for the RFU, Rugby Football League and the British Olympic Association – Corrigan has been given a broad remit at Hare Lane.
But his main priority will be leading Chester to Three North title success.
Tim Doig, who remains the club’s director of rugby, said: “We’ve got to kick on.
“It’s not do-or-die that we go up but we’ve got the experience now, everything is in place, so we’ve got to kick on.”
Chester’s squad remains largely unchanged but there have been three key additions in areas Doig and his coaching team felt needed strengthening.
Winger Huw Grundy, who came up through the Mold RUFC youth ranks, has signed after playing semi-professionally for Llandovery in the Principality Premiership.
Flanker Mike Craven, son of Dave, has rejoined the club from National League Two South outfit Hartpury College.
Also making a welcome return is a member of the famous Chester team which won the EDF Energy Intermediate Cup at Twickenham four years ago.
Full-back Tom Foden, brother of England international Ben, is back on his old stomping ground after experience playing in the Championship with Rotherham Titans and Birmingham & Solihull Bees.
There were 35 players at training this week, in preparation for Saturday’s tricky league opener at Rossendale (3pm), and Doig believes the first team now has the strength in depth it has lacked in the past.
Chester romped to a 56-14 home victory over Altrincham Kersal in the Cheshire Cup last Saturday.
Pat Coy (3), William Bown, Grundy, Rhys Hayes, Sean Green and Lloyd Hayes shared the tries.
The Hayes brothers added the extras while Gav Hughes was man of the match.
