WITH Old Albanians pre-season series of matches coming to an end, coach Bruce Millar has declared that the senior men s squad is looking potentially the strongest of recent years. Saturday s warm up game at Peterborough which had followed an appearance

WITH Old Albanians' pre-season series of matches coming to an end, coach Bruce Millar has declared that the senior men's squad is looking potentially the strongest of recent years.

Saturday's warm up game at Peterborough which had followed an appearance in the final of the Tring Festival, had seen a number of last season's fringe players produce impressive performances to stake a big claim for future selection alongside the collection of new stars to Woollams.

Amongst the new players this season are Ben Murphy, a former Dunstablians hooker and ex-Watford RFC props Peter Nelson and Trevor Hickey.

OAs have also signed Simon Lye ex-Fullers/Centurions (8/6), Terry Adam ex-Esher (13), Aled Davies ex-Pontypridd (15/11), Tom Chesters England Students and Loughborough (15) while centre Ed Orchard is returning to the London One club after spells with Chinnor and Tabard.

Many OA favourites from last season will again feature for the club including Andy Clark, Adam Gelman, Adrian Summers, Andy Pearson, Arthur Mate, Dan Barnes, Alex Bennett, Dan Lennox-Hennessey, Harry Knighton, Sam Townsend, Paul Mansfield, Matt Alford, Jez Edwards, Joe Vassie, Rob Healey, Andy John, Richard Gregg, Mark Mansfield, Eddie Panting, Tryfan Edwards, Tom Lewis and Angus Simpson.

On Saturday at Woollams, OAs entertain a strong Division Two side from Dorking who are sure to be a big test having crushed Stevenage at the weekend.

The squad has, however, already picked up a number of small injuries that could limit a full range of selection options.

New faces expected to play are former Cambridge and Bedford backrower Henry Whitford and Chris May, ex-Altrincham and Manley.

Two Australian players from Sunnybank, in Queensland Red territory, are due to arrive this week to further strengthen the squad. Nathan Byrne a tight head prop and James Kriukelis a lock/6. Both players have been recommended by Saracens scrum half Moses Railuni.