RUGBY chiefs are looking to start a new rugby league side in the Forest as soon as next season after Lydney RFC announced a partnership with the University of Gloucestershire All Golds.

The Cheltenham-based side will also entertain Hemel Stags in a Championship 1 clash next Wednesday at Regentsholme as the first step of the agreement.

The new club is yet to be named and would be based at Lydney, although First XV Manager Colin Henderson was keen to stress that it would be open to anyone from across the Dean.

"The initial objective for both sides is to create a Forest rugby league side. It's similar to what Old Patesians do in Cheltenham," he said.

Lionel Hurst, who is Chairman of the All Golds, was equally enthusiastic about the move.

"We have met key personnel at Lydney and we are planning a joint rugby project whereby both codes assist each other in many area which will include the launch of a summer Lydney rugby league side," he explained.

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