THORNBURY Rugby Club have revealed their next captain ahead of the new season, writes Dave Fox. 

New skipper for Thornbury rugby club James Wood will succeed Luke Panting as Thornbury’s First XV captain for the 2024/25 season.

Elected at the club’s June AGM, the 28 year-old second row had been identified as a future club captain many years ago and having endured several injury-ravaged seasons he returned to the senior squad at the end of last season.

A vocal and inspirational player he has ambitions of getting Thornbury promoted during his time as captain.

(Image: Thornbury Rugby Club) Also at the AGM the other club captains were re-elected.

Laura Panting and Sadie Giles are co-captains of the Women’s team whilst Harry Woolf continues as Second XV captain and Stuart Adams remains the captain of the Thirds/Vandals/Veterans Team.

Away from the field the committee was re-elected except for Membership where former Chairman Dave Baines stood down after several seasons to be succeeded by Nigel Stolliday, who had been helping out throughout the season.

The men’s senior coaching team remains in place but the Women’s Head coach, Bee Mocellin, has stood down.

Thornbury are looking for a new Women’s XV Head Coach.

Thornbury First XV league includes Weston-super-Mare, who were relegated from the division above, and Gloucester club Longlevens, who were promoted from the level below, plus Stow-on-the-Wold and Witney who were moved sideways from parallel leagues.

The first league matches start on Saturday September 7th at home to Longlevens.

Pre-season training gets underway in July.

Some pre-season fixtures have been arranged. The First XV is home to Lydney on Friday August 16th then travel to Lichfield in Staffordshire on the 31st for a rugby extravaganza where the Women’s XV and Colts also have fixtures.