Perthshire challenged to improve and progress every week as excitement builds for start of new rugby season

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Perthshire head coach Graham Smith will challenge his players to make progress every week and fulfil their optimum potential this season.The Eagles kick-off their National League 4 campaign this Saturday with a trip to the capital to face familiar opposition in Murrayfield Wanderers.The pre-season report is a positive one and, with a strong core including a spluttering of new arrivals, it is all systems go for the curtain-raiser.Smith, known to many as Smudge, is embarking on his first year in charge of the men’s first team as well as holding the director of rugby role.“It is great to be part of the club - and a club that has a lot of potential,” Smith explained to the PA. “It is exciting to see where we can go.“Pre-season has been good, well-attended and the boys have enjoyed it.

They have made progress and we have a strength and conditioning coach now who is working scientifically behind the scenes.“We were doing testing the other day and the boys have all improved their scores.

They have all bought into a slightly different approach to how we go about things.“The majority of the boys are still here and we have some back from other clubs.”Shire played alongside opening-game opponents Murrayfield in the National League 3 last term.Smith has emphasised the importance of not placing too much focus on what the opposition may or may not be capable of.“We are not really focused on other people,” he said. “We’re focused on what we do.“If we do what we do well, we can succeed and make progress week in, week out.“You hear snippets about other teams but, in this game, everyone is doing the same.

Scrambling for players, trying to play games and get ready for the season.“I’m expecting a good season. It is a restructured league and