DIRECTOR of rugby Neil Shillingford says preparations at Dudley Kingswinford are well ahead of this time last season.

DK started their pre-season programme with a 33-12 success over Bromsgrove at Heathbrook last Friday.

Shillingford, who has bolstered his squad over the summer with a host of new recruits, is pleased with how the new-look side is shaping up.

He said: “The win over Bromsgrove was really good to see. The one big thing for me was that you can see all the things we have been working on the training paddock was transferred to the pitch.

“We are well ahead of the same time last year and are much stronger across the whole squad.”

DK have now added New Zealander Ewan Robinson to squad as well as promoting Tommy Walker and Joe Tight from the club’s Colts side.

They add to the returning Liam Marshall and pack players Keiron Williams and Dan Marsh.

Shillingford has also recruited winger Dave Pitt from Walsall.

“Selection-wise, nothing is set in stone,” added the coach.

“The players have the chance to force their way into the starting line-up now. It will come down to how they perform in training each week and the remaining friendly games.”

DK will host Silhillians this Friday (6.45pm kick-off) before last season’s Midland One West champions Bridgnorth arrive at Heathbrook on August 27.

That game had been set for an away test for DK but has now been changed to another home fixture due to an event at Severn Park.

Shillingford is aiming for his side to be challenging at the top of Midlands One West this term, saying: “It is going to be a very competitive division again this season but I want to be challenging at the top.

“I was happy with our mid-table finish last season but now it is important we build on that and progress again.

“We have a much bigger squad this season and can hopefully get off to a good start.”

DK will start their season at Sutton Coldfield on September 3 before hosting Whitchurch a week later.

  • Dudley's James Ryan is set for a taste of international rugby in a sevens tournament for the Philippines Under-18s.

The 16-year-old, who plays for DK and will be joining Old Swinford Hospital School in September, will feature for the Philippines national team in a multi-nation competition in Taiwan from August 26.

Ryan is already in Taiwan after playing in an adult competition, which included top club sides. He featured for the Mindinao Durians scoring two tries and being voted the overall player of the tournament.

Based on this performance he has been invited to play for the Philippine under-19 team in a tournament in December and also for the Philippine National Development Team in a two match series against Hong Kong.