Cornish Pirates

Bedford Blues

The full Championship season may have only finished a month ago, but Bedford Blues players and coaches are all set to return to training this weekend in preparation for another gruelling campaign.

New fitness coach Jamie Bain has already given the lads their targets for the summer and after recharging the batteries, everyone is ready for the season ahead.

Director of rugby Mike Rayer said: "Jamie, who has spent the last year working under former Wales Strength and conditioning coach Mark Bennett at the Ospreys, has come on board and I'm looking forward to some new ideas.

"We saw against Exeter just how important strength and fitness is in our league. They were as strong and powerful as any team I have seen in our division and I include the likes of Harlequins and Northampton Saints in that.

"We are in the tough situation that we only train three times a week and we have a bridge to gap but I bet that the players are all bored out of their minds and champing at the bit to get back into training.

"I think that the target Jamie has is to get that little bit extra out of everyone. We know that all the teams in our league are very physical and we have to be prepared for that. We need to make sure that we have that extra one percent from everyone in the squad."

Bristol

Bristol have today confirmed that flanker Redford Pennycook is the latest player to leave the club after agreeing terms with Premiership side Newcastle Falcons.

After graduating from the club’s Academy Bristol born Pennycook made a total of 58 first team appearances and will join former team mate Luke Eves in the north east after his recent move from Bristol.

Story www.chroniclelive.co.uk

But on his way to the Memorial Ground despite the club’s failure to secure promotion back to the Premiership last season is Fijian international fly-half Nick Little.

Little told the Bristol Evening Post that he has sought reassurances from the club via his agent that his contract is still valid despite pay-cuts at the club and expects to link up for pre-season training next week.

He said: "I signed for two years and I plan to arrive at Bristol next week and do what I put my name down on the paper to do. I am not the sort of guy who pulls out of something because things go badly – that is not what I am about.

"When the guys lost to Exeter, I rang my agent straightaway and he said to Bristol, 'look, we have had this deal in place for four months – whether you are promoted or not'. My agent has since given me the reassurances I needed about the move to Bristol.

Full story www.thisisbristol.co.uk

London Welsh

New Welsh head coach Phil Greening has appointed former Scarlets back row Jonathan Mills as his club captain for the coming season.

The club has also announced a list of existing squad members who have re-signed for next season.

It includes Errie Claassens, Gordon Ross and former Cornish Pirates utility back Simon Whatling www.london-welsh.co.uk

Worcester Warriors

Another busy few days at Sixways have seen former Warriors stalwart Tony Windo named as new head coach at Stourbridge as the two clubs link-up to develop the best of Midlands based rugby talent.

The 41 year-old former England A prop said: “I’m keen to have a real impact at Stourbridge. It is an ambitious club that wants to progress into the Championship and I hope to play a big part in that process.

“The link up with Warriors will mean that young talent from Sixways can play at the club for the undoubted benefit of Stourbridge.

“I’m also looking forward to the new challenge of continuing to shape the Warriors scrum to be a force in the Championship and back in the top-flight.”

Story www.stourbridge-rugby.com/

On his way out of Sixways is backs and defence coach Billy McGinty after six years at the Warriors.

McGinty, a former Great Britain rugby league international and coach at Sale RFC, departs as new head coach Richard Hill continues his restructuring of the club’s playing and backroom staff.

Full story www.warriors.co.uk

The Warriors have also confirmed that they will play a pre-season friendly against Magners League side the Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday August 21^st (3pm).

Nottingham

Former England international Ben Johnston has committed to another year at Meadow Lane after signing a new deal.

The 32-year-old, who fulfils a dual role with the club as backs coach and centre, resigned for the Green & Whites earlier this week.

He joins new signings Cesar Sempere and James Arlidge in Nottingham's new look back line for 2010/11 along with Andy Savage, Jack Cobden, Dave Marshall, Tim Streather and Tim Usasz.