CINDERFORD director of rugby Nic Corrigan says this Saturday’s warm-up against Merthyr is an opportunity for his players to show what they’ve learned in pre-season training so far.

The Welsh team travel to Dockham Road for Cinderford’s first match ahead of the 2015/16 National One season, and Corrigan’s concern is less on results and more on checking the progress made with players new and returning.

Under the guidance of Corrigan, the Foresters have seen a number of new signings joining the club over the summer and have relocated their training centre from Hartpury to Oxtalls Campus as part of a new partnership with the University of Gloucestershire.

Similarly, Merthyr will make the trip to Dockham Road with most of their new signings including second row Craig Locke from Pontypridd, scrum half Rhys Downes from Ebbw Vale, full back/fly half Matthew Jarvis from Conaught, out half Dannagh McNamara from Munster academy and most notably Andy Powell.

Former British Lions and Welsh international Powell joined Merthyr at the start of the summer and the Welsh side’s supporters will surely be expecting him to impress in his first game in green.

“We are looking more at ourselves in this game and I am expecting players to demonstrate their learning from what the coaches have focused on in preseason training so far,” Corrigan said.

“The main part for me is looking to get some shape to how we want to play for this season.

“Results don’t mean that much in preseason, however we are returning to a renovated clubhouse and we are looking forward to coming home to our supporters.”

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